Making a Difference Together

Opening Doors – Enhancing Lives

www.clwydalyn.co.uk

Making a Difference

Together

The difference your involvement has made throughout our Resident Involvement and Community Development Activities in 2013-2014.

Telephone: 0800 183 5757 or 01745 536800 Email: enquiries@clwydalyn.co.uk Clwyd Alyn Housing Association is a charitable Industrial and Provident Society

Impact Assessment: The Difference your Involvement has made throughout our Resident Involvement and Community Development Activities in 2013/14 At Clwyd Alyn, we aim to place your needs at the heart of everything we do.

With this in mind, this Impact Assessment details what difference your taking part in Resident Involvement and Community Development Activities has made, to both our services and local communities in the period April 2013 to March 2014.

You will see that Outcomes are mentioned throughout this document.

What we mean by this is how our services and communities are improving as a result of Resident involvement. We do realise however, that in some cases outcomes may only be seen in the future, as and when information becomes available to demonstrate the value of your involvement.

How did your Involvement during 2013/14 help to improve services, how did it take place, and what difference has it made to the way in which we work?

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Supporting Residents Groups: setting up and supporting groups continued to be one of our aims throughout the year and two new groups were established.

Our Residents asked for training to hold more effective meetings and to improve their skills. The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Cymru ran a training course to fulfil this need. After the course, which was well received, one Resident said “I have learnt a lot of new things to try which should help increase the membership of our group”. Another felt that the day had “helped me to realise the importance of being an active member of my Residents Association”.

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Results Based Accountability (RBA) and Self-Assessment have provided a new way for Residents to become involved.

The Welsh Government checks on the performance of all Housing Associations to ensure that Residents views are central to the delivery of services.

Residents joined seven themed groups to help us in this process. One of our Resident volunteers remembers a “them and us” attitude in the past but now feels that she is “engaging with Officers on a regular basis as equals”.

Our Resident led Service Improvement Committee sits just below Clwyd Alyn’s Board of Management and ensures that the views of Residents are fed directly to Board Members.

This year the committee has recommended policies to the Board on Resident Involvement and Community Development, Starter Tenancies, the Impact of Welfare Reform, the Pets Policy and Rent Setting. One member has said “our role is to review and make recommendations on policies and strategies. During this time I know my views have influenced the way Clwyd Alyn provides services to us, the Residents. I have learnt a lot about Clwyd Alyn and the work they do and I thoroughly enjoy working with them”.

Making a Difference Together

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The Resident Newsletter – Residents had told us that they wanted a greater involvement in producing our newsletter.

A Resident led editorial panel was set up and members have worked hard to produce the summer and Christmas 2013 newsletters. The editorial panel agrees the content and some members have provided articles themselves. Because panel members take their role seriously it is not just, “Clwyd Alyn saying this is what we think you have got to know. We on the panel have got to balance it, make it interesting enough for people to want to read it”.

Our Service Panel Review Sessions bring together Residents from all our individual panels and the Staff who support them.

Two meetings were held in April and September 2013 which allowed Residents and Staff to check progress and also showed how Residents’ views were leading to improvements in service delivery. Resident feedback about their involvement was videoed for the first time at the April review meeting. One commented “I like the idea I can sit there and say that’s not right”. Another noted “you actually see that things are happening because of your involvement.

It is not just a talking shop, there are actions taken afterwards”.

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The Service level Agreement (SLA) between Clwyd Alyn and PenAlyn our in house Maintenance Company has been agreed by a focus group.

The focus group which includes Residents agreed the SLA which is now in operation. The focus group will review this on a regular basis which demonstrates our commitment to involving Residents at all levels of decision making.

Our first Resident Customer Service Ambassadors were appointed in May and have met regularly since.

Four Resident Customer Service Ambassadors work with Staff to improve customer service throughout the organisation. They also form part of the judging panel for our ‘STAR’ awards where the contribution of Staff to customer service beyond ‘the call of duty’ is recognised.

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The ‘Meet the Management Team’ focus group was set up to provide an opportunity for Residents to meet with the Group Chief Executive, Deputy and Directors to discuss issues of mutual interest.

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This group met in June 2013, with over 50 Residents and Staff members attending. This meeting helped us to demonstrate our desire to be open and accountable. Residents and Staff who attended felt they understood each other’s views about the range of services provided and the way they are delivered.

One Resident found the day ‘very informative’ adding ‘I have learnt a lot that I can pass on to other Residents’. A Resident new to Clwyd Alyn commented that the ‘meeting was very interesting and informative’.

Our Waiting List, Transfer forms, Interim transfer policy focus group met in June 2013.

The meeting agreed the new forms and housing options advice sheets to guide Residents and potential Residents through their applications. These forms are now available bi-lingually and are in daily use by Officers and also reflect the views of Residents of these particular services. An amended Interim Transfer policy is now in place, changing the way we handle transfer applications and how we allocate properties according to family size and make-up. This will help current and future Residents from falling into financial difficulties as a result of welfare benefit reform changes. A panel member commented, “It’s nice to see in plain English how Clwyd Alyn, as the Landlord, is able to help Residents who are struggling. At the same time, it is important that Residents know what is expected of them in terms of repaying their debts.”

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The theme of 2013’s Summer Estate Walkabout programme was the UK Government changes to housing and welfare benefits.

We managed to visit around 300 Residents across the six counties where we work. We followed up concerns by providing information and support to Residents, including where appropriate, referrals to our Welfare Benefits and Debt Advisor, to help them understand the changes and how they might be affected.

We asked Residents important questions about their home and community. 91% of Residents who we met felt that events like these, where we come out to the communities and talk directly to Residents about the issues and concerns they have, was a good idea and represented value for money. For instance, one Resident commented that it “helps a lot, I feel I know what’s going on”.

Following the (Landlord wide) STAR survey in 2012 and our estate survey in summer 2013, finding out more about our homes and communities is something that we have concentrated more on with your support.

Asking how you feel about your home and community and whether Clwyd Alyn has a good reputation in your area allows us to build a body of evidence about how we are viewed in the wider community.

We will be using this information to build a comprehensive picture about what you think of Clwyd Alyn, the services we provide and how they can be improved further.

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Resfest, the annual conference for young people from our Supported Living projects is a multi-award winning event.

Residents chose discrimination as the theme for the 2013 event. The title ‘Resfest – Refused’, was a catch all term for any form of discrimination. Residents and the range of agencies who attended the day were very enthusiastic about the event’s impact. For example, one Resident said that it was “a really good theme” and another noted that they enjoyed “meeting new people”. An agency representative felt that it was “a really good day” adding “it seems like a really good opportunity for young people to get involved, to promote what young people do and celebrate their achievements.”

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The Communications Panel met in August to seek Residents views on the Welsh Government White Paper: Renting Homes, a Better Way for Wales.

The opportunity was taken to ensure the views of Residents were incorporated into Clwyd Alyn’s response to this consultation.

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Communications Panel meeting

Letters in Contact Manager. A focus group meeting took place on the 10th September 2013 and sought Residents views on the range of standard letters we use in our database known as Contact Manager.

A range of letters were reviewed and updated as appropriate. The Information Services department is currently revising systems to accommodate the changes agreed at the focus group in Contact Manager.

Our new Asset Management Panel consists of Residents and Officers who will consider disposing of properties or converting them to meet a new need.

The panel has provided an opportunity for Residents to improve their skills by working with Officers at a strategic level, making important decisions about properties. As one of the Resident members put it, this is “a panel which takes an objective view on how assets can be used in the best way to the benefit of the Association and of future Residents!”

Our Annual Residents Conference took place in October 2013 and concentrated on welfare benefit changes.

The day included a topical range of workshops, presentations and trade stands from outside agencies, providing interesting information for Residents.

Overall 79% of Residents confirmed that they felt better informed about the Housing and Welfare Benefit changes as a result of attending. One Resident commented that the content was very relevant, with good presentations and “lots of advice and leaflets available and where to find more help and information”.

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Our Quality Partners, who are Residents that have been trained to inspect Landlord services, have the freedom to choose the subject areas they investigate and examine the way Clwyd Alyn works on a day to day basis.

This year they finished their audit on our Landscape Maintenance Service. They met with the Managers and most of their recommendations have been accepted.

One of the main recommendations was for setting up a new role for Residents, called Landscape Champions. These Champions work in partnership with Officers and the Landscape Contractor to monitor and shape the Landscape / Gardening contract in the areas where they live. As one of our new volunteers commented, “we all care about where we live and being a Landscape Champion means I can help improve the appearance of our schemes, through working closely with Clwyd Alyn and the Landscape Contractor, Ground Control”, adding “we can make a difference if we all work together”. The new inspection that the Quality Partners are currently working on is services for Older Residents.

Our Business Plan focus group makes sure that Residents are involved in the decisions of future services.

After presentations from Officers, Residents were able to contribute their ideas as to what Clwyd Alyn should concentrate on next year. A Resident commented that they found the meeting “to be most helpful and the presentations very enlightening. Some of the statistics came as a bit of a surprise but essentially made the job of prioritising that much easier. What it did highlight was the difficult task that Clwyd Alyn has in planning for the future”.

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The Leaseholder Forum, consisting of Leaseholders, Shared Owners and Officers, met regularly in the year.

Following the Leaseholder (STAR) satisfaction survey an action plan to address all concerns and raise Resident Satisfaction was developed.

Other subjects discussed, included the sub-letting policy, an approved list of contractors and monitoring rent arrears on a regular basis.

Residents from the Communications Panel recently met to review the new Compliments, Concerns and Complaints policy.

The meetings looked at the style and content for new leaflets. As one of the Residents who attended pointed out, “it is both enlightening and informative to see how the complaints procedure works”. The ability to register satisfaction/ dissatisfaction with the services we provide remains an important area for Resident involvement. Seven Residents have been recruited to the mini complaints panel and we will be able to develop their investigative skills to ensure that we are responding to formal complaints in the right way.

Landscape Champions

Leaseholder Forum

During 2013-2014 we also organised and supported a wide range of projects which helped to make a real difference in North Wales’ communities, either by:  

1. Enhancing the local environment 2. And/or Improving people’s quality of life So how did your involvement in Community Development activities in 2013/14 help to enhance the local environment? Through: Residents taking part in environmental projects, for example:

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In Garden City, Flintshire, volunteers worked with Groundwork North Wales to improve local community green space, including: putting in raised beds and native fruit trees. As part of this initiative, children from Sealand Primary School worked with an artist to create a clay mural that featured local landmarks and wildlife meaningful to them.

Local Residents were able to develop their skills and confidence while improving the community for all to enjoy. The health and wellbeing of participants was enhanced, as the project helped people to: connect to others, become more active, take notice of their local environment, keep learning and give to others. Many local Residents were brought together through the activity sessions and now have a real sense of ownership and pride for the improved outdoor area that they helped to develop. We are currently working with local officers and Residents to find an ideal place to locate the mural that local children have worked on, they thoroughly enjoyed creating this and once placed, it will help to instil a real sense of pride into this community.

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Residents living in Princes Street, Rhyl have been working in partnership with Clwyd Alyn, North Wales Police (NWP) and the Welsh Government on a project that aims to improve their local area.

Regular community meetings have been held where information has been shared about what was felt to be most needed.

Works to date have included: temporary CCTV being installed; street cleaning; enhanced lighting; and reinforced letter boxes in the area and works are still ongoing. Work in Princes Street has made a real difference to this community. NWP statistics show that there has been a decrease in crime and anti-social behaviour incidents in 2013 compared to 2011 and 2012. Also more and more families with children are now moving into the street.

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Residents and front line staff attended three ‘Energy Best Deal’ sessions (funded by Citizens Advice). One session took place in Dyfodol Supported Living scheme and two took place in our 2013 Resident Conference which was held in New Brighton. One of our Residents also helped us to create a DVD in January 2014, with the support of CD&P Media, to promote the key messages of BIG Energy Saving Week and we also secured a slot on local community radio station, Calon FM (based in Wrexham) to further promote important messages from this national campaign.

All of the Energy Best Deal sessions were well attended; these highlighted the range of support available to local Residents around: fuel costs, including energy efficiency, grants and benefits and where people can go for help with fuel debt. Many of our Residents told us that they found these sessions very useful and were “likely to look for a better deal on their energy supply” and that they had felt “better informed about relevant grants and how to switch energy supplier” after attending sessions. Independent evaluation findings showed that 77% of people who attended said that they would ‘definitely or probably do something as a result of attending sessions’ 95% of frontline advice workers “felt more confident in advising clients on one or more topics covered in the presentation”. Creating a DVD, which promoted the key messages of BIG Energy Saving Week, also helped share important energy saving advice and information - and this was made available to any of our Residents who can access our Face Book site. Promoting key messages via community radio also enabled us to highlight where local Residents can go to find out about insulation, switching suppliers and find other energy saving tips.

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Residents got involved in numerous litter picks and clean up events across North Wales. For example, families took part in community litter picks and/or skip days at: Lon yr Orsaf, Mold (Mold Spring Clean); Aberkinsey Park, Halkyn Road, Flint and Cae Gruffydd in Rhyl and Rosehill, Wrexham.

For some events, we teamed up with local supermarkets (Tesco and Morrisons) to run competitions where prizes were awarded to Residents who collected the most litter from estates, which made the work fun and rewarding.

Through these actions, Residents have “felt more involved in their local community” and thought that their “estate looked better following events”.

For example in just one litter pick, young people in Lon yr Orsaf, Mold with their parents and Keep Wales Tidy did a sterling job and collected 7 bags of litter from their estate, which made a visible difference to their community.

Young Resident Litter Pick

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Taking part in Wakestock Festival Salvage Operation. The Residents and Clwyd Alyn officers filled a flatbed truck with items that festival goers left behind (sleeping bags, roll mats, wellington boots etc.) which stopped those items from going to landfill.

These salvaged items were put to good use by being distributed to 30 local rough sleepers.

The Senior Project Worker at Tŷ Nos night shelter commented that “these are always sought after, especially if rough sleepers can’t get in to the shelter for a night”. Another senior project officer felt the activity had “produced effective team work for both staff and Residents” and demonstrated to the young participants “that there are people a lot worse off than them and that their actions really can make a difference”. The event also encouraged staff and Residents to forge relationships with people in similar situations to them and our Supported Living Manager confirmed that “the stuff we get from the festival has been a great help to a wide variety of Residents” and therefore he believes it’s “a good event... to be involved in”.

Getting involved in local biodiversity projects. Much of this work has been done in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy and/or Groundwork. For example: • In Flint, young people took part in a ‘river dipping’ event in their local ‘Tyddyn’ stream, in summer 2013. This involved children scooping out local pond life and then using a chart to identify what they’d found and putting it back in the stream.

• In Treuddyn, Residents created: bird feeders, plant holders and insect hotels out of natural materials, over the October half term. They then took these items home to help attract birds and insects to their gardens • A group of young people in fancy dress in Rhyl took part in a ‘creepy crawly bug hunt’ before Halloween to see what insects they could identify in their local neighbourhood.

• Young people from Lon yr Orsaf in Mold made butterfly feeders out of recycled materials, which they very much enjoyed and which helped to attract butterflies to their gardens. This is important as many native species of butterflies are under threat of extinction or have already died out.

• Groundwork ran a session at Llys David Lord, Wrexham over February 2014 half term that taught young people how to make bird nesting boxes and bird feeders.

• Residents in Flintshire and Conwy took part in several ‘Wild Weekend’ events; this national campaign aims to increase the number of native bees and butterflies in Wales. For example, our activities involved children and young people making bee hotels and planting flowers, to attract pollinating insects and brighten up their communities.

These projects helped to improve young people’s understanding about nature. Residents told us that they enjoyed learning about and/or creating items to benefit native species (including some protected and endangered species) and had fun getting together to develop new skills.

Residents said they welcomed events that helped “get kids out together” and which gave them something positive to do during the holidays. Some of the teachers and outdoor learning mentors that supported children with the ‘Wild Weekend initiatives’ also told us: • “It is lovely to be able to bring our school children to help plant at the park. They will enjoy bringing their family & friends here to show off their work” • “I like the children having the opportunity to learn more about the outdoors whilst working in and helping the community” At some of these events Residents also enjoyed being able to take items they had made, home (i.e. bird feeders and boxes) to develop new wildlife habitats in their own gardens.

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Community Growing and Gardening projects. Local Residents are now working the 22 allotments based in Garden City, Flintshire. In addition: • Hurst Newton established a gardening project, after securing funding from Wrexham’s ‘GwirVol’ (youth led) grants scheme to: build a raised bed at their scheme for growing their own vegetables; a greenhouse to grow salad vegetables and a shed to keep gardening equipment in. Residents put both the shed and greenhouse together themselves, with the support of staff.

• Airbus kindly developed raised beds for Wrexham Foyer in late 2013 and the scheme now hopes to develop a ‘market garden’, which will involve Residents growing their own vegetables. The long term ambition is to produce enough vegetables so that the scheme can develop a social enterprise, where local Residents are able to buy cheap organic vegetables.

• A number of other local Resident Groups and schemes (i.e. Ochr y Bryn in Halkyn, Llys Mornant in Ffynnongroyw and Nant Mawr Court Sheltered Housing Scheme in Buckley) have also developed gardening projects, to brighten up their respective communities.

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Community growing initiatives improve the health and well being of local Residents because they provide access to a cheap source of fresh fruit and vegetables and therefore a healthier diet; an opportunity to spend time outside enjoying nature; a sense of achievement from growing produce and a chance to escape the pressures of modern living, which in turn can help to reduce stress.

The new volunteer opportunities that have been created from these initiatives have benefitted local communities.

Local Residents have developed new skills, learned about nutrition and grown their own food. Gardening together also helps build community spirit and is a great form of exercise. AVOW’s Youth Volunteering Development Officer actually put Hurst Newton Residents forward for a Rotary Club ‘Young Citizen Award’ in light of all the great voluntary work they have been doing to improve their community over the last year, with their gardening initiative, which is a tremendous achievement.

So how did your involvement in Community Development activities in 2013/14 help improve people’s quality of life?

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Working with Cartrefi Conwy and North Wales Housing Association on a ‘Conwy Community Voice’ project, Residents have taken part in a wide range of fun events and activities that have helped grassroots communities drive change and improve services across Conwy. For example, to date, Conwy Community Voice has organised ‘silent cinema’ events for Residents living in Hafan Gwydir Extra Care scheme.

Delivered by TAPE Community Music & Film, these have involved elderly Residents watching 1920s black and white films, accompanied by a live organist, socialising over tea and cakes and then getting involved in relevant consultations, also recording their memories about the 1940s. Another success of Conwy Community Voice is in establishing a forum that is benefitting Residents living in our Pentre Mawr sheltered housing scheme.

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Feedback from the ‘silent cinema events’ has been fantastic. Sessions have given Residents the chance to reminisce, make new friends and meet some old friends from the wider community (as other local Residents were also invited to attend).

Hafan Gwydir’s Extra Care Manager said events have helped to “break down barriers so that we are becoming more integrated with the local community”.

Also Pentre Mawr Residents Forum has enabled Residents to discuss many topics over afternoon tea and the warden said that Residents look forward to meetings “as they know that they are being listened to”. This is important as a key aim of Conwy Community Voice is for local people to become more confident and involved in making decisions that affect their future. Community Voice development workers follow up issues and concerns from Residents at events, talking with local service providers and then feeding back to Residents.

Successes include ‘a drop-in’ Hearing Aid venue being set up in Abergele and information has been sent to Pentre Mawr Residents on how they can apply for special toilet cards if needed.

Hafan Gwydir, Silent Cinema

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Through helping people protect themselves from becoming victims of crime and anti-social behaviour in future.

For example: • In Gaerwen, Anglesey, Residents got involved in a ‘pre Halloween party’, where families came together to learn how to carve professional looking pumpkins. Also while children were being amazed by a magician (Clwyd Alyn’s very own I.S Training Officer) and involved in fun craft work and colouring competitions, their parents had the chance to enjoy pampering, courtesy of Sure Group, who arranged spooky nail painting for them.

• Halkyn Road Residents worked with Clwyd Alyn, North Wales Police and our contractors (Sure Group, ICI Paints Akzonobel and Simmons) to organise a Halloween party in the Royal British Legion, Flint. This party was for younger children and supported by a £200 grant from the local Police Arson Reduction Team.

• During February half term 2014 we organised, in partnership with Flintshire County Council and North Wales Police, an ‘under 12s’ party which was promoted and attended

by Garden City Residents. This fun event involved a disco, face painting and a fancy dress competition for the children. Neighbourhood Wardens and local PCSOs also attended to share crime prevention advice with parents and to discuss any concerns they might have.

Residents “Pre Halloween” Party 12

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Two of the above events helped keep young children safe on Halloween and Bonfire night as they were safe alternatives to ‘Trick or Treating’ and a great way for families to get together to have fun and learn. Residents also appreciated the opportunity to come together with neighbours as one resident said “I found it very good for our community”. Leaflets were given out on the night to raise awareness about current Welfare Reforms and how people can ‘Keep Safe on Bonfire night’. When asked how we could have improved the Flint Halloween event, one resident said, “It could not have been improved it was very well organised and kids enjoyed it”.

A Resident who attended the Gaerwen event said they thought it was “perfect”.

The ‘under 12s’ party in Garden City during February 2014 was also popular, giving local children something fun to do over the holidays and bringing local Residents together. As local PCSOs and Neighbourhood Wardens attended this event, they helped to raise awareness about the steps Residents can take themselves, to reduce the likelihood of them becoming victims of crime in future and also what relevant support is available throughout the County.

Feedback from this event was very positive as Residents said the event helped them feel ‘more involved in their local community’. One Resident kindly wrote to us after the event to say “we all enjoyed the evening and thought it was brill. Thank you for a great evening... and we look forward to more events like it... everybody loved it and we would happily pay, especially if it means there will be other events for the kids. If I can be of any help at all in the future then please don’t hesitate to let me know”.

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Through helping reduce elderly Residents’ fear of crime and raising awareness about what support emergency services can offer local Residents. For example: • Both Llys Erw and Pentre Mawr Resident Groups helped to organise ‘Community Safety Days’ at their schemes. These events included a mixture of fun entertainment for example, Llys Erw Residents organised a community BBQ and a boules tournament for all ages and Pentre Mawr organised an indoor party and invited a neighbouring school.

• Rosehill Residents Group, Wrexham organised a fun ‘Emergency Services Day’ for their community in Summer 2013. This included local PCSOs, a fire engine and representatives from the RNLI coming along to talk to local Residents, as well as a community clean up and some fun activities to reward children for all their hard work.

• The Community Safety Days at our sheltered housing schemes helped to raise awareness about what steps Residents can take to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime in the future. Indeed through these events giving out useful crime prevention advice and information, Residents found them empowering and it helped to reduce some elderly Residents’ fear of crime. Indeed many Residents said that they found the information given out on Home Security and Fire Safety “very useful”.

• The Rosehill Housing Officer applauded the “Emergency day (in Wrexham) for... bringing the estate together... seeing the different age groups mixing together and breaking down the barriers which have been apparent in the past. Another valuable outcome was the education aspect of what each service provided, in particular the life boat service, as... many of the youngsters will visit the seaside on many occasions so sea safety is a potential life saver”. Talking to local children about ‘fire safety and not misusing 999’ was also thought to have been of great benefit, as this got “the children thinking about these issues which can be potential life savers and was done in a familiar and fun setting”.

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Through bringing different generations together. For example: • Pentre Mawr Residents have continued working with Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan on an ‘Intergenerational Paired Reading Project’ which has benefitted elderly Residents and Key Stage 3 pupils. This project (through the use of Kindles) has provided an opportunity for pupils to develop their reading skills, as elderly Residents are happy to listen to pupils read, giving children an ideal chance to practice in a supportive environment.

• Isallt and Pentre Mawr Residents took part in a six week, intergenerational ‘Cook & Eat course’ during late 2013.

The above projects have helped ‘bridge the generation gap’ and achieved other important outcomes. For example: • The Paired Reading Project helped local Residents become more aware of new technology, while improving pupils reading skills and friendships were forged between the different generations. Feedback from all involved to date has been excellent and this project was shortlisted for a 2013 Welsh Housing Award! A teacher from Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan said: “it has been lovely seeing the two generations reading and talking together... overall this project has improved reading, communication and technology skills and developed some lovely friendships between the pupils and the Residents... it has been a pleasure being involved”. Pentre Mawr’s warden added that: “the friendship that has sprung up between the generations is remarkable ... one resident was overwhelmed when a pupil told her that he liked reading for her, this resident had had little contact with this age group having no children of her own ... I truly feel that (this project) has made a difference to both age groups, not just in embracing new technology but in crossing a generation gap, showing there is no difference when one finds (and connects through) the love of reading”.

• Feedback from the Cook and Eat course held at Isallt was similarly encouraging. As a project worker explained, “one of our Residents has already made a friend with one of the Residents from Pentre Mawr. It is so lovely that the generation gap can be narrowed in this way, with everyone enjoying the other’s company... the feedback from all concerned has been really positive”. Pentre Mawr’s warden told us that “Residents... really enjoyed it and can’t wait for next Monday to go again. They were the envy of the other Residents when they explained all that they had learned... especially enjoying the meal and the company of the young people at the hostel... One resident was able to discuss her diet problems with the tutor and he had given her a lot of help. It was really heart-warming to see them so happy and enthusiastic” so overall this was an enjoyable project with lots of important outcomes developing skills, forging friendships across the generations and learning how to improve one’s diet, when on a budget.

Through Hafan Gwydir Residents taking part in the 2013 Gwanwyn Festival.

This annual, national festival aims to celebrate creativity and offers opportunities for older people to get involved in the Arts. In May 2013 we secured a grant from Gwanwyn which paid for a local artist to come into Hafan Gwydir Extra Care scheme and deliver a couple of day art workshops for Residents.

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Enhancing digital inclusion in communities where we operate through developing Information and Communication Technology skills.

For example: • Informal, two-part courses for absolute beginners have been organised by Voluntary Councils and ‘Communities 2.0’ for Residents across North Wales. Residents who expressed an interest (to Clwyd Alyn) in developing their computer skills were sent details of local courses by staff so that they could then access courses if they wished to do so.

• ‘Eco Systems’ kindly donated a number of laptops and computers to a couple of our schemes so that Residents can continue developing their ICT skills.

• Oldford Tenant Association (OTA) Welshpool, supported by local Housing Officers, successfully applied for monies from Big Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ scheme; this has enabled them to buy computers for their community and run tailored training courses to benefit local Residents.

2013 Gwanwyn Festival

O • Some Residents who attended Beginners Computer courses have fed back what a difference these courses have made to them personally. For example, one Wrexham Resident explained “After receiving information through the post... I have attended the Beginners Computer course and I feel that it has been very beneficial and very well taught”.

• Some of our schemes now have laptops and/or computers based in communal areas, thanks to the generosity of ‘Eco Systems’. This has enabled Residents to now: search and apply for jobs and move on accommodation, make benefit claims online, update their CVs, continue computer training (to make them more ‘job ready’), use money saving comparison sites (such as MoneySupermarket.com) to make sure that they get the ‘best deal’ and to keep in touch with family and friends which helps prevent isolation and loneliness.

• Oldford’s Senior Housing Officer explains that the digital inclusion project has had many benefits, “enabling Residents to access up to date digital technology in a safe and comfortable learning environment, providing Residents with an opportunity to acquire a basic knowledge of computer skills and a wider understanding of digital technology”. He also anticipates that “the learning gained from this experience will assist in employment situations as well as preparing Residents for Universal Credit, which will have to be claimed online. Young people from the community will have access to the internet for completion of school study such as research for projects and homework”.

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Through organising events that bring neighbours together through fun activities: For example: • A ‘Meet Your Neighbours’ event was held at Llys Alarch, Flint in summer 2013. This involved Residents meeting in the grounds of their scheme for food and refreshments. Their current needs were discussed so these could then be followed up and addressed with the support of officers and their local resident group. This event was a great success with approximately half of all Residents on the scheme attending • Other areas have also organised fun events for their local communities.

For example in September 2013, a ‘fun day’ was organised in Welshpool, that included looking at what skills there are on the Oldford estate, encouraging Residents to get involved in the local Resident Association and helping people to socialise within their own community.

• In December 2013, Residents at Hafan Glyd, Shotton joined Residents at Llys Eleanor Extra Care scheme for a fun ‘Christmas Wreath Making’ event, which was supported by Keep Wales Tidy as well as Clwyd Alyn officers.

Fun community events have helped bring people together and improved community relations. Llys Alarch Residents said that their ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ event was very useful, as people had fun and got to know their neighbours better. Following this event, the Resident group actually secured a grant which enabled them to purchase a BBQ, garden benches and a metal shed, so Residents can now organise their own community events in future and get together more. Oldford’s fun day also achieved its aims, getting “people from the local community coming together and having an enjoyable time”.

A

Action

O

Outcome

Working with local businesses: For example, MoneySupermarket.com have supported a couple of worthwhile projects during 2013-14 that has benefitted local Residents, including: • A ‘Carty Queen of Shops’ initiative in May 2013 where five members of their staff were given £20 each to buy items from a ‘wish list’, that rough sleepers accessing Tŷ Nos had put together.

• Supporting our annual ResFest event by donating £500 for us to put towards raffle prizes for the young people who attended on the day.

Making a Difference Together

O

Both of these initiatives have made a real difference to Residents’ quality of life.

Staff at Tŷ Nos fed back that the ‘Carty Queen of Shops’ challenge was really useful to local rough sleepers. The Senior Project Worker said “a massive thank you... as the items will go a long way to helping the Residents for many a month”. MoneySupermarket.com staff also reported having enjoyed the challenge, so we are hoping to run a similar campaign with them again during 2014.

Clwyd Alyn’s annual ResFest event was as successful as ever in 2013 when young people from our Supported Living Projects got together to learn about discrimination, by taking part in educational workshops. They had the chance to socialise with people from other Supported Living Projects, to showcase their skills and achievements through performing and/or helping out on the day and of course, have fun.

Finally, a massive thank you from us to YOU, the Residents. We are aware that many events and activities are only possible with the help and support from our Residents, Pennaf Group staff, external partners and grant funding. We really couldn’t have made a difference without Residents and we look forward to continue working with you in 2014-15!

Carty Queen of Shops

17

Perfformiad / Performance Mae’r cyfrifoldeb am reoli Grŵp Tai Pennaf yn y pen draw yn aros gyda’r Byrddau Rheoli perthnasol, sy’n cynnwys Aelodau a etholir yn flynyddol. Mae gan Aelodau’r Byrddau gyfoeth o sgiliau a phrofiad a enillwyd dros nifer o flynyddoedd, ac maent yn cynnig eu gwasanaethau a’u harbenigedd i Grŵp Tai Pennaf ar sail hollol wirfoddol.

96

83

71

39

Teulu Family

Tenantiaeth Cyngor Council Tenancy

Gwely a Brecwast Bed & Breakfast

Ffeithiau a Ffigurau / Facts & Figures ÃÃ Yn ystod 2013/14, gosodwyd 478 o gartrefi Anghenion Cyffredinol a Cysgodol During 2013/14, 478 General Needs and Sheltered homes were let ÃÃ Yr amser a gymerwyd ar gyfartaledd i ail-osod tai gwag oedd 4.06 wythnos Average time taken to re-let vacant properties was 4.06 weeks ÃÃ Eiddo Gwag: mae cyfanswm yr incwm rhenti a gollwyd yn cyfateb i 1.75% o gyfanswm y rhenti y gellid eu casglu Voids: total rent income lost equated to 1.75% of total rent collectable

Atgyweiriadau Repairs: Argyfwng / Emergency Brys / Urgent Heb frys / Non-urgent

Cwblhawyd o Fewn: Completed Within: 1.11 diwrnod / 1.11 days 4.8 diwrnod / 4.8 days 20.97 diwrnod / 20.97 days

Mae Clwyd Alyn a Tŷ Glas yn Gymdeithasau elusennol Ddiwydiannol a Darbodus Clwyd Alyn and Tŷ Glas are charitable Industrial and Provident Societies

ÃÃ Y r amser a gymerwyd ar gyfartaledd i osod tai newydd a drosglwyddwyd i’w rheoli oedd 0.00 wythnos neu ar ddiwrnod eu trosglwyddo gan Datblygu Average time taken to let new properties handed over into management was 0.00 weeks or on day of handover from Development ÃÃ Gwariant cyfartalog ar Gynnal a Chadw yr uned £1,374 Average Maintenance expenditure per unit £1,374 ÃÃ Gwariodd y Gymdeithas £616.82 yr uned ar gyfartaledd ar Reolaeth Tai Average Housing Management expenditure per unit £616.82 ÃÃ Cost atgyweiriadau o ddydd-i-ddydd ar gyfartaledd £189.38 Average cost of day-to-day repairs £189.38 Nod Cyflawni: Target Completion: 1 diwrnod / 1 day 5 diwrnod / 5 days 28 diwrnod / 28 days

Cymdeithasau Tai Eraill

121

£72.24 Fflat 1 gwely/2 berson 1 bed/2 person flat

Clwyd Alyn Clwyd Alyn

£74.18 Fflat 2 wely/3 person 2 bed/3 person flat

Tenantiaeth Preifat Private Tenancy

£75.24

Daliadaeth Blaenorol Previous Tenure

Tŷ 1 gwely/2 berson 1 bed/2 person house

32 Cytundebau Rheoli Management Agreements

£77.95

39 Y Farchnad Agored Open Market

Tŷ 2 wely/3 person 2 bed/3 person house

63 DIYHO DIYHO

£85.97

80 Cynllun Daliadaeth ar gyfer Pobl Hŷn Leasehold Scheme for the Elderly

Tŷ 3 gwely/4 person 3 bed/4 person house

99 DIYSO DIYSO

£89.46

127 Cymorth Prynu Home Buy

Tŷ 3 gwely/5 person 3 bed/5 person house

249 Gofal Ychwanegol Extra Care

£108.71

397 Rhan Berchnogaeth Shared Ownership

Tŷ 4 gwely 4 bed house

718

Rhenti Wythnosol ar Gyfartaledd Average Weekly Rents

Tai a Gofal Care & Support

Anghenion Cyffredinol (yn cynnwys Tai Cysgodol) General Needs (including Sheltered Housing)

3,708

Unedau o Stoc Units of Housing Stock

Ultimate responsibility for the management of the Pennaf Housing Group and its members rests with the respective Boards of Management, which are made up of Members elected annually. Members of the Boards have a wealth of skills and experience gained over many years, and offer their services and expertise to the Pennaf Housing Group on an entirely voluntary basis.

Cyclical

Cylchaidd

4 Symud Ymlaen Move-on

Planned

14 Eraill Other

St Asaph Office Registered Office for Pennaf, Clwyd Alyn, Tŷ Glas, Offa, Tir Tai, PenAlyn and PenElwy 72 Ffordd William Morgan St Asaph Business Park St Asaph Denbighshire LL17 0JD

£499,723.72

01978 714180

01745 538300

Swyddfa Llanelwy Swyddfa Gofrestredig ar gyfer Pennaf, Clwyd Alyn, Tŷ Glas, Offa, Tir Tai, PenAlyn a PenElwy 72 Ffordd William Morgan Parc Busnes Llanelwy Llanelwy Sir Ddinbych LL17 0JD

£2,441,814.69

Wedi ei gynllunio

75 Trosglwyddo/Cyfnewid Transfers/Exchanges

Day-to-day

68 Cyd-gyfnewid Mutual Exchange

O ddydd-i-ddydd

113 Rhestr Aros Waiting List

1 Llety Caeth Tied Accommodation

£3,399,523

205

5

Gwariant ar Gynnal a Chadw Maintenance Spending

Enwebiadau gan Gynghorau Council Nominations

7

Cyd-gyfnewid Mutual Exchange

28 Hosteli Hostels

Perchennog Preswyl Owner Occupier

28

39 Bed & Breakfast

Tarddiad Ymgeiswyr Source of Applicants

Cymdeithasau Tai Eraill Other Housing Associations

orol

Gofal a Thrwsio Wrecsam Ystad Ddiwydiannol Rhosddu Rhosddu Wrecsam LL11 4YL

Wrexham Care & Repair Rhosddu Industrial Estate Rhosddu Wrexham LL11 4YL

www.pennaf.co.uk

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