Winter Resident Newsletter

H ME M AT T E R S DECEMBER 2021

Photo by: Ade Harvey, Senior Project Officer

YO U R C LW Y DA LY N W I N T E R R E S I D E N T M AG A Z I N E

Send us your Christmassy snaps & win shopping vouchers.

WIN

SHOPPING

VOUCHERS PAGE 28

IN THIS ISSUE TOP Tips

• DIY • Saving money • Reducing Energy Bills

WANT TO WORK WITH US? Find out about some of the roles at ClwydAlyn

A Peak into our new extra care scheme

A CHANCE TO WIN

£25 Amazon vouchers with some Christmas fun!

Mae ClwydAlyn yn Gymdeithas Gofrestredig Elusennol ClwydAlyn is a Charitable Registered Society

YOUR WELCOME

Contents: YOUR WELCOME 3

Your Editor’s update

4

Our Promise

YOUR NEWS 5

Insight on our Resident Committee

6

Pet Pics

7

Pictures & Places

YOUR COMMUNITY 8-9

Community Round up

10 SHUG 10

Community Groups

11

Community Creativity

12

Our Extra Care new development

13

Tai Teg

14-15

Meet the new housing team

16-17

Our Maintenance team - Breaking down the norms

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Creating enterprise, creating opportunity

YOUR HOME 19

Hafan Dirion garden transformation

19

Gardening tips - Richard Burrows

20

Staying Warm for less

20

Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)

20

Cheaper broadband

21

Energy saving tips

21

Tips for saving Welsh water

22 Upcycle 23

Tips for Home Safety this Christmas

YOUR VIEWS 24-25 Mail bag - answering your questions 24

Resident portal

YOUR LOOK INTO...

26

A day in the life of Cook Stephen

27

Recipe (Well fed)

YOUR COMPETITION 28

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Spot the difference and send in your Christmas pics for a chance to win

YOUR WELCOME

Welcome Hello,

and welcome to your winter edition of our ClwydAlyn magazine.

I want to start by saying thank you so much for the incredible welcome and feedback I have received from the summer issue, it was my first edition and I loved being part of it. Your input is what makes this magazine so important, please keep me updated on what you want to see in this magazine as after all it is created for you!

Send over any ideas to laura.Mckibbin@clwydalyn.co.uk

In our summer issue we asked you to vote for the new resident newsletter name, which you may have noticed has now been changed on the front cover. You chose Home Matters, which we love! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. We truly feel that home does matter, it is a place where everyone should feel safe and secure, it’s a place to make the most amazing memories, a special place for so many people and that is why we love what we do here at ClwydAlyn.

Keep up to date

with the latest news and events on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ClwydAlyn Discover what’s going on in your neighbourhood and find out what we are doing in your community. We post service updates as well as news from ClwydAlyn, new scheme developments, job vacancies and local events.

Follow our social media channels.

Out of hours emergency repairs: 0300 123 3091

I’ll leave you to enjoy your magazine which is filled with resident updates, top tips and some amazing prize-winning opportunities.

On behalf of ClwydAlyn and myself, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Laura x VACCINATION

Have you had your Vaccination Yet? In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, eligibility for the COVID-19 booster vaccination has been expanded to include all adults over the age of 18. Booster vaccinations are being offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. Offers of a booster should be given at a minimum of 3 months of completion of the primary course. This is an update from the previously advised 6 month interval. Please wait for your health board to contact you. gov.wales/coronavirus

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YOUR NEWS

Our Promise We believe home matters and a home should be more than just four walls and a roof. Our Resident Charter sets out our commitment to delivering excellent services and is Our Promise to you. We will be launching Our Promise in the New Year so keep a look out for further details.

Make sure your home is safe, secure and well-maintained.

Make sure we are well run and financially sustainable so we can continue to tackle poverty.

Make sure your home is affordable and support y ou with income and welfare advice.

Support you to live well in your home, so that you can live the life you choose in a safe and connected community.

Spend money wisely and tell you how we spend it so that you can hold us to account.

ClwydAlyn.co.uk/OurPromise

Making sure service charges are fair and provide value for money.

Make sure your voice is heard, listen to your feedback, and deal with complaints quickly and fairly.

How We Do Things

Trust

Provide excellent service and let you know how we are performing on essential maintenance, repairs and safety.

Kindness

Hope

YOUR NEWS

Peter Smith-Hughes

gives insight on our Residents Committee HOW DOES THE RESIDENTS’ COMMITTEE WORK WITH CLWYDALYN TO REPRESENT AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF TENANTS? Recent successes include ensuring residents had a big say in the introduction of the Residents’ Portal, where maintenance visits can now be booked in a more user-friendly and streamlined way to fit around work commitments.

The creation of Our Promise, which is the set of things you can expect from ClwydAlyn, which has been developed in consultation. We’ve also had a big influence in changing the direction of the Rent Settlement policy using feedback from residents.

Peter emphasised that the Committee looks at the global view; the broad strokes and direction taken by the organisation and said:

Previously working as the Service Improvement Committee, it was reformed 2 years ago to reflect and promote more diversity among the residents represented.

There are currently 9 members serving on the Committee, with 2 younger members in Supported Living and older representatives from other areas of the service such as the Care Homes. It meets every 2 months to ensure that residents’ views are heard, and we work in collaboration with ClwydAlyn to get those views across.

Peter Smith-Hughes, who Chairs the Committee, meets with the Executive after each meeting and said:

“ They’re always very open towards anything that needs addressing, and it works because the Executive team wants it to work. The most important thing is to represent the views of all our residents, and to be positive in working together.”

“Hand on heart, every member has an input that is absolutely fantastic, and the Committee has tried really hard to represent the ClwydAlyn family; to develop it and make it better.”

During Covid the Committee has met online and has done exceptionally well in these difficult times. It now looks forward to meeting face to face and getting out to all areas of the service, from Welshpool to Anglesey, so that residents can see it in action and get their views across effectively.

If any residents are interested in being an Influencer, please email influenceus@clwydalyn.co.uk, or go to www.clwydalyn.co.uk/Influence-Us/

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YOUR NEWS

MAGG I WELL E DONE !!

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OUR PET PICTURE WINNER: Maggie the dog won owner Ronald £20 worth of shopping vouchers.

01

YOUR

03

PET PICS

In our last edition we asked you to share your pet pics, we know how animals can be great companions and how much joy they can bring to our day.

04

Just seeing a cute or funny picture of an animal can put a smile on your face and that’s exactly what these pictures sent in by our residents have done!

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Photography:

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05

07

08

01 Ty-Son - Ronald Rosster

05 Ralph – Cory Wellbeloved

02 Maggie – Ronald Rosster

06 Abu Blue – Lena Nixon

03 Big Bird – Ronald Rosster

07 Rosie – Elizabeth Barnes

04 Kenai – Danielle Bryan

08 Brock – Elizabeth Barnes

YOUR NEWS

01

02

03

04

05

08 06

07

09

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PICTURES & PLACES

We recently asked you to send over some pictures of your area, this included; pretty places to walk, nature reserves, beaches, pretty views… basically anything you felt that stood out within your communities.

The pictures sent our way were incredible, it just shows how lucky we are to live in beautiful North Wales. We picked 8 lucky winners who won a £50 voucher for the following local attractions; SC2, Ninja Tag, GYG Karting, Park Hall Farm, Snowdon Railway, Spavens and Seaquarium in Rhyl. We had such great feedback we will be running this competition again next year, so keep your eyes peeled and keep snapping.

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Photography: 01 Katy Richards, Flint Railway Bridge in Barmouth 02 Nicola Pearson, Wrexham

Bersham Waterfall

03 Charmaine Carey, Flintshire

Llangollen aquaduct

04 Arial Jones, Llangefni

Lan y Mor Borthwen Rhoscolyn Beach

05 | 06 | 07 | 10 Liz Barnes, Rhyl

Swn Y Mor

08 Corina Davies

Plas Newydd Angelsey

09 Taz Haskins, Wrexham

Hurst Newton (SL Hostel)

11 Danielle Bryan, Rhyl

Colwyn Bay Beach

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YOUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY ROUND UP

Community has never been so important, so it is good to highlight some of the great work that our staff and residents do within our communities. If you’d like to share a story or an event, send it over to communications@clwydalyn.co.uk

TY GOLAU One of our talented tenants at Ty Golau has been making wooden insects over the last few months for Denbighshire Council Countryside Services.

Thanks to Working Denbighshire, Keep Britain Tidy, Men’s Sheds Cymru and Countryside Services Ltd who have worked together to provide the space, materials, workshop and support to make this happen. The insects were fixed to the fence area at Rhyl Allotments on Crescent Road.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Lovely to see our schemes showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness month with Chirk Court Care Home in Wrexham Wearing It Pink and Tan y Fron Extra Care Llandudno organising a cake stall and raffle, raising £139!

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RAISE

D

£139

The residents and staff at Penrhos Polish Village raised an impressive £685.55 for Macmillan Cancer Support during their Macmillan Coffee Morning Great to see everyone together enjoying cakes and tea while raising money to support Macmillan Cancer.

YOUR COMMUNITY

PENRHOS POLISH VILLAGE

D RAISE.55 £685

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY CHIRK COURT TEAM On World Mental Health Day our amazing Chirk Court team took the opportunity to brighten up their households.

The team here do lots of fantastic work to help the ‘Young Minds’ charity all year round so well done and thank you for your kindness!

You’re all superstars.

DYFODOL HUGE thanks and well done to Dyfodol staff and residents for joining local businesses (Skeffington Properties, PHR Plumbing Renewables) and their families, in a Rhyl litter pick.

SWIMMING INITIATIVE Our swimming initiative was a huge success with our young residents.

This was introduced in partnership with Travis Perkins who helped fund the event, we have also worked with the local councils in Flintshire and Denbighshire who have facilitated the swimming lessons. We will be looking at running this initiative for our residents again across different counties.

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YOUR COMMUNITY

SHUG

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

DAVID PERKINS, CHAIR OF THE SHELTERED HOUSING UMBRELLA GROUP (SHUG), SHARES A LITTLE ABOUT THE GROUP.

Sheltered Housing Umbrella Group (SHUG) was formed in 2012 to represent residents living in Sheltered Housing Accommodation of ClwydAlyn.

SHUG is made up of resident volunteers along with the support of our Wardens and Managers from across our schemes.

Although this group is funded

by ClwydAlyn, as a constituted Group we are able to apply for Grants and funding from various sources. With funding gained we encourage social activities along with encouraging residents to exercise their rights in improving their housing conditions and environment.

Our hopes are that SHUG will continue to thrive and work for the good of all. It is important to state that although the SHUG group works closely with the ClwydAlyn, we are independent from any other Body.

D . Perkins (Chair)

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Are you part of or know of any groups you feel would benefit those within your community?

Many have suffered socially due to the pandemic so now more than ever it is important to stay connected. Share your community groups by sending them over to communications@clwydalyn.co.uk and we’ll share them in the next edition!

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Creativity

Getting creative can be great for our mental health and through recent times its clear how important our wellbeing is. Our extra care scheme Hafan Gwydir have formed a community art group and turned being creative into a social event. Our scheme is an independent living complex with extra care, based in a rural setting in the Conwy Valley, not far from beautiful Betws y Coed.

Barbra Lewis from Hafan Gwydir shares insight on the art group

“ The Art group is a mixture of tenants from Hafan Gwydir and local people who have met under the tuition of Mr John Ross. Mr Ross a fellow tenant and gifted local artist has given instruction mainly through the medium of watercolour but has also encouraged people to explore their own creativity. Before the pandemic we met every Wednesday afternoon and held an exhibition of our work at the scheme. We were lucky enough to be asked to contribute toward an entry in the Eisteddfod. ClwydAlyn have recently helped us with a grant to buy art materials. The standard of the work from our small group is amazing and includes efforts from people of all capabilities who just enjoy meeting up.”

We hope you enjoy these few examples of their art work, a very talented bunch.

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YOUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

YOUR COMMUNITY

Work has started on

EXTRA CARE SC WE HAVE SOME GREAT NEWS! Work has started on site to convert Neuadd Maldwyn, located on Severn Road, Welshpool, into extra care apartments. The historic Neuadd Maldwyn building will be restored and sympathetically extended as part of the development programme.

The scheme will feature 66 self-contained 1 and 2 bedroom high quality apartments for rent, for individuals aged 60 years and over with an assessed care or support need. The scheme will include communal facilities for events and activities, a restaurant, onsite parking and landscaped areas.

Housing management and ancillary services will be provided by ClwydAlyn, whilst Powys County Council will take responsibility for the provision of the on-site domiciliary care. Priority will be given to residents of the Welshpool area or have close connections to the Welshpool area.

EXPRESS AN INTEREST IN THE SCHEME: If you are 60 or over, and feel you would benefit from living in Powys Extra Care, you can express an interest in the scheme, by contacting us in the following ways: Freephone: 0800 183 5757 Email: help@clwydalyn.co.uk www.clwydalyn.co.uk/ neuadd-maldwyn/

This scheme is part of our development programme to deliver a further 1500 new homes in North Wales by 2025 at an investment of £250m bringing the total number of homes in management to over 7,500.

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HEME!

YOUR COMMUNITY

our ninth

CYSYLLTU POBL GYDA CYFLEON TAI CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

1 5 0 0 N EW HO

ME IN NOR TH WA S LES BY 202 5 !

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? • You are aged 18 or over • In employment and have an Annual gross household income between £16,000 to £45,000 (benefits not considered as income) • A first-time buyer or your current home is unsuitable and does not meet your family’s needs • You are unable to afford to rent on the open market and / or buy a property that suits your needs

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

HOW TO REGISTER: Register with Tai Teg by: • Visiting www.taiteg.org.uk • Click on ‘register with Tai Teg’ • Complete the application form • Click on ‘submit application’

We anticipate this project will provide new employment and training opportunities; if you’re interested in work experience, up-skilling placements or employment / apprenticeships, please contact Anwyl Partnerships at build@anwyl.co.uk

• Tai Teg will assess your application • If you meet the criteria and are approved you can then apply for properties

Website: www.taiteg.org.uk Phone: 03456 015 605 Email: info@taiteg.org.uk

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YOUR COMMUNITY

MEET THE NEW Housing Services are committed to ensuring that we live by our values and that we work to achieve our aim of tackling poverty. To achieve this, we believe the way forward was to move away from specialist officers and to provide a generic Housing Officer role, with smaller areas to cover, but focusing on any issues our residents may have.

BRENDAN MCWHINNIE

JORDAN CARTER

TOM HUMPHRISS

ALISON DOUGLAS

AMI JONES

TEAM LEADER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

REBECCA TOPPING

LISA BEST

HELEN JONES

SALLY TONKS

GARETH EDWARDS

HOUSING OFFICER

WELFARE RIGHTS AND MONEY ADVICE OFFICER

EARLY INTERVENTION OFFICER

ALL CENTRAL AREA

SHOTTON, QUEENSFERRY, BROUGHTON, SALTNEY, SANDYCROFT & MANCOT

LISA JONES

JENNIFER TONER

ANDREW GRIFFITHS

SHELLEY DEBONO

CARYS EVANS

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

ALL EAST AREA

BRYNTEG & SHELTERED

RHOS & WREXHAM

ALL EAST AREA

CONNAH’S QUAY, OAKENHOLT, BAGILLT & HALKYN

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MOLD, NEW BRIGHTON, PONTBLYDDYN, LEESWOOD & GWERNAFFIELD

COVERING JORDAN CARTER UNTIL DEC 21

WELSHPOOL & CHIRK

TEAM LEADER

ALL EAST AREA

BUCKLEY, TREUDDYN, EWLOE & MAES HELEG

GARDEN CITY & HAWARDEN

WREXHAM CENTRAL

HOUSING OFFICER

FLINT

To compliment this new approach each team also has a Welfare Rights and Money Advice Officer to help residents with finances and an Early Intervention Officer to provide targeted support where needed. For some of our residents your Housing Officer may not have changed but we thought we would share our restructure with you.

WENDY RICHARDS

JANICE PETERSON

RHYS HUGHES

CAROL HOOPER

SARA ROBERTS

HOUSING OFFICER

WELFARE RIGHTS AND MONEY ADVICE OFFICER

EARLY INTERVENTION OFFICER

TEAM LEADER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOLYWELL, FFYNNONGROEW, GREENFIELD & MOSTYN

YVONNE COLE HOUSING OFFICER COLWYN BAY, ABERGELE & RHYL

ALL CENTRAL AREA

ALL WEST AREA

ALL CENTRAL AREA

ABERGELE, PENSARN, KIMMEL BAY, TOWYN & RHYL

LAURA COLLINS

BARRY EVANS

REBECCA HALTON

SHANNON CAMERON

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

RHOS ON SEA, LLANDULAS, RHYL & PRESTATYN

HOLYHEAD, BENLLECH, VALLEY, CAERGEILIOG, LLANGEFNI, AMLWCH & LLANFECHELL

RHYL, PRESTATYN, ST ASAPH, BODELWYDDAN, RHUDDLAN, MELIDEN & TREMEIRCHION

RHYL & PRESTATYN

ANGHARAD JONES

SIAN TAYLOR

SHARON SPARROW

JOANNE ARKSEY

GAFYN THOMAS

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

HOUSING OFFICER

WELFARE RIGHTS AND MONEY ADVICE OFFICER

EARLY INTERVENTION OFFICER

LLANDUDNO, CONWY, BRYNSIENCYN, GAERWEN, LLANSADRWN, LLANDEGFAN & NEWBOROUGH

PENMAENMAWR, LLANDUDNO JUNCTION, COLWYN BAY, RHOS ON SEA & MOCHDRE

TREFNANT, DENBIGH, RUTHIN, LLANBEDR & RHYL

ALL WEST AREA

ALL WEST AREA

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YOUR COMMUNITY

HOUSING TEAM

YOUR COMMUNITY

OUR MAINTENANCE

BREAKING DOWN THE NORMS HOW ARE WOMEN WORKING IN THE MAINTENANCE INDUSTRIES BREAKING DOWN TRADITIONAL GENDER STEREOTYPES? This is a question we put to ClwydAlyn’s Maintenance team, led by Carl Taylor, Operations Manager.

Carl leads a team where there are several women now working in trades roles traditionally held by men. With the opportunities ClwydAlyn gives people to progress within the organisation and with a highly supportive team, everyone we spoke to emphasised how the gender balance of traditionally maledominated professions is changing and offering great opportunities for the women who work in it.

Louise Smith-Aldous is Operations and Project Coordinator in Health and Safety on the team and has progressed within ClwydAlyn from her initial role as a kitchen and domestic assistant in Extra Care. Louise progressed to an internship as a ‘Grow Your Own Assistant’ with the People Team, to where she is now. She said,

“ It doesn’t make any difference if you’re a man or a woman when you’re doing the job. My team are so supportive and tight-knit, and I have faced no barriers in my progression.”

LOUISE SMITH-ALDOUS IS OPERATIONS AND PROJECT COORDINATOR IN HEALTH & SAFETY.

Emily has now been with the electrical team for over 6 months where she has worked alongside Mike Hill on routine day to day work and with Dylan Rodgers on void properties.

She has predominantly been with Dylan on voids carrying out various duties including replacing accessories like sockets and switches, but also helping Dylan diagnose and find faults on circuits and then carrying out electrical condition reports.

During her time here Emily has grown in confidence, and she has shown great enthusiasm and Emily’s attitude to work is very positive. Emily’s goal is to become a qualified electrician.

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In September she started a full-time electrical course in Llandrillo College with the hope of gaining an apprenticeship.

Next year Leigh Hall has arranged for one of our contractors to take Emily for a couple of weeks to gain some more experience in other areas of the trade that we unfortunately cannot offer.

Emily has a great attitude, is friendly and courteous and she has become a valued member of our team.

YOUR COMMUNITY

TEAM Carl Taylor

Operations Manager Emma Goodhall works as a Painter on the team and came to ClwydAlyn after 9 years working on the maintenance team at Bodelwyddan Castle.

She was given the opportunity to try basic decorating skills at college, and the rest is history.

Emma says:

“If you find a job you’re good at, you can enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Some residents like having a choice of gender, although some are still quite shocked to see a woman!”

What helped her was having a friend on the team, Sam Reece, who also works as a Painter. Sam came into the role having been self-employed and has been with ClwydAlyn since 2013.

Sam says:

“It used to be a man’s world, but I have never come across any issues in 20 years.

I don’t want to be treated any different, and they are proper gents on the team.”

The team also employ Cleaners, who work across north Wales in diverse and skilled roles that can take on tasks such as gardening, lifting furniture and anything else that is needed at properties.

The Cleaning team are out and about every day and enjoy speaking to and supporting residents. Nikki Chadwick changed career after working as a nursery assistant and enjoys the role where “you don’t get treated any different.” She works with Lynne Brennan, who applied for the role after being with North Wales Police for 17 years. Lynne says:

“no two days are the same, and there is plenty of variety covering an area from Llangefni to Prestatyn.”

Finally, there is Kayleigh Smith, who is Asset Management Officer on the Asset Team. She initially didn’t know what she wanted to do as a career and picked plumbing as an option while she was at Llandrillo College. She then started work experience with ClwydAlyn, her initial role as an apprentice plumber. After completing qualifications as a Gas Heating Engineer, she progressed to this role in 2011.

Looking back over her career with the company Kayleigh reflects:

“ClwydAlyn have been great from the start. My colleagues in the Plumbing and Heating team were brilliant and I’ve enjoyed it all and the progression.

I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to go into a traditionally male-dominated area. You get all the support you need.”

These women are breaking down gender bias in the profession and thriving in their roles that contribute so much to the work of ClwydAlyn. Carl Taylor who heads the team also has some exciting ideas on how to attract more women into the industry. ClwydAlyn already has terms and conditions that support flexible working around childcare and pregnancy, and this, together with the wording in job advertisements being female orientated, can increase uptake. He also feels that it would be beneficial to give young people a chance to try out a trade before they make career decisions, together with marketing opportunities in ClwydAlyn to that age group. Finally, he envisages ClwydAlyn residents of all ages having the opportunity to try something different, working perhaps in partnership with other organisations.

In an organisation that is passionate about equality and with more and more women taking senior positions, Carl and his team are on a journey to increase the number of women in their team, and are reflecting on changes in the industry that create opportunities for women like Louise, Emma, Sam, Nikki, Lynne and Kayleigh, to challenge traditional stereotypes and excel in the work they do every day.

If you are interested in working for ClwydAlyn then please check out our website or register your interest with our People Team via our online form. www.clwydalyn.co.uk/work-for-us/

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YOUR COMMUNITY

CREATING ENTERPRISE, CREATING OPPORTUNITY Employability is a key focus at ClwydAlyn, where we believe everyone should have access to training, development, and employment opportunities. In recent years, we have partnered with organisations to provide training & employment to people with learning disabilities and others who have traditionally faced barriers to employment. This year, we are working with a new partner to support more residents into work.

How does ClwydAlyn work with other organisations to give opportunities to tenants? ‘Creating Enterprise’, a subsidiary of Cartrefi Conwy, is an award-winning building and maintenance contractor that, as a social enterprise, invests its profits back into the community to help local people find training, volunteering and work.

Ami Jones is Creating Enterprise’s Employability Mentor and explained how their ‘Creating Futures Employment Academy’ provides 12-month paid, work placements for social housing tenants, where they get the chance to develop skills and experience to gain sustainable employment. Their support includes: advice on writing an effective CV; help filling out job application forms; preparing for interviews, and putting together personal action plans, to help overcome any barriers, so you can reach your goals.

They have diverse opportunities available and the team has excellent links with local employers, working with them to give people the right training and pathways into work. Once you secure a job, their support even continues for a month into your contract!

Volunteering opportunities are also available to enhance confidence and build skills for work. For example, through the Covid-19 pandemic: volunteers made welfare calls and picked up shopping and prescriptions for vulnerable residents and Cartrefi

Conwy tenants were supported by volunteer ‘Digital Champions’ who helped tenants use devices loaned to them by the project, so they could stay better connected with their friends and family.

The training they offer is run across North Wales and includes: budgeting, confidence building, learning to use Facebook! They also run ‘Passport to Care’ & ‘Passport to Construction’ programmes, where participants can find out about different roles within the industry, learn the basics of health and safety, and brush up on employability skills!

Finally, their National Lottery funded, Working Families Project, ‘Making Work: Work for All’ supports working families in Llandudno, Rhos on Sea, Mochdre and Old Colwyn. Local families identified barriers they faced, which then led to the setting up of ‘out of school’ activities & a loyalty card scheme, supported by local businesses.

These are just a few ways Creating Enterprise can help residents and this year, we are proud to be working in partnership with them, to identify 10 Employment Academy paid placements that (only) ClwydAlyn tenants can apply for! For more information, please contact Ami Jones, 01492 588980 or email: employmentacademy@creatingenterprise.co.uk.

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GARDEN TRANSFORMATION

GARDENING top tips for winter

YOUR HOME

HAFAN DIRION

by Richard Burrows

Our winter gardening tip is to reuse and maintain what you already have so your garden or indoor plants are flourishing next year.

REUSE AND MAINTAIN

Back in 2019 Shannon Cameron, Trainee Housing Officer and Louise Blackwell, Community Development & Employability Specialist, worked together to secure £250 for the Hafan Dirion resident group.

The residents were very grateful and have worked extremely hard on transforming the outdoor area.

Our staff working together have really added value to our residents lives by giving them the resources to feel extra proud with their hard work and the finished look of their community garden.

You can see the huge transformation! Well done to all those involved this looks incredible.

You can be sure of a repeat display by simply gathering seeds from your summer favourites and store the seeds in a paper envelope in a cool dry place until ready to plant in the spring. Alternatively, leave the seeds to attract birds to the garden.

If you have a vegetable patch apply a good covering (3- 4 inches) of manure, leaf mould or your local council’s recycled green waste compost to the soil. This will act to feed, condition and make it more productive next year.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Clean out any water features removing debris from the water which otherwise would clog filters and cause build up of algae. Keep on top of leaf raking and clearing from lawns and paths, spread these as a mulch onto your beds and borders or if you have a compost bin, put them in there.

TAKE CUTTINGS FROM HOUSEPLANTS

Some houseplants are easy to take cutting from and grow brilliantly from simple stem cuttings. If you have sider plants with side growths, you can remove these and plant them in moist compost covered with a plastic bag, in few weeks these will root to form a new plant. House plants can add decorative valley, bring the outside in and some are good for increasing oxygen levels.

Check out this page to know more on house plants: www.balconygardenweb.com/indoorplants-you-can-grow-from-cuttings/ If you have any questions about gardening, you can get in touch by sending your questions over to Communications@clwydalyn.co.uk

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STAY WARM

Our

YOUR HOME

TO P

FOR LESS

• Turn down heating by 1 degree • Wear an extra layer • Set different temperatures

Tips

in each room

• Programme your heating • Don’t block your radiators • Block any drafts & shut your doors

• Open curtains to let sun light in & close them at night to keep the cold out

SAVING ON ENERGY BILLS

The Government have a ‘Warm Home Discount Scheme’ which working with energy suppliers you could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier to find out.

WINTER FUEL SUPPORT Between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) will provide support to individuals who are in financial hardship and need support with off-grid fuel.

Applications for these payments will need to be supported by one of our approved DAF partners.

To make an application, please contact a support worker, a social worker, a housing officer, Citizens Advice or other similar professional. The DAF fund can help those who have financial hardship, have lost a job or have applied for benefits and are waiting on the first payment. If you would like to know more, head over to the gov page here: www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf

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The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: · you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’ · you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’ To Know more visit - Warm Home Discount Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

STAYING CONNECTED FOR LESS BT home essentials package offers half price broadband to those on a specific benefit, do you claim universal credit to pension credit?

Then this could be a great way for you to stay connected at a lower cost. www.bt.com/exp/broadband/home-essentials



Turn off lights when not necessary



Switch off appliances in stand-by mode

SWITCHING ENERGY SUPPLIER EASILY ONLINE 

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YOUR HOME

FAST AND EASY ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Enter the usage information & review your results

Have your recent bill to hand



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Unplug chargers after charging



 Air dry Laundry

Always cook with a lid

Pick a new plan & confirm your switch

 Visit a trusted energy comparison website & pop in your postcode

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Sit back & wait to hear from your new supplier

STRUGGLING WITH WATER BILLS?

We’re here to help keep your head above water.

We can help with…

• Tariffs for customers with a low income, large family, or medical condition

• Payment holiday until your back on track

• Lowering your payments for a short period of time

• Debt support schemes • Water efficiency advise to reduce bills

Find out more at dwrcymru.com/helpwithbills or call us on 0800 052 0145

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YOUR HOME

UPCYCLE TOP tips OUR SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR JO LLOYD SHARES SOME TOP TIPS THAT SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY USED WITH OUR RESIDENTS

LAURA’S TOP UPCYCLE

tip

1 Before you throw away an old piece of furniture, have a look to see if it would lend itself to upcycling. Make something fabulous out of something that may have been thrown away!

2 Be imaginative when you see old pieces. Old ladders make great places to display plants, and old washing machine drums make great outdoor plant pots.

3 If you see a piece of vintage furniture for sale on the high street that you like, the chances are that you can find something very similar on Facebook Marketplace – you may also be able to negotiate a very low price or even get something for FREE!!

4 Collect odd old socks (clean ones, of course!) as they are great to use to apply wax to furniture, providing they are not too fluffy (loose fibres may spoil the finish) 5 Have fun and be bold.

You are not bound by the constraints of what is available on the high street. Choose colours to fit your personal taste and colour schemes.

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6 You don’t have to use expensive chalk paints.

Use up old matt paint.

Provided that you varnish or wax afterwards, you will achieve a great finish!

7 Once you have finished your pieces, make sure you protect all your hard work with wax or varnish to give it longevity.

8 Print off pictures from the internet – these can then be used to ‘Decoupage’ (fancy French word for sticking on pictures! ) to your finished piece. Have a look in magazines or old comic books. Use PVA glue to add these to your painted pieces of furniture prior to the final varnish or wax 9 Above all, have fun and be creative. The possibilities are endless and if you are thrifty and shop around, you can upcycle pieces for very little cost!

You may remember from our summer edition I shared one of my Facebook bargains which I upcycled; well…

I have found another bargain.

This beautiful mirror was just £10 off Facebook marketplace. After a quick clean, sand down and some masking tape to protect the mirror, this only took 20 minutes to paint.

I used black wood paint which was left over from my previous upcycle.

Very pleased with the finished result!

If you have any upcycles you want to share, send them over to Communications@Clwydalyn.co.uk and it could feature in one of our future issues.

YOUR HOME

Tips for Home Safety this Christmas 1.

Carefully inspect Christmas lights each year, discard any with frayed cables or loose connections.

2.

Check your electrical decorations meet the British Standard.

3.

Always turn off Christmas lights when you leave the house unattended and when going to bed.

4.

Never overload electrical sockets.

5.

Never plug an extension lead into another extension lead.

6.

When hanging outdoor lights use insulated tape or plastic clips instead of nails or tacks to hold them in place.

7.

Using a ladder or steps when putting up lights? Choose the correct ladder for the job and have someone foot the ladder when in use.

8.

Test your smoke alarms monthy to check they work correctly.

9.

Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Don’t forget to blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.

10.

Never leave cooking unattended.

11.

Take time to check on elderly relatives & neighbours this Christmas to make sure they are safe.

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL AT CLWYDALYN

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YOUR VIEWS

Mailbag Your questions answered

Answer Laura McKibbin Newsletter Editor

Question Shelia Powell, Resident.

I loved the new lay out/look of the newsletter. I would like to say, if this is ok, to comment on the high quality paper used in previous issues of the newsletter. I just feel that the quality is a bit too much and considering the cost of a daily newspaper, where the paper quality is much reduced, I wonder how much per copy, the newsletter costs. Could the paper quality be reduced, and the money spent more wisely elsewhere.

Thank you for mailing in this important question. We are currently working on our environmental strategy, we also shared in the last newsletter our Journey to Carbon Zero which can be read here.

www.clwydalyn.co.uk/media/ documents/environmental-andsustainability-vision-2020-2035_en.pdf

MyClwydAlyn Portal You can now manage your tenancy online!

We know you’re busy so we want to make things quick and easy for you to manage your tenancy; That’s why we’ve launched MyClwydAlyn, a free, safe and secure online service to manage your tenancy, anywhere, anytime.

For our last newsletter the cost was reduced by nearly 50 percent to print and send out. This was done through using slightly thinner paper, we then sent bulk copies to our schemes which our kind staff distributed to our residents and we also have been trying to encourage more digital copies to go out as this reduces the cost dramatically and reduces the carbon footprint through paper reduction and postal service.

We understand that many of our residents would like to receive their copy through the post, which we want to continue to do for those that do. Please let us know how you would like to receive your newsletter. You can choose your preferences on MyClwydAlyn.

Why should I use MyClwydAlyn?

You can use MyClwydAlyn anytime to: - - - - - -

View your tenant information View your rent balance View your account history Pay your rent Log a repair Report a concern

For more information on MyClwydAlyn, including how to create an account and for answers to some frequently asked questions, visit: clwydalyn.co.uk/MyClwydAlyn Hopefully you’ll find everything you’ll need there. Save time and start managing your tenancy anytime, anywhere. www.myclwydalyn.co.uk

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e!

com l e W

YOUR VIEWS

If you have a question you would like answering in the newsletter then please email us at communications@clwydalyn.co.uk

Carl Taylor

Question Resident

Operations Manager Answering your maintenance questions

Why is there still a long wait for some repairs?

Answer Carl Taylor There’s a variety of things affecting waiting times for repairs, including: During Covid we had to reduce the number of appointments we carried out each day to make sure we kept everyone safe. We are still trying to get through the number of jobs which built up during that time, while also balancing new jobs that come through daily.

Despite some restrictions lifting since Covid, we are still experiencing daily challenges and delays due to staff and residents self-isolating.

Unfortunately, we are also experiencing an increase in ‘no access’ from residents, which means every time an appointment is made and we are unable to gain access to complete the job, that appointment is wasted. You can help us by keeping to your appointment, or letting us know in advance if you need to reschedule it.

There is a shortage of some materials, and we are finding it harder to get hold of the materials we need.

There’s an increase in the number of properties becoming empty following changes to people’s circumstances. We are prioritising void properties to reduce the length of time they are empty, so new and existing residents can move into their much-needed homes as quickly as possible, reducing the risk of homelessness.

There is also a lack of local subcontractors available to support our recovery process.

We are trying to balance these external factors by creating new jobs, but we are also experiencing challenges in recruiting new staff as the job market is so competitive after Brexit and Covid.

Question Resident

What are you doing to get back on track?

Answer Carl Taylor We recognise that getting back on track will be a long recovery process, following the many disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic and the effects of Brexit. Here’s a few things we are doing: We are working proactively to adapt our services to these challenges. We have a three-year recovery plan which we review quarterly, and we meet with the Residents Committee regularly to provide updates and get their feedback.

We have made the difficult decision to defer our planned works program for kitchens and bathrooms by 6 months, to allow us to reposition our resources and focus on getting back on track with general day-to-day repairs. We will be contacting any residents affected by these changes. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience caused, but we hope you understand the need to temporarily reallocate our team to help us reduce the backlog of works.

Staff from other parts of the organisation have volunteered to help support the repairs and maintenance team by labouring and assisting on jobs that require more than one person.

We have created several new jobs and apprenticeships.

We’d like to thank you for supporting us through this challenging time, we are working hard to recover from the affects of Covid and we thank you for your patience.

Thank You 25

YOUR LOOK INTO...

Your Look into the life of…

Our Chef Stephen Owen Stephen Owen works as a Cook at Tan Y Fron Extra Care Scheme in Llandudno and told us about his role and what initially attracted him to applying to ClwydAlyn.

‘After being made redundant from my previous job in an Independent School I applied to ClwydAlyn at the beginning of this year, knowing that we are a big company with a great reputation.

I work full time, and it’s been nice to get to know all the residents, and all the stories they have to tell. You get to know them all by name, and all their likes and dislikes when it comes to meals.

I knew that the work would not be seasonal, but I would be working continually, and that I would always have job security. The hours are always there, and I really enjoy my role. I work with the same people every day, and they become part of your family and close friends.

The staff welcomed me with open arms, and there is loads of support – my manager Debjani always has the door open, and our two Senior Chefs Colin and Wayne are always there for us, and always at the end of the phone if we need them.

Other benefits are the holidays compared to other parts of the industry, and as I live near Llandudno, I plan to access the Cycle-to-Work scheme also.

Most of all, I like meeting everyone at the Scheme, and now that I’m here, I know it was a really good move to apply to ClwydAlyn.’

We often have great opportunities shared on our work for us page, if you are looking for a new career then head over to our page her www.clwydalyn.co.uk/work-for-us/

Looking for a career as a chef?

We offer on the job training and will support you to complete level 2 Accredited Food Safety amongst other courses such as Allergens, Infection Control and Health & Safety. We also find out about your strengths and listen to how you would like to develop. Progression available also to develop team leader or management skills

with access to ILM level 2 in Team Leader skills or level 3 in Management CATERING APPRENTICE On the job training

Assist cook

Learn about food

Prep meals

Safety hygiene

Ensure workplace Keep safe clean and tidy

Help prep food

IT BENEF GE A PACK 26

KITCHEN ASSISTANT

COOK Order and plan menus Ensure meals cooked to standards and delivered on time

CHEF Oversee the catering facilities and team efficiencies

We offer a benefits package including membership of pension scheme with employer matched contributions up to 8%, cycle to work scheme, eye care vouchers and a financial wellbeing package, 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays leading up to 30 days, life assurance, EAP programme and a comprehensive training package, all in a values-based organisation with a great culture.

YOUR LOOK INTO...

Warming sausage casserole Serves 4

A dish to be shared around the table. Perfect for those cold winter days, this dish is what you should find in the dictionary when you look up heartwarming.

Always good with bread and butter.

INGREDIENTS: 8 Sausages (pick your favourites) 1 onion 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary x2 400g tins of plum tomatoes x2 400g tins of cannellini beans 2 tsp harissa paste 200ml chicken stock You will also need a drizzle of oil

Equipment: Oven-proof frying pan or ordinary frying pan and casserole dish.

Chopping board Sharp knife Measuring Jug Woodern spoon (or anything you usually use to stir with) Sieve

A winter warmer, a lovely cosy meal shared by our partners WellFed. If you would like to try a meat free dish you can do so by adding Quorn sausage, it will be just as tasty! Lets cook!

1. Peel and roughly chop the onion into chunks, no need to be neat!

2. remove the leaves from the rosemary and finely chop as small as possible.

3. Make up the stock using boiling water and a chicken stock cube or stock pot.

4. Drain the beans using your sieve, rinse the beans a few times with cold water to get off any residue.

5. Preheat the oven to 200°c.

6. Drizzle a little oil into the frying pan and heat over a low-medium heat. Throw in your sausages and fry for about 5 minutes, until browned all over. Once the sausages are nice and brown, remove from the pan and set aside for later.

7. Drizzle a little more oil into the pan and throw in the chopped onions. Cook over a low heat until they have softened and have turned slightly golden. Add the chopped rosemary and a pinch of salt and stir together.

8. Next add the Harrissa paste to the pan and stir together (we borrowed this tip from Nigel Slater).

9. Add the chopped tomatoes, cannellini beans and stock to the pan and mix together with the other ingredients. Bring the mixture to the boil for a moment and then lower the heat. Add the sausages you set aside earlier and stir, making sure everything is well combined.

10. Check the seasoning and adjust accordingly to your taste, then bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour or until the casserole has thickened.

11. If you’re using a pan that is not oven proof, transfer the casserole to an oven proof dish and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour or until the casserole has thickened to your liking.

12. Serve alongside some crusty bread or creamy mash!

Well-Fed offer Home Boxes which have been designed to help you eat well and cook-easy. Each box is created by our highly skilled chefs and all of our meals are designed with the help of a registered dietitian. Check them out here www.cancook.co.uk/well-fed-at-home/

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Your Competition This year we are doing an EXTRA COMPETITION.

We want to see your Christmas trees, your Christmas craft, some Christmas baking… basically anything Christmas!

YOU WILL BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN 1st - £30 shopping vouchers 2nd - £20 shopping vouchers 3rd - £10 shopping vouchers

Don’t miss out… send your Christmas snaps over to communications@clwydalyn.co.uk or by text to 07880431004

Spot the difference competition 1.

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Closing date for entries is 4th January 2022 3 lucky winners will be contacted by 10th January 2022

Congratulations to our summer competition winners Tianna-Aaliyah Edwards - Flintshire Peter Duffy - Welsh Pool Eluned Plack - Wrexham

NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL ADDRESS

To be in with a chance of winning; Write your Full name, telephone number, email address and address.

ADDRESS

Send in to our Head office address 72 Ffordd William Morgan, St Asaph Business Park, St Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0JD Tel: 01745 536800 or email in to communications@clwydalyn.co.uk

ClwydAlyn.co.uk

@ClwydAlyn