Home 85 | Spring 2014
The magazine for Poole Housing Partnership residents
FREE E D I S IN 014/15
Your 2 ndar e l a c t ren e back Se ge pa
Poole Park plans for the future PHP residents have their say during public consultation
Trinidad Village gets the green light Latest news on Poole’s extra care development
WIN!
A fam ice pa ily The Ass to SEE P rk AGE 5
INSIDE
/PooleHousing www.YourPHP.org.uk
New Resident lookhits PHP 100website | Mend It| NICE Mike | projects Join the PHP | Mend Board It Mike | Pension | Winter benefit warmers advice
Home WELCOME ...to the Spring edition of At Home
Alternative formats We can supply this information in large print, on audio CD or in your language. We can also send you a magnifier. Please call 01202 264436 to discuss your requirements.
This issue of At Home is going out at an exciting point in the growth and development of Poole Housing Partnership. PHP is now 10 years old and I think we can look back on the last decade with some pride on a job well done. Supported by £35m of government money, the housing stock of around 5,000 homes now meets the ‘Poole Standard’ of modernisation. Homes are now better insulated than ever and 1,500 have benefited from free solar electricity – you can find out more about the project on page 12. Resident satisfaction remains high, as does staff satisfaction. For the past six years, PHP has remained in the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For in the Not-for-Profit Sector. We also boast a government Customer Service Excellence Award! At last, we are able to build new affordable homes, and the first schemes are now under construction. Be sure to keep an eye on our website and social media feeds to find out more. As a result of our performance, Borough of Poole has agreed a 30-year management agreement, so we can now plan for the long-term – and help deliver more quality homes in strong communities in the future.
At Home At Home is produced for Poole Housing Partnership residents. We would like to include your own news, views and articles in future issues of At Home. Please send them to the address below, call 01202 264436 or email phpcomms@poole.gov.uk. Poole Housing Partnership Ltd Beech House 28-30 Wimborne Road Poole BH15 2BU Designed by Perception Printed by The Print Agency Distributed by Postcare The copyright of At Home is owned by Poole Housing Partnership and the content should not be reproduced without permission. www.facebook.com/PooleHousing twitter.com/PooleHousing
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At Home | Spring 2014
Joe Logan Chief Executive
INTERACT WITH PHP VIA FACEBOOK & TWITTER Did you know you can stay up to date with the latest PHP news and events by following us on Facebook and Twitter? All that you need to do is to go to: www.facebook.com/PooleHousing to find our Facebook page or go to: twitter.com/PooleHousing to find our Twitter feed. You’ll find daily updates from across our neighbourhoods, alerts, photos and chances for you to get involved with our activities. You can also post messages/tweets and interact with other residents on the issues that matter to you, whether that’s neighbourhood improvements, ASB, building works or other community-led initiatives. As well as news and other important information, we’ll be posting fun things and links to exclusive competitions, so keep an eye out!
WHAT’S IN
Home
Win a family ice pass to The Ark ...........................4
Meet the Resident Involvement Team ........7
Young residents bag more points ....................11
Green light for extra care scheme .....16
Newtown open spaces to be improved ............18
Mend It Mike shows you how it’s done .......23
New Roots keep on growing.........................................................................................................................................6 Danecourt resident hits 100 .........................................................................................................................................8 Sheltered coach trip ........................................................................................................................................................8 Would you like to join the PHP Board? ......................................................................................................................9 Does your scheme make the grade? .........................................................................................................................10 Your Solar Energy – where are we now? ...................................................................................................................12 Make a difference to the quality of life in your home ............................................................................................14 Poole Jobs Hub launched ...........................................................................................................................................14 Spotlight on pension age benefits ............................................................................................................................15 New look Newtown – coming soon! .........................................................................................................................18 Keep in touch with your Housing Officer ................................................................................................................19 Recipes to put a spring in your step ...........................................................................................................................20 Keep your home ventilated.........................................................................................................................................22
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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR PARK? Since opening in 1890, Poole Park has become the most popular open space in Poole. Now Borough of Poole, supported by PHP, is helping to make the park even better for future generations, by speaking to local people and bidding for Lottery money to make the changes you’d like to see. From 2014 to 2016, the Friends of Poole Park and Borough of Poole will be making a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help deliver improvements that have been identified by Poole residents. The Poole Park Life project, which PHP is proud to support, has been designed to allow residents to help shape the future of the park and what’s on offer – with a focus on the lake, playgrounds, landscaped areas and traffic arrangements – so that people continue to enjoy a memorable experience when they visit. A specially organised programme of events has already taken place this year, giving people the opportunity to speak with Borough of Poole’s Environmental Development Team, who is co-ordinating the activities.
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WIN A FAMILY SKATE PASS TO THE ARK! There’s never been a better time to visit Poole Park, with the brilliant new family attraction – “The Ark” – now open for business! Among the impressive new facilities are a three-storey soft-play area, café, ice cream parlour and ice skating rink. To find out more, visit www.thearkpoole.co.uk. The Ark is the perfect day out come rain or shine – and now PHP residents can join in the fun by entering our exclusive competition!
We’re offering one lucky At Home reader the chance to win a FREE FAMILY SKATE PASS to The Ark’s very own ice rink. All you have to do is answer this question correctly: The team has taken visitors on guided walks, organised bird count sessions, researched the quality of the water in the lake and rated the significance of the park’s historical features. Everyone who has attended an activity or meeting has been asked to complete a questionnaire, and the responses have helped demonstrate that Poole residents value the heritage of Poole Park and wish to conserve and enhance it and pass it on to future generations. PHP’s Resident Involvement Team helped collate people’s views during a family funday held in the February half term. “We asked children to leave their wishes for the park on our wishing tree and we were amazed by the response,” Resident Involvement Coordinator Sandra Willson said. “The kids clearly enjoy visiting the park and have some great ideas about what they’d like to see there in the future.” If the Heritage Lottery bid is successful it is likely that full funding would be available in 2017.
What year did Poole Park open? A) B) C)
1890 1900 1920
For a chance to win, simply “like” PHP on Facebook (search “Poole Housing Partnership”) and follow the details on the page to register your entry. You can also email you name, address, telephone number and answer to phpcomms@poole.gov.uk with “The Ark competition” in the subject line. Alternatively, you can post your entry to: The Ark Competition, Poole Housing Partnership Ltd, Beech House, 28-30 Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2BU. The closing date is Friday 2nd May. Good luck!
Competition terms and conditions: 1. This competition is open to PHP residents only 2. One entry per household. Multiple Facebook entries will not be counted. 3. The closing date is Friday 2nd May at midnight. 4. One winner will be selected at random and the editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. 5. The prize will be as stated. The prize cannot be transferred and there is no cash alternative. The prize consists of 1x ticket for two adults and two children for entry to The Ark ice rink. 6. All email and post submissions must include: name, address including postcode, email address and telephone number. Facebook entrants must be registered to a PHP address.
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NEW ROOTS KEEP ON GROWING Our community food-growing projects continue to attract lots of interest from residents across Poole. Turlin Moor Community Garden
Alderney Community Garden
Now in its second year, the local management committee at Turlin Moor Community Garden has planned an exciting range of activities and events for the whole community in 2014 (see www.yourphp.org.uk/newroots for more details).
Around 20 local people have expressed an interest in starting a small community garden project at Bedford Road North, with help from PHP.
Residents are free to drop in to the garden every Wednesday between 3.15pm and 4.45pm, while the next big event – appropriately called The Big Picnic – takes place on Sunday 13th July. Chairman Marc Collins said: “The Garden belongs to the whole community and we hope lots of people will get involved this year, even if it’s just to pop in for a chat.”
Poole Town Community Garden Residents at the second PHP-backed community garden have recently elected a local management committee, which will be helping PHP to plan and organise events throughout the year. Chris Wilson, ward councillor for Poole Town and a big supporter of the garden said: “It’s been brilliant to see so many local people getting involved and we’re looking forward to growing lots more food and having lots more fun this year!” You can get involved every Tuesday between 3.15pm and 4.45pm, as well as during the school holidays – keep an eye on our website for the dates and times.
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The aim is to plant some fruit trees and flowers and grow some vegetables – and hold a potato harvest event in the autumn! Once the project is up and running there will be regular weekly get-togethers. Details will be posted on PHP’s website.
Sheltered projects Thirty residents from nine different sheltered housing foodgrowing projects got together in March to share tips and ideas and make plans to “keep on growing” in 2014. In total, 12 of PHP’s sheltered housing schemes for the over 55s now have their own food-growing projects. If you and your neighbours are interested in setting up your own scheme together, get in touch with your Sheltered Housing Officer. To find out more about any of these projects, including ways for you to get involved, please go to www.yourphp.org.uk/newroots
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INTRODUCING... THE RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT TEAM PHP is proud to offer services that reflect our residents’ needs and we rely on your input to ensure you are at the heart of everything we do. It’s something our Resident Involvement Team is passionate about, and each member of staff is committed to listening to residents. Who is in the Resident Involvement Team? Our four-strong team is led by Estate Services Manager Gail (1), who is responsible for taking care of the environment surrounding your home including communal gardens, trees, waste disposal, parking and the caretaking service. Resident Involvement Co-ordinator Sandra (2) looks after most of our engagement activities, from committee meetings to fundays, focus groups and building relationships with our partner organisations. Clare (3) is our New Roots Co-ordinator and gets residents involved in growing their own food and developing community gardens in and around Poole.
The team is supported by Housing Administrator Judith (4), who helps deliver the resident involvement programme and publicises our events. And not forgetting Resident Involvement Co-ordinator Marie, who is currently on maternity leave but will be back with us by the end of the year!
What does the Resident Involvement Team do?
This year, the team will be updating the Resident Involvement Strategy to ensure that it reflects the way in which we currently deliver your services. The strategy details how residents can expect to be consulted with and listened to, and the different groups available for you to be involved with. The review is expected to be complete by 2015.
When am I likely to see the Resident Involvement Team? The team is always out and about in your neighbourhoods, speaking to residents and running activities (you'll often find Clare at the community gardens at Turlin Moor and Poole Town!) Keep an eye on our website www.yourphp.org.uk where the full programme of events is posted, along with details of meetings you can get involved with and other opportunities for you to have your say.
The Resident Involvement Team provides opportunities for residents to monitor our services and have a real say in how we deliver them. They do this by running:
How can I get in touch with the Resident Involvement Team?
• • • • • •
Please call us on 01202 264422 or email us at getinvolved.php@poole.gov.uk. Alternatively, you message us on Facebook or tweet us using the hashtag #PHPinvolved.
Strategy meetings Resident-led management committees Youth engagement activities Community food-growing schemes Focus groups Fundays
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DANECOURT RESIDENT HITS 100 Friends and family gather to help Luke Higgins celebrate his landmark birthday. Danecourt Close resident Luke Higgins recently celebrated his 100th birthday, and he’s still showing off his new prized possession – his telegram from the Queen! Luke was delighted to receive the card, which sits proudly on the mantelpiece in his front room. He told us: “It was lovely to receive the telegram and everyone who comes to visit asks to see it for themselves. It’s certainly something I’ll look after safely!” A proud Cockney (“I was born literally yards away from the Bow Bells!”), Luke has lived in Poole for 30 years, and has called Danecourt Close his home for the last two. He previously served in the army and said he very much
Luke Higgins shows off his telegram from the Queen. appreciated the Queen’s message “because I'm an exserviceman, so it meant a lot to me.” Luke spent his birthday with his two sons and seven grandchildren, and enjoyed a special lunch at a local hotel.
SHELTERED COACH TRIP Dale Valley residents are gearing up for more holiday fun. Residents at Dale Valley are looking forward to more coach trips later this year – and are keen for other sheltered residents to join in the fun too. The group will be departing for the Norfolk Broads on Monday 2nd June for four nights and enjoying half board accommodation and daily excursions for £195 per person. A further trip is planned to South Devon, including excursions to Brixham, Dartmoor, Buckfast Abbey and Teignmouth, for three nights departing on Friday 5th September. The cost per person is £145. Lastly, those in need of a bit of early festive cheer can book onto the four-night, full board Tinsel & Turkey holiday to the South Downs. The trip includes visits to Chichester Market and a local pantomime and the cost is £175 per person.
Dale Valley resident Pam Norman during a visit to the Norfolk Broads.
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For more details and to book your place on any of these holidays please contact Pam Norman on 01202 718399 or Rodger Philpot on 01202 944754.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE PHP BOARD? Here’s an opportunity for you to join other residents on PHP’s Board of Directors – and help us to continue delivering services that meet residents’ needs. PHP always wants to put residents in the driving seat, to ensure the company understands the needs of residents and makes those needs our main focus. The role of the Board is to ensure PHP’s services are resident-focused, relevant and up to date. The Board achieves this by:
• Providing leadership and long-term vision • Monitoring PHP’s performance and effectiveness • Approving budgets and helping make financial decisions • Ensuring PHP is run lawfully and ethically • Delivering better homes for PHP residents Our Board Members work on a voluntary basis, so you will not be paid for membership or attendance at meetings, but you will be paid for any out-of-pocket expenses. Board Members also benefit from a comprehensive training and development programme. All we ask for a time commitment of around three hours per month. Resident Board Members are elected by way of a ballot of all PHP residents (one vote per household). If you are interested in standing for election to the Board, please contact Jackie Barton, Company Secretary, on 01202 264438 or via email at jackie.barton@poole.gov.uk.
OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER Our newest Board Member, Jo Gordon, was elected last year. This is what Jo had to say about her experiences so far: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who voted for me to become a PHP resident board member. “Thanks to you I have met an interesting and friendly group of people, whose monthly meetings help to make sure that every penny we pay to PHP is wisely re-invested. “Training and meetings have given me an understanding of your needs, which in turn helps me to ensure PHP provides us all with safe and comfortable housing in a stronger community. “I would highly recommend standing for election – I’m glad I did!”
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DOES YOUR SCHEME MAKE THE GRADE?
Each of PHP’s sheltered schemes has been graded to allow us to focus time and resources on the sites that need it most – and all with the help of residents. Since its launch in 2013, the estate grading system has helped PHP make various improvements to sheltered schemes across Poole. The grading process, which is undertaken as a joint project by PHP and residents, was set up to: • Increase residents’ satisfaction with their neighbourhoods • Provide a better use of time and estate management resources • Influence Borough of Poole’s and PHP’s priorities
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• Contribute to the Grounds Maintenance and Cleaning Forum agenda • Encourage common standards across our estates Estates are graded according to a number of different factors, including grass and shrub maintenance, the cleanliness of communal areas, whether any litter, fly-tipping or graffiti is present, and many more. The grades range from ‘A’ to ‘D’, with ‘A’ being outstanding, ‘B’ being good, ‘C’ indicating that the estate requires
Factors including the standard of outside spaces influence the estate gradings.
improvement and ‘D’ showing signs of being hazardous. Residents are encouraged to participate in the process, and due to the positive feedback we’ve received so far, the estate grading system will be rolled out to other PHP neighbourhoods this year. In total, 65 separate localities will be reviewed, starting in April and finishing in October. We will be writing to residents shortly, but if you’d like to find out more, please keep an eye on www.yourphp.org.uk or contact the Housing Management Team on 01202 264444.
KIDS BAG MORE DREAMSCHEME POINTS Young residents have been rewarded after giving their neighbours a helping hand with their shopping. Boys and girls from Canford Heath won praise from shoppers after they completed a charity ‘bag packing’ exercise as part of PHP’s Dreamscheme initiative. The children asked shoppers for donations to the British Heart Foundation in exchange for help packing their bags at the checkouts at Asda Canford Heath. In total, over £60 was raised for the cause. But the kids didn’t stop there – they then went on a litter-picking walk around Yeatminster Road and Knowlton Road, collecting six bags of rubbish.
The Dreamscheme initiative encourages young people to get involved in community projects, and each activity is chosen by the children themselves. Every time they complete a project, the kids are rewarded with points that can be converted to prizes. Housing Officer Kirstie Ellis said: “We were really pleased with the outcome of the day and it was brilliant the children managed to raise so much money for the British Heart Foundation.”
“EACH ACTIVITY IS CHOSEN BY THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES.”
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Your meter will be read once every two years
We’ve produced a user guide to help residents
It’s an OFGEM requirement that someone comes to your home and reads the photovoltaic generation meter once every two years. The meter they need to read is the one which is part of the consumer unit.
The guide gives you lots of information about the benefits of solar power and details about how the technology works. We’re sending them out in batches, so yours should be coming through your door soon!
These readings will be carried out by Lowri Beck, and as with other utility companies specific appointments aren’t made. But don’t worry, if you’re not at home when they call, they’ll try again when they’re next in the area.
YO SOLAR EN where are
Panel cleaning LCX carries out all our maintenance to the PV systems. They will soon start cleaning the panels and will contact you to arrange a convenient date for access. If your panels are particularly dirty, please contact us on 01202 264455 and we can prioritise your property.
Our programme of installations has he energy efficiency of h Well over 1,500 house from the solar tech helped reduce reside bills, as well as redu emissions. Here’ we’ve achieve what’s to co
Immersun We currently have two Immersun units on trial. These connect to the hot water cylinder and divert any excess electricity being produced by the PV system, to heat your hot water. This will help to reduce your gas bills, as your boiler won’t need to heat as much water.
Utilita meters If you have a Utilita electricity meter which hasn’t been upgraded, you may not be getting the full benefit of your photovoltaic system. If you’re unsure, contact Utilita on 0845 450 4357 or email: customerservices@utilita.co.uk to check.
Revealed – your solar energy in numbers... • We’ve installed 1,455 systems. • The total amount of energy generated is 5,524 MWh. • This is equivalent to 56.71 million kettles boiled • We’ve helped save 2,898 tonnes of CO 2
OUR NERGY – e we now?
f photovoltaic (PV) elped improve the homes across Poole. eholds have benefitted hnology, which has ents’ energy use and uce harmful carbon ’s a look at what ed so far (and ome too…)
Solar hot water systems
Wattson monitor We have a limited number of Wattson monitors available to work with the PV systems. The units change colour to tell you whether you’re using more electricity than your photovoltaic system is producing. This will help you to make better use of the free electricity produced. Please contact us on 01202 264455 if you think you would benefit from one.
We’re planning to fit solar thermal systems to sheltered housing schemes where possible. Look out for more details on our website at www.yourphp.org.uk
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUR HOME People up and down the country are being encouraged to tell the government about the issues affecting their tenancies.
POOLE JOBS HUB LAUNCHED Residents can now access free career-related support in a friendly and informal environment. Following the success of other jobs hubs in Poole, even more residents can now access advice and resources designed to help them get back to work. PHP has joined forces with Borough of Poole, Poole Council for Voluntary Service, Spectrum Housing Group and Synergy Housing, to deliver a brand new jobs hub in the town centre.
A country-wide survey is giving residents the chance to identify the top issues and concerns that affect families in England. The Tenants and Residents Organisation of England (also known as TAROE) wants residents’ views to be taken seriously by decision makers, particularly at government level. The organisation has created a strategy – called the Tenants Agenda – and is asking residents to contribute to it by answering a quick survey. “We know there are lots of issues which we all chat about with our friends, neighbours and family, but it never goes anywhere else,” explains Michael Gelling, Chair of TAROE. “This is a real opportunity to make sure your views are not only heard but used effectively.” The survey doesn’t take long to complete and is designed to collect your top three priorities for improving your quality of life in your home. To have your say, just download a copy of the survey from www.taroe.org, or request a paper version from PHP’s Housing Management Team by calling 01202 264444. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Mini.
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“THE TEAM IS ON HAND TO HELP WITH JOB SEARCHES, INTERVIEW SKILLS, APPLICATION FORMS, AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE.” The hub operates every Tuesday from 10am until 1pm at Poole Central Library. The team, many of whom are volunteers, is on hand to help residents with job searches, interview skills, application forms, and general assistance and guidance. To find out more, please call 07546 511801 or email poolejobshub@gmail.com.
“SAVINGS PENSION CREDIT OFFERS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF UP TO £18.06 PER WEEK FOR SINGLES AND £22.89 FOR COUPLES.”
SPOTLIGHT ON PENSION AGE BENEFITS If you are 65 or over, you could be eligible for one or more of these benefits to help supplement your household income.
Attendance Allowance Are you over 65? Do you have illnesses or disabilities? Do you: • Have difficulty or need help washing and bathing? • Have trouble getting dressed? • Need help moving around indoors? • Fall or stumble because of your illness/disability? • Have difficulty cutting up food, chewing or eating? • Need help with taking medicine, treatment or therapy? Then you might be able to claim Attendance Allowance to help with the cost of getting someone to help you.
Guarantee Pension Credit Savings Pension Credit Are you 63 or over or already claiming your State Pension? Is your income less than £145.40 per week as a single person or £222.05 per week as a couple? If you can answer yes to both of the above then you might be eligible to claim Guarantee Pension Credit. Guarantee Pension Credit is an extra amount of money that can top up your income to these levels. This type of Pension Credit can also passport you to other benefits such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support for help paying your rent and Council Tax, free NHS treatment including wigs, teeth and glasses and a number of other financial savings.
If you are over 65 and you have made some provision towards retirement with savings or a private pension and your income is lower than £115.80 per week as a single person or £183.90 per week as a couple, you may be eligible for Savings Pension Credit.
Contact the Your Money Team on 01202 264400 with any questions or for help to claim any of the above.
This is an additional amount of up to £18.06 per week for singles and £22.89 for couples. Unlike Guarantee Pension Credit this benefit does not automatically passport you to extra help with housing or other costs. You may still get help but this will be based on how much your household income is and the level of savings that you currently hold.
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David Bardell Julie Dello
GREEN LIGHT FOR EXTRA CARE SCHEME Older residents will now benefit from dedicated care and support at a brand new, state-of-the-art sheltered scheme in Poole.
Residents will also benefit from modern facilities including restaurant, activities room, lounge, spa and hairdressing salon.
Building work on the new Trinidad Village extra care scheme is set to start later this year after plans to develop the Rossmore site were unanimously approved by Poole planners.
Now that planning permission has been given, tenders will be sought, working towards a building start date in September 2014.
This joint project between Borough of Poole and PHP will provide muchneeded extra care housing in the town and help adults needing varying levels of care to live independently in their own self-contained homes.
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“UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY PLANNERS.” The plans include 54 newly built units, along with a central courtyard containing seating areas, landscaped gardens and terraces, which will provide a relaxing environment for residents to enjoy.
The news comes after former Trinidad House residents who were affected by the plans have spoken of their delight at finding new homes. For Julie Dello, 71, and her 91-year-old mother Pearl Hewitson, this meant being able to live within the same proximity they’d become used to at Trinidad House. And thanks to PHP’s resident liaison officer, Julie and Pearl now live just a few doors down from each other.
Cissy and John Wills
Pearl Hewitson
Artist’s impression of the new Trinidad Village extra care scheme.
Julie said: “We were so fortunate. I visit my mum three times a day to do her meals, washing and shopping. She’s my little labour of love. We were so blessed to find properties on the same scheme.“ Pearl is also pleased to have Julie close by: “It’s lovely for her to be so near. She does so much for me that I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s a great help. It’s worked out very well indeed.” We were able to go one better for Cissy and John Wills – they both liked living at Trinidad so much that we managed to allocate them a new home on another part of the scheme. Cissy, 75, admits to feeling “distressed” when they first heard of the plans to ere
redevelop the site, but is happy the couple were able to stay at Trinidad. “We’d been in our home for 16 years and loved it. John’s short-term memory
“IT’S ALL WORKED OUT WONDERFULLY.” loss was a concern for us. He knows exactly where to go from the gate [at Trinidad] so the fact that we’ve been able to stay here means that simple things, like being able to use the same buses, is a great help. It’s all worked out wonderfully.”
John, 82, added: “We love the bungalow we’re in now. It will be great when we can get some hanging baskets up in the garden. We’ve got plans for the summer!” David Bardell is also enjoying his new home, especially because he now has a garden and greenhouse! David said: “I’m an independent chap and was ready to move quite quickly, so I was happy to move to a similar property. The whole process was quick and easy and I didn’t have any problems.” To stay up to date with the Trinidad Village project, take a look at www.yourphp.org.uk/trinidad
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NEW LOOK NEWTOWN – COMING SOON! A selection of open spaces, including play areas, recreation grounds and parks, will receive an overhaul from May this year. Residents and users of open spaces in Newtown will soon have the opportunity to see what improvements could be made to their local parks. Borough of Poole will be consulting with local people over plans to improve open spaces at Haskells Recreation Ground, Branksome Cemetery, Turners Nursery, Hartford Road, Warbarrow Gardens, Dustain’s Lane Woodland and Uppleby Road.
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Among the improvements will be better equipped play areas, overhauled BMS tracks and refurbished pavilions and football pitches. A series of events will take place throughout May, culminating in a family funday on Wednesday 28th May. The free event, which will be held on Haskells Recreation Ground, will offer lots of free activities and allow people to share their views on Newtown’s parks and play areas. For full details, please see www.pooleprojects.net.
Pupils from Branksome Middle School and St. Aldhelm’s Academy will also get to have their say during lunchtime sessions and by visiting Borough of Poole’s Youth Services van, which will be based at Haskells Recreation Ground in the evenings. Once the consultation period has finished, designs will be drawn up and publicised online in the late summer, before work starts in late 2014/early 2015.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR HOUSING OFFICER Your Housing Officer is here to support you throughout your tenancy – but they can only do this with your help. With over 5,000 households to look after all over Poole, there’s never a dull day for PHP’s team of Housing Officers. The team often carries out home visits to meet both new and long-standing residents, to offer support, answer questions and monitor our services. This is to make sure our overall neighbourhood management service is as effective as possible and ensures you get the most out of your tenancy. We also need to make sure that all of our residents are complying with their responsibilities too. If your Housing Officer is scheduled to visit you, for example to review your tenancy, welcome you as a new resident, or carry out a mutual
exchange inspection, we will contact you by letter or telephone to confirm the arrangements. Sometimes other commitments mean that you’re no longer able to meet us at the arranged time. This is fine, and we understand that other things crop up from time to time. If you need to reschedule the appointment, please contact us at your earliest opportunity to that we can make alternative arrangements to meet with you. You can find your Housing Officer’s contact details by going to the PHP website at www.yourphp.org.uk. This will enable us to use our time effectively and offer your slot to another resident.
Disabled Information Team (DIT) Do you have a physical disability? Are you looking for support or a sympathetic ear? The Disabled Information Team could help you. DIT is a group of residents with disabilities who are able to help people who suffer with mobility, sight, hearing or mental health issues. The team is accredited through the Citizens Advice Bureau and will do their very best to advise and guide you through any problems you might have. To find out more, please call 01202
888255.
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RECIPES TO PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP We’re all looking forward to warmer days and sunnier evenings (we’ve certainly earned a few!) so what better way to celebrate the start of spring than with some tasty and easy-to-prepare dinner ideas?
Warm tuna pasta salad Ingredients:
Method:
500g spiral pasta
1 Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, then drain.
2 x 425g cans of tuna 440g can corn kernels, drained 1 small red onion, sliced thinly 2 sticks celery, sliced thinly ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon plain yogurt 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon grind 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons seeded mustard
2 Meanwhile, drain tuna, but reserve 2 tablespoons of the oil. 3 Combine the pasta, tuna, onion, celery and parsley in a large bowl. 4 Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, rind, juice, mustard and reserved tuna oil in a small bowl or jug. Add to pasta mixture and toss gently. 5 Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chargrilled chicken on warm potato and bean salad Ingredients:
Method:
2 small single (300g) chicken breast fillets
1 Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally. Combine chicken with paprika, oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stand for 5 minutes.
½ teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1kg potatoes, sliced thickly 250g green beans ¼ cup (75g) mayonnaise 1/3 cup (80g) sour cream 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¼ cup whole flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 Boil, steam or microwave the potatoes until almost tender. Add beans, cook until potatoes and beans are just tender. Drain. 3 Grill chicken on a light heat until browned on both sides. 4 Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic and juice in a bowl. Pour mixture over potatoes and in a large bowl. Toss to combine. 5 Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve potato mixture with beans and chicken.
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At Home | Spring 2014
The Mix Pea risotto Ingredients:
Method:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Heat a large pan over a medium-high heat. Add oil, onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent. Add the rice and stir until it is coated in onion mixture. Add lemon rind.
1 medium (150g) brown onion, chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, crushed 400g arborio rice 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1.5 litres chicken stock 120g frozen baby peas, thawed 2 tablespoons lemon juice 40g flaked parmesan cheese
2 Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, heat the chicken stock until simmering. 3 Add the stock to the rice mixture by the ladleful; simply shake the pan to stir. When the stock is absorbed into the rice, add more. If you need to dislodge grains from the bottom of the pan, very carefully stir with a silicone spatula. Try to avoid stirring as much as possible. Continue adding stock until the rice is cooked, but not mushy. Taste the rice when it appears to be nearing completion. 4 A couple of minutes before the risotto is ready add the peas. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 5 Serve topped with parmesan and a crisp spring salad, if desired.
A new support group run by parents for parents and carers of children with autism, behavioural or developmental problems. We are parents who understand the demands of caring for a child with these challenges. You don’t need to have been given a diagnosis – just drop in for a coffee and a chat and pick up some useful information. Visit us every second Monday of the month th from Monday 14 April 2014, 11am - 1pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, Herbert Avenue BH12 3HR
For more information please contact Sara on 07966 671983 or Julie on 07540 332435. Alternatively you can email us at themix14@outlook.com
The Mix
KEEP YOUR HOME VENTILATED
Try opening your windows in the morning and evening to help ventilate your home.
When the weather is cold and you’ve got the heating on, it’s tempting to keep your windows shut – but there are a good few reasons why it’s important to regularly ventilate your home. Why should I open my windows? Letting the outside air in has several benefits: • It removes household contaminants like CO2 and H 2O • It helps prevent mould growth and reduces dust mites • If you open your windows on a daily basis, you’ll find the cool, fresh air will help keep your home drier
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At Home | Spring 2014
How do I ventilate my home without losing too much warm air? It’s a good idea to give your home a short period of ventilation in the morning and once again in the evening. Try opening the windows for 15 minutes before you go to work and again in the evening. Why open the windows in the morning and evening? The best time to open the windows is when the net vapour pressure is at a
maximum. It’s the time when you can expel the most amount of water vapour in the shortest time, thus limiting the loss of centrally heated internal air. Where can I get more information? There’s lots more tips and advice available on our website. Just log on to www.yourphp.org.uk and click on the ‘Residents & Leaseholders’ menu.
Cut out and keep this page - you never know when you might need it!
MEND IT MIKE PHP’s Director of Technical Services helps you get to grips with maintenance issues around your home.
Before you think about replacing a tube or starter, remember to turn off the light switch and leave it for a while to cool down. Switch off the light circuit by switching off the trip at the consumer unit. The starter needs to be replaced if the tube is flickering or only lighting at the ends. The tube need to replaced if it is dim or shimmering. Replacing the starter.
To replace the starter 1. Press it down, turn it anti-clockwise (a quarter turn) and remove. 2. Insert the new starter, press it down, and turn it clockwise to lock it in position. To replace the tube 1. Unclip the diffuser (if fitted) 2. Remove the tube by turning it this will allow the contact pins at each end of the tube to drop down through the grooves in the end support brackets. 3. You may need to pull the ends of the fittings apart to remove the tube. 4. Fit the new tube by sliding the contact pins up through the grooves in the end support brackets. 5. Turn it into place.
Mike
Fitting a new tube.
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Safety first! • You may need a step ladder to reach the light safely • It’s safest to replace a tube or starter in daylight • Don’t dry to chance a tube or starter if you are not sure whether you can do it. Ask a friend or neighbour to help you.
If you have any maintenance problems you’d like solved please email us at phpcomms@poole.gov.uk and we’ll forward them to Mend It Mike!
Rent calendar 2014/15 Payment due dates Refer to this list to see when you need to make your rent payments, and tick them off once made. Please ensure you keep your receipts safe. Payment due date
Amount paid
Date paid
Payment due date
07/04/2014
06/10/2014
14/04/2014
13/10/2014
21/04/2014
20/10/2014
28/04/2014
27/10/2014
05/05/2014
03/11/2014
12/05/2014
10/11/2014
19/05/2014
17/11/2014
26/05/2014
24/11/2014
02/06/2014
01/12/2014
09/06/2014
08/12/2014
16/06/2014
15/12/2014
23/06/2014
22/12/2014
30/06/2014
29/12/2014
07/07/2014
05/01/2015
14/07/2014
12/01/2015
21/07/2014
19/01/2015
28/07/2014
26/01/2015
04/08/2014
02/02/2015
11/08/2014
09/02/2015
18/08/2014
16/02/2015
25/08/2014
23/02/2015
01/09/2014
02/03/2015
08/09/2014
09/03/2015
15/09/2014
16/03/2015
22/09/2014
23/03/2015
29/09/2014
30/03/2015
Amount paid
Date paid
Rent free week (NB If you have arrears you need to maintain your payments during these weeks.)