Our Voice - Spring 2018

LONGHURST GROUP CUSTOMER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

INSIDE… NEW AND IMPROVED REPAIRS SERVICE COMMUNITY BOOK SWAP SPRUCE UP YOUR CV

DIGGING DEEP TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES Longhurst Group is doing its bit for the environment in Peterborough.

Read more on pages 6–7.

In the picture…

Staying fit and active – more on page 12

CONTENTS In this issue…

4–7 8–9 10–11 12–13 14–15 16–17 18–19 Back

News from around Longhurst Group Home from Home News from around Longhurst Group Health and Wellbeing Around our Way News from around Longhurst Group Customer Stories Competition Time

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longhurstgroup.org.uk /FriendshipCandH /LandHHomes /spirehomes @longhurstgroup communications@longhurst-group.org.uk

LONGHURST GROUP CUSTOMER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

HELLO and welcome to the fourth edition of Our Voice – Longhurst Group’s customer magazine.

To coincide with the beginning of Spring – yes, the better weather is just around the corner – this edition is packed with good news stories from across the Group as well as plenty of tips and advice.

Whether you are an Axiom, Friendship Care and Housing, Spire Homes or Longhurst and Havelok Homes customer, there’s something for everyone inside this magazine.

We’ve got plenty of news to share with you about our exciting development plans from around the group, as well as a special feature on one of our project managers, who has just overseen the completion of an impressive new development just meters away from his childhood home!

There are also stories from around the communities we support, including how we’ve helped to keep an estate reading with the launch of a new community book swap, as well as the usual tips and advice to help you find work and training.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and we look forward to bringing you the next edition later in the year.

In the meantime, on behalf of Longhurst Group, I hope you and your family have a fantastic spring and summer; fingers crossed for some sunny weather!

Matt Dannatt

4. NEWS

UNIQUE COLLABORATION TO DELIVER 40,000 NEW HOMES AS part of a ground-breaking alliance of 15 housing associations, Longhurst Group will help the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority deliver up to 40,000 affordable homes over the next 20 years.

The unique collaboration, called Homes for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, will use a grant of £170m to deliver the homes.

This investment follows a devolution deal negotiated by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in March 2017 which has given them greater powers to run their area.

Also supported by the National Housing Federation, the alliance will

build mixed tenure properties, including affordable housing, within what is the first devolved authority to have been allocated a specific grant.

Using part of the £170m grant, a commitment has been made to deliver at least 2,000 additional affordable homes by 2021.

These properties will help tackle a housing crisis that sees Cambridge ranked the third most expensive place to buy a home in the region with average house prices almost 17 times higher than the average local salary.

One of the UK’s leading developers, Longhurst Group was rated in the top 30 of Inside Housing’s Biggest Builders survey.

As part of our ambitious growth plans,

the Group is committed to building more than 3,000 mixed tenure homes over the next five years.

Julie Doyle, Chief Executive of Longhurst Group, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of Homes for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

“This progressive and innovative approach will help us deliver a range of quality, affordable homes in areas that desperately need them.

“By working together with other housing associations and the local authority, with the support of the National Housing Federation, the alliance will be able to make a real contribution to solving the housing crisis and improving people’s lives.

NEWS .5

Labour MP for Peterborough, Fiona Onasanya, right, and Longhurst Group’s Executive Director of Housing Services Sharon Guest

MP MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH AXIOM MEETING

“As a founding member of the Blue Skies Consortium and through delivering high-standard joint venture developments with a number of valued partners, we know how just successful working in collaboration can be.

“As we get closer to realising more of our ambitious plans for the future, I look forward to seeing the results of this fantastic alliance.”

The other housing associations involved in the alliance are Accent, Aldwyck Housing Group, bpha, CHS Group, Clarion Housing, CKH, Flagship Group, Hastoe Group, Havebury Housing Partnership, Hundred Houses Society, Hyde, Luminus Group, Metropolitan and Sanctuary Group.

Between them, they own and manage 48,277 homes in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area, add almost £100m to the local economy and support over 1,000 jobs.

As part of this new deal, they will match every £1 of the Combined Authority’s investment with up to £6 of their own.

PETERBOROUGH MP Fiona Onasanya spent this year’s International Women’s Day attending her first ever meeting with representatives of Longhurst Group.

The Labour MP paid a visit to Axiom’s head offices in Peterborough, where she met with Executive Director of Care and Business Partnerships, Louise Platt and Executive Director of Housing Services, Sharon Guest.

They discussed the work of Axiom and Longhurst Group in the region and how all parties can work together in the future.

She said: “After meeting with Longhurst Group and Axiom, I have to say, I’m very impressed,” “It was fantastic to hear what we, as politicians, can do to help housing associations to achieve their aims and provide the homes and services that our communities need.

“It’s absolutely paramount that we work together in this way to fix the housing crisis that we have in the country.

“We, as politicians, can sit there and say we think housing associations

should be doing, but really, what should really happen is that we speak to the people on the ground and see what can do to support and help.

“I found it a very productive and helpful meeting – on International Women’s Day, too – sisters doing it for themselves!”

Ms Onasanya also voiced her support for Longhurst Group’s Bretton Woods development, which she says is ‘much-needed’ affordable homes for Peterborough.

The scheme will create 68 new homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

The £7.6million project, which began in July last year and is expected to be completed by February 2019, is the first undertaken by Axiom since the provider joined the Group.

She added: “I think Bretton Woods sounds like an absolutely fantastic development. It’s brilliant that we’re getting more homes in Peterborough.”

“It’s creating a brilliant asset for the community, providing affordable homes for people and families who need it, through shared ownership or affordable rent – it makes complete sense and I welcome it.”

6. NEWS

Longhurst Group’s Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager, Emma Basham and EHS officers Guy Holwell and Elaine Horrocks plant trees at the West Raven Community Garden, Peterborough.

WE’RE DIGGING DEEP FOR PETERBOROUGH PROJECT LONGHURST Group is proud to be doing its bit for the environment in Peterborough after pledging to plant 300 trees in the city.

The Group – which contains Peterborough-based Axiom Housing Association – has made the donation as part of the Peterborough City Environment Trust’s (PECT) Forest for Peterborough project, which aims to plant one tree for every person living in the city.

The 300 trees which the Group will plant will offset the total amount of printed pages used across the organisation in 2016/17.

Guy Holwell, Environment, Health and Safety Officer at Longhurst Group said: “We think this is a fantastic step towards greening our ‘environmental footprint’ and it helps put into context

just how much paper we use as a Group.

“We recognise that paper use is one of our biggest impacts that we can actively help reduce, so we see this donation as a great way of giving back to the natural habitat and helping to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.”

Colleagues from Longhurst Group’s Environmental, Health and Safety team planted the trees as part of the Investors in the Environment accreditation scheme’s tree planting day, which saw more than 60 fruit and hedge trees planted in Peterborough’s West Raven Community Garden.

“It was a very cold morning, but as we began digging, we all soon warmed up and really enjoyed the activity and hearing about the Forest for Peterborough project!” added Emma Basham, Longhurst Group’s Environment, Health and Safety

It was great seeing how a bare patch of land could be transformed in a couple of hours with the help of the local community.

Emma Basham, Environment, Health and Safety Manager, Longhurst Group Manager. “It was great seeing how a somewhat bare patch of land could be transformed in just a couple of hours

NEWS .7 ,

I am thrilled to have this opportunity to build upon the strong foundations within the group and steer the care and support services into a robust and sustainable future.

Louise Platt

NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR LONGHURST GROUP LONGHURST Group is delighted to announce the addition of Louise Platt to its Executive team.

with the help of the local community.

“In a few years’ time the trees will start to bear fruit which can be used by the local community so all in all it’s a great little project to have taken part in.”

So far, the scheme’s 3,142 volunteers have helped to plant 100,000 trees, with 1,200 tonnes of carbon being reduced.

Simon Balham, Forest for Peterborough Project Officer, added: “We are extremely grateful for Longhurst Group’s involvement in the Forest for Peterborough project.

“Their generous donation not only enabled fruit trees to be bought for The West Raven Community Garden, which will be a real benefit to the local community, but they also helped us plant them. PECT is an ambitious project, but the help and support from Longhurst Group has moved us ever closer to reaching that goal.”

Louise, who was previously the Director of Corporate Services at Axiom Housing Association, became the Group’s Executive Director of Care and Business Partnerships in November.

The move came as the Group began the implementation of a new business development strategy for care and support and follows the decision of Executive Director, Jonathan Driffill, to leave his current position. Jonathan will remain with the Group until 2019, undertaking the role of Executive Director of Partnerships.

A senior executive with over 21 years’ experience at Board level of FTSE 500 and not-for-profit organisations, Louise officially started her new role on October 16, 2017. Louise has been working in housing, and at Axiom, for 13 years.

During that time, Louise acted as Axiom’s Joint Chief Executive for over a year, helped the organisation achieve Investors in People Gold Standard and multiple Sunday Times Top 100 listings, and also played a leading role in the successful negotiation and completion of the merger with Longhurst Group.

Longhurst Group Chief Executive,

Julie Doyle, said: “Not only does Louise possess a great depth of understanding of the challenges faced by the care and support areas of our business, she is also a passionate advocate of the Longhurst Group values.

“After Axiom joined the Group last year, care and support now account for over 20 per cent of the Group’s turnover and 80 per cent of our staff.

Louise’s expertise in these, as well as many other areas, will help us deliver our new care and support ambitions and realise what promises to be a very exciting future.”

Axiom Housing Association officially joined Longhurst Group in July 2017, after the partnership between the two organisations was formally agreed in March.

Louise Platt said: “Having worked within the Axiom Executive team for 13 years, I have shared and admired the passion and commitment of colleagues to providing quality care and support services to some of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

It really demonstrates our vision of making a difference and Improving Lives.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to build upon the strong foundations within the group and steer the care and support services into a robust and sustainable future.”

8. HOME FROM HOME

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW AND IMPROVED REPAIRS SERVICE FROM the end of March, customers living in Friendship Care & Housing, L&H Homes and Spire Homes properties will receive a new and improved repairs service.

We are thrilled to have appointed Wates Living Space to deliver this service and take the opportunity to align repairs contracts across the Group.

Wates Living Space will manage all of your phone calls and online queries directly, meaning that when you report your repair, you can book an appointment that works for you.

Once you have reported your repair, you will receive a text message confirming your appointment. Wates will also send you a reminder text the day before your appointment.

From May, you will be able to use My Account to report your repairs and choose an appointment slot that is convenient to you.

To prepare for this new and improved service, from Thursday 15 March, all calls will be reviewed and prioritised. Nonurgent repairs may not be actioned until April. However, Wates Living Space will start contacting residents from Friday 23 March to book appointments for these repairs.

From 5pm on Thursday 29 March until 8am on Thursday 5 April, your phone calls will be answered by the Wates Living Space out of hours’ service. You will only be able to report emergency repairs during this period.

In keeping with our usual approach, an emergency only repairs service will be run over the Easter bank holiday weekend, which falls between Friday 30 March and Monday 2 April.

An emergency only service will be

REPORTING A REPAIR L&H Homes customers If you are an L&H Homes customer, your calls will be answered

by Wates Living Space from the beginning of April.

Friendship Care & Housing and Spire Homes customers FCH and Spire Homes customers will be able to report repairs in the same way as before, by dialling one of the numbers below and then pressing 1.

Friendship Care & Housing customers 0300 123 1745 Spire Homes customers Call 0300 123 66 11

extended either side of this weekend to enable Wates Living Space to provide training to those working on this new service and to ensure it is ready to go live on Friday 6 April, 2018.

It’s important to remember that there are two types of repair - emergency and routine. This new service will lead to all repairs being resolved as soon as

possible within 21 days, with the aim of a ‘first time fix’, to ensure minimum inconvenience to you.

So, from the end of March, look out for our jointly branded vans and remember to always ask to see ID from a Wates Living Space representative before allowing them into your home.

If you have any questions, please get in touch: Friendship Care & Housing customers 0300 123 1745 ƀƀ friendship@longhurst-group.org.uk L&H Homes customers 0800 111 4013 ƀƀ service.centre@longhurst-group.org.uk Spire Homes customers 0300 123 66 11 ƀƀ spirehomes@longhurst-group.org.uk

MONEY TALK .9

Rob Friday’s top five tips for CVs Use a little ‘TCP’ to make your CV stand out and ensure potential employers will want to meet you.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT? If you currently receive Universal Credit or other benefits, or if you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to help with paying your council tax.

Although you can no longer claim for Council Tax Benefit, you can claim for Council Tax Reduction (CTR).

Depending on where you live, the reduction could be a percentage of your council tax, a discount on the amount set out in the scheme or even a discount of the whole council tax bill, which would leave you nothing to pay.

Each local authority has its own scheme and it is likely that you will have something to pay towards your council tax bill.

How to apply for CTR You can start the process of applying for Council Tax Reduction online.

The link below will direct you to the relevant page on your local council’s website, which will tell you what you need to do next. ¬¬ www.gov.uk/ apply-council-tax-reduction

SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO HELP YOU FIND WORK IF you live in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or Wolverhampton, you can access FREE training and help to find work through Black Country Impact.

The project is determined to tackle the barriers that may be preventing some young adults from becoming all they can.

It is receiving up to £34 million of funding made up of £17 million from the European Social Fund and £17 million from the Youth Employment Initiative, plus match funding of up to £8 million from the Big Lottery Fund and funding from partners.

If you are aged 16–29 and live in the Black Country, the project can help you find a job, support you to find a college or further education course or offer free training to help develop the skills you need. By working with the Black Country project, you will have the

chance to sign up for apprenticeships, traineeships, training courses, coaching, work placements, self-employment advice – including social enterprises – customised training and more.

The service will provide advice and guidance, along with customised support tailored to you as well as a key worker who will support you throughout your journey.

Additional items to support you can also be provided, which could include free personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots and high visibility clothing, a CSCS card, interview clothes, childcare, travel and much more.

For more information on Black Country Impact and how it can help you, visit: ¬¬ go.walsall.gov.uk/ blackcountryimpact

1. T is for Target Always bear in mind what the job, the company and the reader (potentially your next boss) needs from you – check the job advert and see if you can get hold of the job description and person specification.

2. C is for Content Sticking to point one will keep your CV relevant. Write about what’s important to that job in that company. Be prepared to re-write your CV for every job you apply for.

3. P is for Presentation Use clear headings, bullet points and plenty of space between sections to make it easy to read. It’s better to spread your CV over two pages than cram it into one.

4. Summarise Put a bullet-point summary of your skills and experience at the top of your CV, under your contact details. The reader will see this first and want to read more.

5. Leave it out Nowadays, you don’t need to include your age, date of birth, nationality, national insurance number, marital status, level of health or care commitments. You don’t need to include any exam failures. Hobbies and interests can be left out (saving you space), unless they are relevant – see point one again!

In the next edition, we’ll be looking at cover letters.

If you would like more help from Rob, our Employment & Training Advisor, with your CV, please contact him today on 0300 123 1745.

10. NEWS

Keystone’s stunning Home Grange development in Lincoln, which has been built exclusively for the over 55s.

HOME GRANGE IS WHERE THE HEART IS FOR SIMON PROUD Lincoln lad Simon Dillon has managed countless new housing developments during his career, but none are as personal a project as Keystone’s Home Grange.

“Mum and Dad both still live there special. The impressive commercial development, which was handed over on Boultham Park Road in a smaller earlier this month, is just a stone’s throw property now, about 200 meters away away from his childhood home, merely – Mum walks past the site nearly every metres from where his Mum and Dad day!

“In the summer, we used to be out still live and directly opposite the school on Boultham Park every day playing The recently-completed multi-million- he used to attend.

Growing up, Simon’s playground was football, golf on the putting green and pound project, situated on Boultham Park Road to the south of Simon’s the adjacent Grade II-listed Boultham tennis on the courts there, which I now home city, has created 36 one and two Park and he can fondly recall sunny also do with my kids.

“To now be the Project Manager of bedroom apartments exclusively for the summer days playing in the shadow of over 55’s – all of which are for market a site, which, years later, would provide a development that has completely sale. the setting for one of his most rewarding renovated the old site is fantastic.

“I’ve been PM on a lot of other projects Simon is a project manager in projects to date.

“We moved onto Boultham Park Road around the country for the Group the development and sales team at Longhurst Group – of which Keystone when I was six,” he recalled. “We lived companies and Consortium members, are part – and has helped to deliver on the corner of Mayfair Avenue and I but to have that personal connection 4,000 homes during his 18 years with went to school at St Peter and St Paul’s, and history with this one is brilliant – it the Group. which is literally across the road from definitely adds to it.”

Home Grange has been delivered But for him, Home Grange is extra Home Grange.

NEWS .11

I’ve been PM on a lot of other projects but to have that personal connection and history with this one is brilliant.

Simon Dillon, Project Manager, Development and Sales team, Longhurst Group

as part of a joint venture between Keystone – the private development arm of Longhurst Group – and Gusto Group.

Designed by Newark-based Studio-G Associates, Home Grange was a finalist in the Residential Development of the Year category at the recent Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards.

With 36 apartments across three floors and a glazed communal lounge that overlooks the landscaped gardens, designers have seamlessly incorporated the original Home Farm manor house, which Simon remembers well from his youth.

He continued: “I remember when we used to play on the park, we used to look over at what is now Home Grange, with the Home Farm building, which back then, to us kids looking on from the park, it was a spooky house in the trees!”

“I’m particularly pleased to see the original Home Farm building incorporated in the way that it has been, mixing the old – and what I remember of the site as a boy – with the new, luxury apartments.

“People locally have seen Home Grange

come up from the ground and they can see what we’ve created here. I’m very proud of what we, Studio-G Associates and Gusto Group have achieved here.

“Given that I grew up in the area, I know and have spoken to people about the development and they say they’re impressed with what we’ve done.

“We’re delighted that the development has now been completed, with 13 apartments having already been reserved off-plan, which is fantastic news and testament to the hard work our sales team have put in.

“This is the first retirement development for Keystone that we’ve done in Lincoln and right from the start, we knew we had something special on our hands.

“If you could hand-pick a site, with all the amenities you’d want right on your doorstep, then this would be it – it’s perfect.”

For more information on Home Grange, go to: ¬¬ homegrange.co.uk ƀƀ enquiries@homegrange.co.uk

12. HEALTH AND WELLBEING

The exercise scheme gives our customers and friends an opportunity to exercise in a safe environment.

Customers at Spire Homes’ Crispian Court scheme in Rushden take part in the fun-filled exercise class.

Jeanette Kirk, Scheme manager

KEEPING FIT AND ACTIVE WITH FUN-FILLED EXERCISE CLASSES CUSTOMERS at our sheltered housing schemes in Northamptonshire are being given a helping hand in staying fit and active thanks to some fun-filled exercise sessions.

The classes, commissioned by Spire Homes, are run by Freedom Leisure as part of its active community outreach programme.

The programme has been devised to engage different – often underrepresented – groups in fun activities that are designed to enable more people to stay active, for longer.

Following a presentation to customers, it was agreed to trial a taster session at Spire’s Crispian Court in Rushden, with another session planned at Harpers

physical and social interaction. We have Court in Brigstock later in the year.

The sessions are designed to prevent had really positive feedback from the trips and falls though exercises which tenants, who thoroughly enjoy it.” customers can do collectively with their Active Communities Manager at neighbours or in the privacy of their own Freedom Leisure, Emma Sylvester, said: “The Active Communities team based in homes.

Led by instructor Hayley Powell, the East Northamptonshire are extremely introductory class was such a success proud of the outreach work that we that the essions will now be run every deliver to enable more people, to be more active, more often. month – to the delight of customers.

Scheme manager Jeanette Kirk said: “It has been an exciting opportunity to “We have really enjoyed working with the work in partnership with Spire Homes Active Communities team to promote and their customers. exercise classes on our sheltered “We look forward to continuing our physical activity sessions with housing schemes.

“This gives our customers and friends Spire and are very pleased with an opportunity to exercise in a safe the customers’ enthusiasm to improve environment and will hopefully bring their strength that will ultimately prevent health and welfare benefits through falls.”

HEALTH AND WELLBEING .13

LONGHURST GROUP COLLEAGUES WRITE NEW CHAPTER FOR BEECHDALE’S BOOK LOVERS WE are helping to keep a Walsall community reading following the closure of its library.

When the Beechdale estate’s library was forced to close due to council funding cuts last year, colleagues from Friendship Care and Housing (FCH), which manages more than 1,200 properties and has over 1,600 customers on the estate, stepped in to help.

The housing provider’s Community Champion, Jemma Betts, alongside other members of staff and volunteers from the local church, created The Community Book Swap, ensuring the estate’s bookworms can continue to enjoy their favourite page-turners.

The Book Swap is based at the St Chad’s Church Hall on Edison Road and open to the community every Saturday lunchtime between 1pm and 2pm.

For a donation of just £1, visitors can borrow a maximum of three books, swapping them for different titles once they’ve finished reading.

Explaining how the idea came about, Jemma – herself a resident of the estate – said: “I know of a number of isolated people on the estate who won’t go out of Beechdale and so when our library was closed, I was concerned for them as they no longer had access to books.

“I’m a mum of two young girls myself and I was also concerned for children like them, who loved visiting the library and enjoying the stories that were available from there.

“I spoke to people at the Church, who agreed that something needed to be done and they very kindly gave me the space needed within the Church Hall to create the Book Swap.

“Then it was a case collecting up all of the books that had been donated to the project and getting it started.

“We’ve had plenty of books donated by our local residents and partners and have a great range of stories for both children and adults.

“The reaction that we’ve had so far from the community is really positive, which is brilliant.”

Friendship Care and Housing’s Community Champion Jemma Betts, centre, Phil Whittall and Mandy Keay at the launch of The Community Book Swap on Walsall’s Beechdale estate

Jemma hopes the Book Swap will become a hub for the community, with plans to open it to residents during weekdays and host special events featuring famous characters from the books on offer.

Resident Brenda Phillips, said: “I think the Community Book Swap will prove to be more useful than the library that closed, because lots of senior citizens from Beechdale use the Church Hall, for many reasons.

“Previously, I think many of them couldn’t get to the library just to swap books, so I think it is a brilliant idea and I’m pleased it is now available for everyone – even for those who didn’t use the library before.”

If you would like to donate books to the Community Book Swap, please contact Jemma Betts: 0300 123 1745 ƀƀ jemma.betts@longhurst-group.org.uk

I think the Book Swap will prove to be more useful than the library that closed – I think it is a brilliant idea and I’m pleased it is now available for everyone.

Brenda Phillips, Beechdale resident

14. MONEY TALK

10 reasons

why our residents should choose My Home Contents Insurance Scheme Flexible regular Pay-As-You-Go payment options No fuss, quick and easy to apply either through the post or over the telephone No excess (you do not pay the first part of the claim)

Covers lost or stolen keys You do not need to have special door or window locks You do not need to have a bank account

Covers fire, theft, flood, water damage and other household risks Covers damage to internal decorations Covers accidental damage to sanitary fixtures such as toilets and washbasins Covers damage to external glazing for which you are responsible Exclusions & limits apply. A copy of the policy wording is available on request.

To help our residents apply for cover, we have application packs for them to complete or they can apply directly by calling My Home on:

0345 450 7288 visit www.thistlemyhome.co.uk

The National Housing Federation My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is a product name arranged and administered on behalf of the National Housing Federation by Thistle Tenant Risks a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lloyd’s Broker. Registered in England under No. 00338645 Registered office: 68 Lombard Street London EC3V 9LJ. The National Housing Federation is an Appointed Representative of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.

T E N A N T

R I S K S

AROUND OUR WAY .15

DON’T LET THIEVES SPOIL YOUR SPRING! AHH, spring; probably my favourite time of the year.

Longer and hopefully warmer days, leaves unfolding and a chance for me to get out on my bike to combat the winter flab!

Also, unfortunately, it also brings chances for the crooks to find fresh ways to get into our homes – particularly through open doors and windows.

As the weather gets nicer, we all want to throw open the windows and blow winter away, but please, don’t forget that open windows are an open invitation to the criminally inclined.

Likewise, if you’re getting out to tidy the garden, then don’t forget to lock doors behind you – especially if you’re working a distance away or with your back to the building.

As you get engrossed in what you’re doing, it provides an opportunity for someone to sneak in and grab what they can. Purses are a favourite as they’re often left out on tables or kitchen worktops.

We usually experience a spike in shed burglaries at this time of year, however, this year has been slightly different as they have been targeted pretty much

throughout the winter, with burglars taking advantage of the long nights.

Though the police are targeting the offenders and whenever possible taking them off the streets, there is no sign of shed breaks abating any time soon. So we’re relying on you to do your bit to secure your shed, and whatever you store inside it.

Shed (and house) security begins at the perimeter of your garden so start by looking at the state of your fences and gates. Is there anything you can do to improve the security of your garden?

Improved bolts on the side gate perhaps, or something to prevent anyone climbing over. Likewise with fences. Are the panels in good order, and would they benefit from any additions, such as trellis to raise the height and make climbing more difficult, or a legal crime prevention aid such as a ‘prikka-strip’ (look it up)?

Planting thorny shrubs is another, legal, way of securing your garden.

Pyracantha (Firethorn) and Hawthorn are two of my favourites as they’re hardy and look good all year round.

There’s loads you can do to secure your shed – far more than I can go into

here – so search ‘shed security advice’ on the internet or give us a call if you’d like to know more.

Vehicle crime – particularly the theft of and from all sorts of vehicles – has also proved problematic over the winter.

Again, we in the police are doing all we can to catch the perpetrators, but you can do your bit by making sure your vehicle is secure and, particularly in the case of cars, ensure that nothing is left on display inside to tempt the thieves.

Your car insurance is likely to cover the theft of anything from inside, so why take the risk?

Have you thought of securing your vehicle with additional devices such as a steering wheel lock? If so, West Midlands Police can help.

We’ve teamed up with leading manufacturer Disklok to offer a 15% discount on any of their products. All you need to secure your money off is to enter the special promotional code at the checkout.

“Where do I get the code?!” I hear you cry. Easy - if you haven’t already done so, simply sign up to receive FREE messages from West Midlands Police by visiting www.wnmow.co.uk. Hit the big ‘Join’ button, register yourself and we’ll send you the code.

I WILL be getting out on my bike this spring, so be on the look out and give me a wave should I go panting by. I’ll also be securing my machine with a decent lock every time I leave it!

Kevin Pitt Walsall Police Partnerships Team

16. NEWS

Representatives from Longhurst Group and Connells estate agents pictured outside the newly-opened marketing suite at The Heights development in Northampton

INTEREST IN NEW NORTHAMPTON DEVELOPMENT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS EAGER prospective residents were queuing out of the door at the launch of a second phase of homes at a popular development in Northampton.

The Heights, which is being delivered

by Spire Homes and Westleigh Partnerships, will offer a mix of two and three bedroom homes, close to the town centre.

A total of 31 homes will be available for outright sale, with a further 31 units on the site, which is just off Bective Road, Kingsthorpe, being made available for shared ownership.

Following the successful release of the first phase of properties earlier this year, another launch event was recently held in conjunction with estate agents Connells to mark the release of a further 15 homes as well as the official opening of the impressive show home and marketing suite.

Organisers were bowled over by the

response, with guests queuing out of the door and arriving hours in advance of their appointments to tour the show home.

Of the 15 homes that were made

available as part of the launch, 14 were reserved on the day, with the remaining property being snapped up soon after.

Scott Loader, New Homes Manager for Longhurst Group, said: “The

NEWS .17

Longhurst Group’s Development and New Business Manager, Christine Steele (left) and Orchard Drive Project Manager Tracey Pearson meet with Councillor Matthew Patrick of North East Lincolnshire Council

DELIGHT AS £7 MILLION GRIMSBY NEIGHBOURHOOD REGENERATION IS COMPLETED WORK on the final phase of a £7 million social housing project in the heart of Grimsby has been completed following the handover of the final 19 socially-rented homes.

that will really make a difference to the area and improve the lives of the families living here, as well as the wider community.

“Orchard Drive is a shining example of our strong and ongoing partnership The 70-unit project towards the with North East Lincolnshire Council launches for both phases one and southern end of Guildford Street – now and we thank both them and Homes two of this development have been a renamed Orchard Drive – has been England for their support.” delivered thanks to joint investment Councillor Peter Wheatley, portfolio resounding success.

“The response that we saw from from Longhurst and Havelok Homes, holder for housing, added: “It’s customers at both events shows North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) wonderful to see the results of this great there clearly was and is a need for a and Homes England (formerly the project between the Council, Longhurst development of this nature within the Homes and Communities Agency). and Havelok, and Homes England The new two and three-bedroom “This project has created a significant local community. developed by Lindum, number of affordable and sustainable “We are extremely pleased and proud homes, to have been able to provide this superb who employed mainly local labour houses for future generations in our area. throughout, have been created following “One of the Council’s priorities development for the area.”

Gary Turner, Partnership and the demolition of 100 terraced houses is to ensure that local people have Investment Director for Westleigh, which were over a century old and in access to good quality and affordable accommodation. These new houses added: “We are pleased to be playing poor condition.

The handover of the remaining homes have replaced some properties that our part in delivering these mixed tenure homes for the benefit of the community marks the complete transformation of were in a rather poor state with some one of North East Lincolnshire’s most family-friendly dwellings which will in Northampton.

“The development is going some way challenging brownfield sites. foster some vibrant communities. towards addressing the shortage of Ian Jackson, Executive Director “I would like to thank Longhurst and of Portfolio Investment at Longhurst Havelok Homes for their great work on affordable properties in the local area.

“We would like to thank our partners Group, said: “We’re delighted to have this project.” at Longhurst Group for helping us to taken handover of the final phase of Investment in the East Marsh make the scheme a success.” properties, marking the completion Neighbourhood Renewal Area program A further two phases of properties of the total regeneration of this has also brought about renovation of will be released later in the year, with development within the East Marsh 49 dwellings in Guildford Street (north) those who have already reserved now vicinity. We’ve been committed to this as part of the creation of a Home Zone, eagerly awaiting the handover of the area for a very long time now, so to and a facelift for 66 properties on have now completely replaced the old neighbouring Victor Street. keys to their new home.

The Heights has completely properties that stood here with brand regenerated the former brownfield site, new, affordable and sustainable family To view and bid for the available properties, visit which was once home to the Green homes is fantastic.

“This is a high-quality development ¬¬ homechoicelincs.org.uk Oaks Middle School.

18. CUSTOMER STORY

New contractors appointed Following a successful tender process, we are pleased to announce that two new grounds maintenance contractors have been appointed for L&H Homes (L&H) and Friendship Care and Housing (FCH).

Glendale Grounds Management will be working on behalf of L&H, while Idverde UK will undertake work for FCH. The new contracts will come into force on Tuesday, April 3.

If you have any questions regarding the grounds maintenance services, please contact your respective landlord.

COLLEAGUES COME TO THE RESCUE OF POORLY PETS

My Account My Account is the quick and easy way to manage your tenancy online.

It’s secure, free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Here are just a few of the things you can do with My Account: `` View your rent statement `` View your personal details `` Pay your rent (using Allpay) `` Report a repair `` Complete a range of forms to help you manage your tenancy.

If you’re not sure how it works, our ‘how to’ video shows you how to log in for the first time, change your password and what you can do using My Account.

To log on, visit your landlord’s website and follow the My Account link.

A TEAM of heroic Friendship Care and Housing colleagues came to the rescue of four poorly pets after they were cruelly left abandoned by their owners following an eviction.

After the tenants had been removed from the property on the Beechdale estate in Walsall, it became clear that three neglected cats – including a kitten – and a severely malnourished dog had been left behind by their owners.

The pets had been kept in what the team described as ‘terrible’ conditions, surrounded by drug paraphernalia and their own waste.

Being a team of animal lovers, the eight colleagues involved were determined to rescue the pets and ensure they were given the treatment they so desperately needed.

A local neighbour volunteered to look after the dog initially, providing the necessary care to enable her to eventually be re-homed with a friend of another customer.

The team provided the cats with food and water following the eviction and arranged for representatives from the Ashmore Rescue for Cats – where Learning & Development Administrator Aimee Potts is a volunteer – to meet them on-site the following morning.

Two of the cats were removed from

It was great to work with the community and for all staff to pull together to get a positive outcome for these animals.

Sarah Lowe, Neighbourhood Team Leader inside the property and then, after neighbours spotted the third later that afternoon, the team returned to rescue her from the over-grown rear garden.

Neighbourhood Team Leader Sarah Lowe said: “Whilst evictions are never nice situations, this was probably one of the worst we have had in Walsall.

“It was a really upsetting situation, but the team are all really pleased that we have been able to save the animals because they didn’t choose the situation they found themselves in.

“It was great to work with the community too on this, and for all staff to pull together to get a positive outcome for these animals.”

CUSTOMER STORY .19

RETIRING KEN URGES MORE CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR SAY A CUSTOMER who is retiring after serving as an involved tenant for almost a decade has urged others to get involved with Longhurst Group’s customer panels.

Ken Cumberlidge, who is a Friendship Care and Housing customer, is stepping down from his roles on our review panel and scrutiny hub.

Speaking as he received a gift to thank him for his input over the years, Ken said Members of our customer panel pictured during a recent meeting being an involved tenant had given him the opportunity to make his voice heard reviewed again with the other member make improvements to the service and reflected with pride on the fact that companies and I became involved in being delivered.” he’d been able to help shape the service the review panel and scrutiny hub that “I’m most proud of the influence we he and his fellow customers receive. had during the policy reviews. We had they have now.”

“I first became involved around Explaining why he decided to sign the opportunity to have our say on 2008, after attending one of the annual up as an involved tenant, Ken added: behalf of the residents before they were conferences,” he said.

“After retiring, I wanted to stay active. So agreed, meaning the company could “I completed the form at the stall I joined an oil painting group and taught see how they would impact on their and was contacted about the options myself to paint, I was part of a bowls customers. available. I started off on the review club and the local Scouts groups.

He added: “I would say to people panels with my wife that looked at the “I wanted to keep my mind active. I that if you want to make a difference, business areas including repairs and ASB. have been on committees all my life in you have to get involved and have your “Over time, these panels changed and one way of another, so when I attended say, if you have the ability to do this. I’d were replaced with a different structure. the annual conference, I saw the like to thank FCH for everything during At one point, we had up to 30 customers option to be involved in FCH as a great my time as an involved tenant – and, of attending the panels but this reduced way to make a difference and make course, for the lovely retirement gift and over time. In 2016, the panels were customers’ views heard, helping to help card!”

GET INVOLVED! JOIN ONE OF OUR CUSTOMER PANELS

How much time is required?

There are four meetings each year, with lunch provided.

What do we need from you?

These panels have been set up to scrutinise and review our performance.

You will have an input in developing and changing policies and procedures, reviewing complaints and helping to monitor our service standards. All panels are led and chaired by our customers.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll get access to professional training programmes to improve your skills and knowledge, including CV and meeting skills. We’ll also pay reasonable travel expenses.

If you think you could make a difference and would like to get involved, please get in touch: ƀƀ customerengagement@ longhurst-group.org.uk 0345 3090 700

There are local panel groups for your Housing provider. Each group reports to our Longhurst Customer Scrutiny Team.

LONGHURST GROUP CUSTOMER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

COMPETITION TIME Our Voice Wordsearch Find and highlight all 12 of the words listed below for your chance to win a £50 LOVE2SHOP gift voucher. Each of the words relate to a story that featured in this newsletter.

Please post your completed wordsearch to: MMOur Voice Competition, Longhurst Group, Communications Team, Endeavour Park, Gilbert Drive, Lincolnshire, PE21 7TQ. Entries can also be emailed to: ƀƀ communications@ longhurst-group.org.uk The closing date is 9 April, 2018 Our winner from last time…

Moya Carr was the latest lucky winner of our wordsearch competition and has been awarded a £50 LOVE2SHOP voucher. Mrs Carr is a resident of Hubert Ward House in Keelby, Lincolnshire.

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Bretton Orchard Heights Kitten Library Grange

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