PCH In Touch Newsletter Summer 2017

make it happen

InTouch Issue 31 Summer 2017

Going for gold!

Page 6

Inside this issue Development update Page 14

...............

Rent arrears at lowest ever Page 9

...............

...............

Let’s talk about it Page 3

Food for thought Page 18

Hello In Touch

Call us on 0808 230 6500

Hello!

llow e P e n i Ela f the Board Chair o

We know that some of our customers don’t speak English as a first language so it’s great news we’ve signed up to a translation service My term as Chair of the PCH Board called Language Line, which allows officially ends this autumn, when I’ll us to communicate better with be handing over the reins to someone residents who are not native English else. speakers. More of that on page 3.

I will still be around though for a final year as a board member but I have had the fabulous privilege of being the Chair of the Board for a great six years and over that time have seen and influenced changes to PCH. They are a great team on the Board and I’ve loved every minute of it!

As for this issue, there’s plenty to read about. I’m thrilled PCH has achieved gold accreditation from Investors in People. It’s another way of checking that we’re providing an excellent service to residents. Read all about our success on page 6.

Don’t forget, our new website is launching this month. There’s still time to register to use its self-service function – and be in with the chance of winning a new Samsung tablet. Go to page 16 to find out how.

For the last time, enjoy reading and do let us know if you’ve got anything to say. Email news@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk or call 01752 388082.

Elaine Pellow Chair of the Board

..................................................................................................

It is with some sadness that I write this column as it’s the last one you’ll be reading from me.

.................................................................

Summer holiday fun for kids

Looking for ways to keep the kids amused – and fed – this summer?

Plymouth’s Library Service is holding special themed events at various libraries across the city every Wednesday in August.

There will be events for the children between 10am and 4pm and CATERed will be providing free lunches.

The days take place at St Budeaux and Devonport Libraries and Four Greens Hub in Whitleigh.

Library staff will also be encouraging youngsters to join in the Summer Reading Challenge – reading six books in six weeks.

The dates and themes are: 2 August – Animal Agents 9 August – Under the Sea 16 August – Performance 23 August – Spies 30 August – Superheroes / Robots

Inside

CATERed will also be holding their own events every Tuesday and Thursday across the city, where they’ll be giving out free lunches.

10 Firstunveiled aid tips 4 Quilt 2

14 Development update

We’ll be attending these events to tell you more about our new website.

Read more about this on pages 16 and 17.

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch

Fire safety reassurance You will be aware that tower blocks have been in the news a lot recently following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London.

We want to reassure residents that we take fire safety in all our homes extremely seriously.

In light of this incident, we’re carrying out a number of changes at Mount Wise tower blocks in Devonport.

For the latest on this, please read our website where we have all the most up-to-date developments.

These are the specific fire safety measures in place in our blocks: • Homes are fitted with a minimum of 30 minute fire doors

• All PCH homes are fitted with 60 minute fire doors in tower blocks (law requires 30 mins) • Mains wired smoke detectors/ alarms • Individual fire risk assessments for each block • Non-combustible Rockwool insulation used in cladding on tower blocks • Regular management inspections • External consultant advice on Fire Safety

leave cooking food unattended.

• Don’t overload sockets

Specific advice about tumble dryers: o Clean out lint and fluff from the filter and around the dryer door after every use. o Watch out for scorching or burn marks, and check for loose or worn wires. o Have your dryer serviced annually by a qualified engineer.

What you can do to prevent a fire in your home: For more advice, go to the Devon and • Never leave candles unattended and keep them away from curtains, papers, children and pets.

• Take care when cooking and never

Somerset Fire and Rescue Service website: www.dsfire.gov.uk.

Anyone who is worried or has any questions should call us on 0808 230 6500.

................................................................................................

Let’s talk about it Residents who don’t speak English as their native language have been benefiting from a new service we’ve introduced to improve communication.

We’ve signed up to Language Line, which lets our staff talk to customers through an interpreter.

Assistant Housing Officer Nicola Clifford used Language Line to speak with Nedal Slojak, an Arabic-speaking tenant living in St Budeaux. She said: “I found it very useful. The first time I met Mr Slojak it would have been very difficult to ensure he understood everything I needed to tell him without using Language Line.”

The service has so far been used by housing officers, housing choices officers and members of the income recovery and financial inclusion team.

A member of staff will call Language Line and ask to speak to a translator in the appropriate language.

Mr Slojak said he found it beneficial too. He added: “It ensures there’s no misunderstanding. It’s reassuring.”

Sarah French, Area Manager South, said: “We have some tenants for whom English is not their first language.

The operator will put them through to the interpreter, who will then ring the customer and speak to them in their own language to explain what the call is about.

“It’s a really helpful tool especially if you are having a more technical conversation about something concerning a tenancy. It can also be used when staff are out and about as long as they have a phone.”

At this point, the PCH member of staff will join in the conversation, speaking Housing Choices Officer Janet to the customer via the interpreter.

Swales has used the service several

times and would recommend it to others. She said: “When we are shortlisting we have to make contact with applicants and it can soon become apparent there’s a language barrier. If we’re having difficulty communicating, I’ll tell the customer I’ll get an interpreter to ring them back, so the three of us will be on the line together.

“I will speak to the interpreter as if I am speaking directly to the prospective tenant. It’s great because it’s instant and it means we can have a conversation we might otherwise not have been able to have.

“I would have been lost on several occasions if I wasn’t able to use Language Line.”

Some of the languages requested in recent months include Polish, Turkish, Czech and Farsi.

3

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Residents love their refurbishment!

Residents are loving the new-look appearance of their block of flats.

Our regeneration team led the revamp of High Street flats and Waterloo Close in Stonehouse, working with contractor Mi-space.

The homes have got new windows and communal doors, renewed boundary railings, revamped balconies and they’ve been externally overclad. Internally, the staircases have been plastered and decorated.

Before

To mark the end of the project, we invited residents to help us plant some low-maintenance shrubs in the outdoor area.

Dot Martin, who has lived in the block for 19 years, said: “It needed a facelift. It looks lovely now. They have done a good job. The men have been lovely too – really polite. You could go to them about any problems and they’d sort it out straight away.”

After 4

Fellow resident Julia Langdon added: “I’m proud of the improvements that have been made. Our homes feel much warmer and cosier. I really like the garden area too for the kids. It’s great to make them a part of things.

If I’m still living here in ten years and trees grow, I can say, ‘my kids planted that’.”

Sue Shaw, PCH Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s such an amazing transformation. Talking to the residents, they told me they’re delighted with the changes and they’re already saying they’ve noticed it is costing them less to heat their flats.

“Someone I spoke to said it looks and feels like a new building. It’s thanks to everyone for working together to make it happen – the contractors, PCH Manufacturing and our housing and regen teams. It’s a credit to everyone.”

The four workshops at our in-house manufacturing arm, PCH Manufacturing, have been involved with the project. The Window Factory have made and fitted all the windows, the Joinery Shop have made and installed the entrance doors while the railings have been made and fitted by the Metal Fabrication shop. The Sign Shop made the street name plates fixed to the building.

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Fancy a walkabout?

Red – this is a problem that needs immediate attention such as a missing drain cover Amber – this could mean reporting a repair Green – everything is good and up to a required standard

Would you like to join us on a walk around your neighbourhood and tell us how things could be improved?

We’re relaunching our walkabouts – previously called community walkabouts – and we want you to take part.

They’re a chance for you to show us something on your street or estate

which you feel needs improving – at a time and date that suits you.

We’ll meet you so you can tell us what needs fixing or improving. We’ll make a note of it and when we head back to the office, we’ll get it sorted.

We’ve come up with a ‘traffic light’ recording system which prioritises issues.

Fran Sandercock, Senior Housing Officer, said: “We’d really encourage you to contact us so we can walk your neighbourhood together. Maybe there’s something that’s been niggling you for a while that you want us to deal with or maybe something’s cropped up suddenly that you think needs urgent action. You can email or ring us and we’ll arrange a convenient time to meet you, either on your own or with a group.”

Email walkabout@ plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk or ring Fran on 0808 230 6500. You can also leave a message for her at our City Centre Shop in Frankfort Gate or our head office at Plumer House, Crownhill.

................................................................................................

Celebrating 30 years of resident involvement Pembroke Street Estate Management Board (EMB) will be celebrating 30 years of campaigning this month.

It’s been 30 years since residents in Pembroke Street began campaigning for improvements to their estate. By 1994, a full scale resident-designed refurbishment was underway and new management arrangements were agreed which saw the formation of the board.

Today PEMB still works closely with PCH in the management of the Pembroke Estate. To celebrate the formation of the Pembroke Residents Association back in 1987, the EMB is organising various projects and

events this summer, funded by a National Lottery ‘Celebrate’ Grant.

A special film has been commissioned about the formation of the EMB, along with a community designed and created commemorative anniversary mosaic which will be unveiled next month.

If you have a current or former link with Pembroke Street or the EMB, why not join us at the community celebration event on the Pembroke estate on Saturday 22 July from 7pm until 11pm where they’ll be live music and a fireworks display. The entertainment is free and there will be a licensed bar and hot food available

Pembroke Street EMB will be celebrating 30 years of campaigning later this month as well.

For more information and to keep up to date with the EMB, you call follow them on Facebook by searching for ‘Pembroke EMB’.

5

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Going for gold!

You can be assured of a positive and professional service from PCH. We’ve been awarded the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation, after being independently assessed on a wide range of areas of service including our efficiency and positive culture.

We’re one of only a handful of organisations nationwide to have achieved the Gold status and one of only five businesses in the city to have the accolade.

across three sites in the city – our headquarters at Plumer House, our stores at Brest Road and our Manufacturing company at Prince Rock.

We’ve undergone some big changes in recent years including welcoming new CEO John Clark in February 2016 and managing the impact of welfare reforms.

The gold rating means we’re considered to have the highest standards of people management and development.

Head of HR Bob Wilkey said: “We’re extremely proud to have achieved IIP Gold because it recognises just how much we value our people at PCH. This is a journey we’ve been on since 2009 when PCH first came to be and we’re still committed to being an employer of choice today.

We employ more than 600 people

“We are clear about wanting to

attract the best people to PCH so we provide great services for our residents and other customers. And naturally once we’ve recruited them, we want to keep them so we make sure we invest in the skills of our staff to nurture talent and encourage dedicated and driven people to stay with us.”

• If you think you’ve received great service from our staff, why not nominate them for a Beacon Award?

Just fill out the form below and send it back to us.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cut . . . . .here ................................................

We’ve got internal awards called the Beacon Awards to recognise those PCH staff who have gone the extra mile, and we want you to let us know who deserves one.

Beacon Awards

I would like to nominate: ____________________________________ For the award: Reason

Lots of our staff do exceptional work across the city, and we want you to tell

The BeaconsusPeople’s all aboutChoice it.

The Beacon Customer Service Award

We’ve got internal awards called the Beacon Awards to recognise those PCH staff who have gone the extra mile, and we want you to let us know who deserves one.

We’ve got two awards you can nominate PCH staff for: The Beacon People’s Choice Award and The Beacon Customer Service Award.

Your name: _____________________________ Your Address: __________________________________________ I would like to nominate:

Postcode_______________ Contact number: _______________________________________________ For the award:

The Beacon Choiceat Plumer House, or Thank you - post your form in the special post boxes in our City Centre shop orPeople’s Headquarters send it to: The Beacon Awards, Plymouth Community Homes, Plumer Road, Plymouth, The House, Beacon Tailyour Customer Service Award PL6 5DH Reason:

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Outdoor events keep families busy

We’ve been out making the most of the sunshine at family events across the city.

of Ham Woods held their annual John Randall Memorial Day earlier this month.

Residents in Union Street Flats have been out weeding, sowing seeds and making planters with the help of Grow Stonehouse, a community gardening project.

The event includes foraging, bug hunts, fairy door painting and a night-time bat walk.

The organisation visits the flats every Wednesday morning to encourage residents to care for their green spaces but this week they were joined

by Food is Fun who cooked up some tasty bacon and egg sandwiches and dished out fruit kebabs.

Lily Urbanska, of Grow Stonehouse, said: “We want to work with local residents. We want adults to care for the planters. It’s a great way for local residents to come together and take ownership. If they want to grow veg, they can do. We can help them. We can also build a children’s planting bed.”

We supported the event by supplying toilets and drinks and also inviting Camper Obscura to attend to take photos of the surrounding area.

Jo Maddick, PCH Regeneration Officer, said: “We were delighted to support the day. With Phase 3 underway and planning permission due to be submitted this summer for Phase 5, it’s good to get out in the community and support local families during this time of change.”

Fran Dansie, Chair of the Friends of Ham Woods, made bird feeders out of bamboo. She said: “We hold this event in memory of our late Chairman. He was into every aspect of nature.

Grow Stonehouse also works at our homes at Stonehall Flats on Thursday “We try to do as many activities on mornings and Flora Court on Friday the day to commemorate him and afternoons. remember how much he did for us.

We’re lucky it was such a nice day They have recently received funding this year. for two years from the People’s Health Trust and will hopefully extend “It’s a great chance for everyone to the work they do around the city. come together and have a go. It also Over in North Prospect, the Friends encourages children to use this area.”

7

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

Out in your communities We’ll be out and about this summer at a range of events, talking to you about our services and how we can help you – and how you can get more involved.

In Touch

What does a Legionella inspector do?

We’ll be at Granby Street and Park Avenue, Devonport on Wednesday 16 August for the summer event.

Our Communities team is working with residents across the city, helping them to get involved in projects and have a say about what happens in their area.

We recently spoke to residents in Efford to ask how they feel about where they live. Generally the responses were positive with residents telling us they enjoy a good sense of community and the great views and green spaces.

Things that people would like to see improved are how we tackle anti-social behaviour and litter. We’re working with the Active Neighbourhoods project to publicise opportunities for people to access, contribute to and learn about nearby green spaces.

The project will be working across the city encouraging healthier lifestyles and enjoying the outdoors.

Forum Theatre – your chance to take part in a unique opportunity Cardboard Citizens has pioneered the use of theatre to make a difference in people’s lives. The stories they present have been seen in homeless hostels to the stages of London, and are designed to encourage conversations about challenges that affect people’s lives. On Friday 28 July, they will be performing at Plumer House, and will be giving the audience the opportunity to take part.

It’s also a chance for you to meet staff from different parts of PCH. We’d like to hear your ideas for improving our services and will be asking how you’d like to help us shape our Resident Involvement strategy and the engagement activities we offer.

Contact the Communities Team on 0808 230 6500.

Our trained inspectors regularly check water systems around the city to help keep you safe.

We regularly carry out water hygiene risk assessments on our properties to ensure the water that you use is safe from Legionella disease. We regularly monitor and inspect some of our larger buildings to make sure water systems are clean and safe.

Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria which can include Legionnaire’s disease, Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever.

Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and people of all ages are susceptible to the infection.

Ian Clark, one of our trained internal inspectors tells us what he does when we meet him at Zion House: “I monitor around 160 blocks each month and make sure the water temperature is acceptable so it’s not susceptible to bacterial growth.

“In a block of flats like Zion House I also flush out the system once a week to make sure there is no water standing still in the pipes. This ensures that tenants’ water remains fit for purpose.”

Our sheltered housing schemes which house the over 60’s and potentially vulnerable people get a more rigorous inspection which we contract out to Interserve.

Chris Gove, our Deputy Responsible Person for Legionella control, explains more when we meet him at Brock House: “Sheltered housing schemes pose a greater risk of Legionella bacteria because of the sheer water volume.

“A property like Brock House has three large water tanks to supply the property so Interserve will take a sample of each one and send it away to a lab for testing to ensure there are no potentially harmful bacteria.

“Monthly we inspect the boiler temperature and then the flats furthest away from the boiler to ensure the temperature is stable and then every 12 months we will inspect every flat in the building.”

For further information on Legionella please email Legionella@ plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk or call 0808 230 6500.

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Rent arrears at lowest ever

Our rent arrears are at their lowest level ever as we vow to carry on helping tenants deal with the effects of benefit changes.

This means an additional income for PCH of more than £100,000.

Credit has risen from 36 to 142.

Nicky Kingston, Area Manager for Income Recovery and Financial Inclusion, said: “The team have worked extremely hard this year to achieve such fantastic results.

We can use this extra money to “This puts PCH in the best position improve the services we offer tenants. for later in the year, when Universal Credit is rolled out fully in Plymouth this October.

It means we are top performers compared to other housing associations.

“This will see the number of Universal Credit cases rise very quickly as it will Last year (April 2015 to March 2016), not just be single people that will be there were 3,762 households in rent affected but couples and families. arrears compared to 3,419 between April 2016 and March 2017.

“We’ve helped lots of tenants throughout the year and we’ll This reduction is despite the fact continue to offer support to residents that the effects of welfare reform are experiencing financial hardship or beginning to hit tenants. who are affected by welfare reform where it’s needed.”

The two main changes are the introduction of the Benefit Cap – the One person we helped this year was total amount of benefits that most a tenant who lost almost half her people aged 16 to 64 can receive income after her daughter turned 20 – and the extension of Universal and was no longer dependent.

Credit, which replaces a number of other benefits, including Jobseeker’s Our Financial Inclusion Officer Darren Allowance.

Sims worked with her over a six-month period to help her get back We currently have 94 tenants affected on her feet. by the Benefit Cap compared to 17 Darren liaised with Jobcentre Plus to a year ago. In the same period, the number of people receiving Universal ensure the tenant and her daughter

If you want to talk to us about how we can help you with your rent, call us on 0808 230 6500

were getting the benefits they were entitled to and were able to pay their rent.

Darren said: “I conducted nearly 30 phone calls and 11 home visits. With her support I also liaised with her GP for referral to Mount Gould for a learning disability assessment.”

The tenant said: “I’m so grateful to Darren. He gave 100 per cent and then some to get me help. I feel if I was really stuck and needed help I could text him.”

Sue Shaw, PCH Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “Our teams have shown real commitment to supporting tenants to pay their rent. PCH is about helping people to sustain their tenancies – we know how scarce good housing is.

“We treat each person and each case individually, and that care, respect and support has helped many tenants to free themselves from debt and all the stress and anxiety that accompanies it.”

9

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch

Keeping safe with some top first aid tips

Former nurse and PCH resident Patricia Turner brushed up on her medical skills when she took part in a first aid course as part of our Learn for Free programme.

Patricia and other residents at Leypark Court Housing with Support scheme were given the free training by the British Red Cross.

They were taught a range of scenarios – everything from broken bones to emergency CPR – and then given the chance to practice their skills on a mannequin.

Patricia said: “This has been a

really helpful course as it makes us much more aware of what to do in an emergency. We know when it is important and appropriate to call the emergency services and we can now treat anyone with difficulties in the most efficient way.

“I know quite a lot of first aid as I was a nurse before I retired, but medicine changes so much and so quickly that it’s good to keep up to date with the latest information and techniques.”

Ryan Huws, PCH Communities Worker who runs Learn For Free, added: “We put on a number of free training courses for residents

throughout the year under the Learn For Free programme, but this course is aimed specifically at the over 65’s and it has positive benefits for everyone involved.”

We’re holding another training session for the over 65s on Tuesday 22 August from 1pm to 3pm at Ron King House To book a place, speak to your Housing with Support Officer or Ryan on 0808 230 6500.

Learn for Free Training Courses

We’ve run courses in first aid, computers and getting a CSCS card to name a few If you are interested in finding out more, please call 0808 230 6500 and ask to speak to the Communities Team or visit plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/how-to-get-involved

14

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

sponsorship to help towards the expedition.

Plymouth explorer Anthony explained: “Our aim is to help 10-11 year olds to develop the skills and self-esteem to continue with their learning and professional development in the future.”

Pupils Mohamed and Tomacee agreed that the expedition was nothing short of amazing: “Our favourite part was seeing the Northern Lights because it was beautiful. We really enjoyed having our teacher Miss Brunning with us as she looked after us and helped us have lots of fun – even if she locked us out of our cabin one afternoon!”

Schoolchildren from Marine Academy Primary (MAP) had the chance to take their learning outside of the classroom thanks to Anthony Jinman and Paul Hart’s Education Through Expeditions (ETE), which aims to raise the aspirations of young people through unique learning opportunities.

When PCH learned that two of the children from MAP were residents of ours we pledged £1,000 in

Georgina Brunning, Year 5 Teacher at MAP, said: “These children come from a wide variety of backgrounds and this trip has given them the confidence to go out and explore the world around them. Their aspirations have risen tremendously because of this. Their confidence and ability to speak publicly has improved massively and their zest for life is contagious.”

................................................................

Cleaning and grounds maintenance come under the spotlight You may remember in the last issue we told you how the Resident Scrutiny Team examined how we communicate with you.

The team have now moved on to their next review. For the next few months, they’re going to be probing our environmental services. This will include whether we meet our targets for cleaning communal areas and taking care of grounds maintenance.

They’ll be particularly keen to understand how tenants can monitor and influence the levels of service provided and whether it’s good value for money.

The Resident Scrutiny Team is made up of residents who review our standards, policies and procedures.

They interview tenants and staff and visit areas where a service is provided.

You can find out more about the team, what they do and the results of their scrutiny reviews on their web page or by calling Leanne Eastwood on 0808 230 6500.

The team have recruited new team members so watch this space for an update on the new appointments.

Getting our finances in order

......................................................................................................................................

Students learning outside the classroom on Finland expedition

We’re reorganising our finances to help us free up cash so we can build more homes in the city and surrounding areas.

Our vision of being a ‘leading, growing, independent housing association providing homes and services people want and can afford’ is strongly linked to our ambition of developing more homes, and for that we need flexible finances.

Our Finance team has worked hard to agree a new deal that will reduce the interest rate we are currently paying on the long-term £110m facility with our bank RBS and give us more flexibility to draw on funds when they are needed to build or buy.

The new deal means we’ll be taking out two separate short-terms loans – with Barclays and RBS. We’re also borrowing money through private investors such as insurance or pensions companies.

Nick Jackson, PCH Director of Business Services and Development, said: “More flexible financing and lower rates mean we are able to continue to build or buy homes for the benefit of people in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

“It will free up the money needed to achieve our development strategy of gaining around 100 homes of mixed tenure per year for the next 15 years, achieving one of our nine objectives to ‘offer more homes in new ways and in new places.’”

11

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch

Elaine Pellow Board Member Interview

We’ve seen her in her role as Chair and advocate of PCH but what do we really know about the woman behind the role? A true patron of Plymouth, passionate, driven and with an unerring knack of putting people at ease, we sat down with a cup of tea and learnt more about how Elaine Pellow ended up as our Chair.

Elaine didn’t get to drive a tank as she had hoped but instead was made a Signaller attached to a Regiment based in London and worked on Horse Guard’s Parade.

“London was a real eye-opener for me, coming from Plymouth,” she said, “I hadn’t experienced such a multicultural city before with so many Elaine was born in Devonport Park people from different backgrounds. and lived in Lipson. She attended I was amazed walking through the Stoke Damerel Primary School before streets and past the market stalls moving on to Penlee Secondary offering foods, fruits and ingredients Modern.

I’d never seen before. The variety of food was amazing – I loved every Elaine enjoyed school but found minute of being in London.” herself frustrated with the lack of options – she wanted to do the After three years in the army, Elaine metalwork and woodwork that were decided to return to Plymouth and traditionally boys’ subjects while took a place back at the Jaeger the girls had to do cookery and factory. She went into the textile needlework. cutting room as a cutter – one of only two women. Elaine finally realised her She admits cookery was where ambition of being a butcher but was she first picked up her passion for carving cloth and not meat! baking, but was given her opportunity when teacher Mr Holland started an Elaine’s son Ross was born and they afterschool club to build your own lived in their family home in Keat go-kart.

Street.

Elaine achieved average grades in her CSE’s, left school at 16 and took a job at Plymouth’s famous Jaeger textile factory in Union Street, progressing through the company before seeing an advert to join the army four years later.

12

In 1997 the Jaeger factory closed down and Elaine decided to go back to Kings Road College (now City College Plymouth) to retrain in admin before being invited to an interview at the Prince’s Trust. Instead she was offered a job as Assistant Team

Leader to help deliver the personal development course for young adults.

She took the position and immediately fell in love with it.

Elaine was involved in growing the confidence of the young people who came along: “We would engage them in team building exercises and build their skills to get them ready for the workplace or further training.”

Elaine became a full time Team Leader and enjoyed (nearly) all of the activities the group took part in, save for the caving: “I’m quite claustrophobic and I was dreading going into the caves. I had to do it, I couldn’t ask these young people to conquer their fear and build confidence with this activity if I wasn’t willing to do it myself.

“The instructor told me they wouldn’t be going into any tight spots – but it turns out he wasn’t being entirely truthful. Halfway in we tried to squeeze through a very tight spot, I panicked and got stuck, blocking everyone in….not a proud moment but I completed every caving experience that we went on!”

Elaine went on to become a Coordinator for the Trust, overseeing the delivery of the programme.

After several years at the Prince’s Trust, Elaine carried on helping young

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

people by working as an Apprentice Training Officer, at the time turning a few heads by driving her Honda 600 Hornet motorbike.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Elaine found herself out of work and at a loss for what to do next.

Some brief work as a Street Warden for a scheme run by Plymouth City Council followed until one day a letter came through the door mentioning something about a housing stock transfer from the council to a new housing association.

The first contact Elaine had with what would later become PCH was when she called our Head of Communities Helen Ryan to ask where council tenants’ money was being spent on the vote over stock transfer.

Elaine became part of the Stock Transfer Agreement Group (STAG) made up of residents and council staff looking to make the transfer a reality.

Elaine remembers this well and talks with real passion and energy: “It wasn’t a simple choice. People had their homes with PCC for years and although they weren’t up to a good standard, people I spoke to were happy with the repairs service and were afraid of the unknown and were concerned what they might lose by

In Touch

voting for their homes to be taken over by this new housing association.

“Our remit was to explain to people that PCC couldn’t afford to carry out the Decent Homes Standard – transfer needed to happen and we worked hard to ensure tenants got the best deal possible. We agreed on a better standard than Decent Homes, something we called the ‘Plymouth Standard’.

“D-Day came and the votes were in, the Council House was packed as Councillor Peter Brookshaw went on stage and announced the decision and the place erupted. We were over the moon but we had a slow dawning realisation that the hard work had only just begun – PCH was now a real, tangible thing that had potential to do so much throughout the city and secure the future of social housing in Plymouth.”

Peter Ebsworth was the first Chair of PCH steering us through the transfer and when he stepped down, Elaine took over after a rigorous selection process.

“When I was appointed Chair I was delighted and overwhelmed at the same time. I had an independent mentor work with me and to use as a sounding board as it can be a lonely position as Chair – you provide

“When I was appointed Chair I was delighted and overwhelmed at the same time”

that link between the Executive Management Team and the Board.”

Elaine has been Chair of the Board for the last three years and this means she steps down this year. So how does she feel about it?

“We’ve seen some amazing changes in my time on the Board. I think the most important thing for me is the cohesion we have brought to communities. Through the physical improvements of the properties and the areas we are giving people something to look after, that they’re proud of and places that people are willing to invest their time and energy in – it brings the community together.

“I can’t really describe how it’s felt being a part of something like PCH. It doesn’t seem like an organisation, it’s like a living, breathing presence and that’s down to the staff that really care about the people of Plymouth and believe in what they do. Every single person in PCH adds real value – and that’s what sets us apart.”

13

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch

Development update We’ve got some government cash to start planning work on Phase 4 of the North Prospect Regeneration.

We’ve been awarded £321,250 from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Estate Regeneration Fund.

We’ll use the money to begin early planning and design work on Phase 4 and we’ve already started talking to architects.

Completing this work now will help us deliver new homes in this phase between 2020 and 2022.

Subject to planning consent, Phase 4 could have 190 new homes – 74 for rent, 36 for shared ownership through SO Living and 80 for open market sale.

The completion of this phase will rely on grant for new homes and we’ll have to bid for further funding.

April 2020 and the new homes are expected to be finished by 2022.

In Phase 2, there are just six PCH homes to be handed over to us

by Barratt Homes.This phase is the biggest single phase of the regeneration and will deliver 347 new homes.

We’re making good use of the new homes in this phase, making them available as a “direct match” for our tenants moving out of Phase 5.

Shared Ownership homes for sale through SO Living have been very popular. In Phase 2 there are 56 shared ownership homes and we’ve sold all of them.

The other phase that you’ll have noticed work really progressing on is Phase 3, where Kier Living is building 159 homes for us.

We recently launched our sales and marketing suite at Southern Gate We plan to rehome tenants in Phase (Phase 3). It’s open every day from 4 and buy back privately-owned 10am to 5pm. See page 15 for more homes between April 2018 and March information.

2020.

In the last issue, we told how we’d Demolition of Phase 4 will start in held a consultation event for

14

We’ve got some government cash to start planning work on Phase 4 of the North Prospect Regeneration.

residents to give their view on Phase 5.

You told us: • We are proposing a good mix of houses and flats • The homes are well designed • Parking is important for new and existing residents We’re building 133 homes in this phase and hope to get planning permission in the next few months.

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

InTouch

SO Living open day Our SO Living team, who specialise in shared ownership, offered the chance for potential buyers to come and have a look at all the developments we have to offer at North Prospect, Whitleigh and Southway.

The event was attended by those looking to purchase and talk to our team and our partner Kier Living about the options available to them and how they can get on the housing ladder within budget.

Tracey White, Sales and Marketing Manager for SO Living, said: “This was a well-attended event with lots of people coming through the doors to find out more about the properties we have to offer.

“It’s great that as part of PCH we can build places that people genuinely want to live and we are really proud to be selling affordable homes within the thriving regeneration area at North Prospect and to announce our new developments at Primrose Park at Whitleigh and Porsham Heights at Southway.”

Kelly Locke, Marketing and Communications Manager for Kier Living, said: “We are excited to work with SO Living and PCH for the delivery of new homes for the third phase of the North Prospect Regeneration.”

Southern Gate is a collection of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom new homes at North Prospect Phase 3, just off Wolseley Road.

We are building 159 new homes for private sale, shared ownership and affordable rent. There will be 31 new homes for sale on a shared ownership basis and 47 for private sale through Kier Living.

At Porsham Heights, we’re working with GallifordTry Partnerships to build a range of 1,2 and 3 bedroom homes on the former Southway Campus, including 25 homes for shared ownership.

Building contractor Mi-space is

constructing Primrose Park, 72 new homes at Whitleigh, to Passivhaus standards, meaning they will be highly energy efficient and economical to run. They will be a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed, comprising of 23 homes for shared ownership.

For more details about our developments, call 0800 077 8748.

................................................................................................

Learners get involved with our development Academy at the former Southway Primary site in Bampfylde Way, Southway.

The firm is building 95 homes for us at the site – 55 for affordable rent and 40 for shared ownership.

The academy aims to encourage the long-term unemployed back into work by offering work placements, full-time work and apprenticeships.

Mum-of-two Tara Clancy has joined GallifordTry Partnerships’ Skills

Tara, a PCH resident, said: “I’ve always enjoyed DIY. I’d help friends

and family with decorating but now my two children are at school and nursery and I’ve got more time, I’m keen to find work in the construction industry.”

As well as working on site, they also take part in work in the local community. Tara joined fellow learners at the Southway Community Centre where she helped install fence posts as part of work to create a play space for children and a memorial garden.

15

We’re going on tour!

www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

Our new website launches soon and we want to tell you about it.

The new-look site includes our 24/7 self-service function which lets you view your rent statements, make payments and report repairs online.

23 Aug 4 Gree Whitlei

We’re joining CATERed on their summer tour to tell you about the benefits of the website and signing up for an account.

You’ll be able to spot us – we’ll be the ones in the giant Webble – a huge tent resembling a snow dome.

Ernesettle

Come inside and find out how you can register for an account – and be in with the chance of winning a Samsung tablet.

Whitle

The tour dates and venues are opposite.

1 Aug Cent Par

Milehouse 3 & 16 August Devonport

Devonport

Watch out for the Webble!

Wherever you see the Webble this Summer, you’ll be able to find out more about the website and sign up for an account.

!

The Summer of web

gust ens, igh

Southway 24 August ASDA

eigh

28 July Plumer House

Crownhill

Estover

gust tral rk

17 August Victoria Park

Plympton 29 August Freedom Fields

Plymstock

Food for Thought with Susan Drury

Moroccan Roasted Vegetables The spice blend of coriander and cumin in equal parts is an unequalled blend of inspiration, warmth and genius. This is one of my favourite recipes.

Simmer about half a 250 gram bag of green lentils until tender, about 20 minutes.

Chop aubergine, courgette, sweet peppers and a few medium purple onions.

Mix a hefty tablespoon of both coriander*, cumin* powders and a teaspoon of harissa** with oil in a roasting tin. Toss the vegetables to coat. Roast for half an hour. Add in chopped tomatoes, crushed garlic and lentils, mix together.

Continue to cook for a further 20 minutes.

Serve with chopped coriander leaves and tzatziki (cucumber, lemon zest and coriander leaves blitzed with yogurt). *Available at Asian Supermarkets. **A chilli paste.

I love our British summers. No, I’m not being sarcastic, I really do. I’ve lived in worse places. When summer heat sets in about a week after the last snow melts and continues unrelentingly until the leaves start to fall, punctuated by the occasional hurricane, you start to yearn for a gentle drizzle.

I’d break out in spots, probably from gluttony. At 18 months, my daughter ate enough cherry tomatoes I’d just picked and left unguarded to do the same thing. Hereditary gluttony.

Now, we don’t have seasonal vegetables, we have cheaper vegetables, seasonally. Aubergines, tomatoes and peppers don’t enjoy our One of my bugbears is the grinning climate and technically are fruit, but weather forecasters who equate it’s easier to stick with usage rather sunshine with good weather. We need than a biology textbook. Courgettes rain. We need balance. We need can cope and onions and garlic are food. well happy. These are still the foods of summer.

Having a tomato in January is normal now, but we’re not going to shove our We are told of the Mediterranean diet being healthier. It’s always about Italy, way through a crowd to get hold of a Spain and France, lubricating turnip in July. I remember when fruit tomatoes with olive oil and glugs of and vegetables were seasonal and there was an anticipation of the first wine. Morocco is on the same sea. strawberry and the first peas. The first Same ingredients, but a different way strawberries came from France and of looking at them.

#OurPCH

Lots of you have been telling us what you think....

Need to report a repair?

If you have to report a repair to us, call 0808 230 6500 or 01752 237990.

You can also report on our website using our online reporting tool. Go to: www.plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/your-home/ repairs/

DCBC

@DCBC_voice Massive congratulations to @PlymCommHomes who have been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation

Smile! Peter the bird, sent in by his owner Reg Booth of Bernice Terrace, Lipson.

Jeremiah’s Journey @JeremiahsJourne

We are delighted to be working with you and are looking forward to a great year of FUNraising #partnership #plymouth

We will be working in partnership with local charity Jeremiah’s Journey over the next year after it was chosen by our staff as the charity they want to support.

Jeremiah’s Journey provides free support for children, young people, and their parents or carers who have or are about to experience the death of someone close to them.

We’ll be working to bring Jeremiah Bear to our community events for local families and involving residents with our fundraising ideas including our popular Christmas Craft fair.

Director of Corporate Services and Manufacturing Gill Martin said: “Jeremiah’s really feels like a natural choice as they help local families and have many years of experience working with children, young people and families who are grieving.”

PCH and Mi-space staff joined other contractors and council employees – as well as members of the public – to take part in a huge tidy up in Whitleigh.

Laura Goodchild, Fundraising Team Leader for Jeremiah’s, said: “It’s good to have a large organisation like PCH on board to support us this year as we can work together to raise awareness of the charity through our networks and I’m looking forward to some of the fundraising ideas they come up with!”

Mi-space is currently working on our Passivhaus scheme of 72 homes in Bodmin Road.

Their impressive haul of litter and debris included shopping trolleys, car parts, children’s toys and lawn mowers.

Thanks to all who turned out to help.

19

Contact numbers

Plymouth City Council contacts

Repairs: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990

Enquiries (including waste and out of hours) 01752 668000

Debit/Credit Card Payment Line: 0844 557 8321 Head Office: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990 City Centre Shop 0808 230 6500 Anti-social behaviour out of hours hotline: 0800 028 7377

Housing options 01752 305496

Newsletter Translations English This information is available in other languages and formats - Please contact: 0808 230 6500 Arabic :‍هذه Ř§Ů„Ů…ŘšŮ„ŮˆŮ…Ř§ŘŞ Ů…ŘŞŮˆŮ ŘąŘŠ بلغات ŮˆŘľŮŠŘş أ؎عى – يع؏ى Ř§Ů„ŘŞŮˆŘ§ŘľŮ„ مؚ‏

0808 230 5600 Chinese Mandarin čŻĽäżĄć Żĺ?ŻäťĽäťĽĺ…śäť–čŻ­č¨€ĺ’Œć źĺź?ć??äž›â€”â€”čŻˇč ”çłťďźš

Czech Tyto informace jsou k dispozici v jinĂ˝ch jazycĂ­ch i formĂĄtech. Kontaktujte, prosĂ­m: 0808 230 6500 Farsi ‍ ﯽ اﺪﺡﺎﺑ ŘŞďşŽďť‹ďťźďťƒŘ§ ﺑ ﺎﺎﺑز Ůˆ لﺎﺡا ﺎد ﺰ ﺑﺎ ďŻ˝ďşłďşŽďş˜ďşłŘŻâ€Ź. ‍سﺎﺗﺪﺋﺎ  ﺎďť&#x;Ř§ďťŚďť”ďť ďş— ﺎﺑ‏ ‍ﺝﺎﺣ‏: 0808 230 6500 French Ces renseignements sont disponibles dans d’autres langues et formats – Veuillez contacter: 0808 230 6500 Hindi य༇ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ ऌस ༠रༀ भञजञऔं और परएंऌ་ं ऎ༇ं भༀ उपलएऌ ŕ¤šŕĽˆ ༤ ककरपञ इस नंऎएर पर ऍ་न करༀŕ¤?: 0808 230 6500 Hungarian Ez az informĂĄciĂł mĂĄs nyelven ĂŠs formĂĄtumban is elĂŠrhetĹ‘ – kĂŠrjĂźk, vegye fel a kapcsolatot: 0808 230 5600 Kurdish ‍ه Ů… ﺎعﺎاز ه ن ﺑ ﺎز ﯽﺎآ ﺜﺎﺗ ďşˇŮˆó˛ €ďŻźŘ˛Ř§ďťŽ ŘŚďťŞďťœďťłŘŻâ€Ź-‍ ďťŞďťłďşŽďťœďş— ďťŞď­˜ ه ﯟﺪ ďťŞďťœďş‘ ﺑ‏: 0808 230 6500 Kurdish Badini

:â€Ťâ€ŒŘŞŰŽÚŠŮ„ŰŒŰŽâ€ŒŘ¨ÚŠŮ‡â€ŒŮ†â€ŹŘŒâ€Ťâ€ŒŘ¨ŰŽâ€ŒŘ˛Ů‡â€ŒŮ‡Ů…Ů‡â€ŒŘŞâ€Ź.â€ŤŘŚŮ‡â€ŒÚ¤â€ŒŘ˛Ř§Ů†ŰŒŘ§ŘąŰŒŮ‡â€Œâ€ŒŘ¨â€ŒŘ˛Ů…Ř§Ů†â€ŒŮˆâ€ŒŮ Ű†ŘąŮ…Ř§ŘŞŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŘŻŰŒâ€ŒÚ˜ŰŒâ€ŒŰŒŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŮ‡Ů‡â€ŒŰŒŮ†â€Ź

0808 230 5600 Lithuanian Ĺ i informacija prieinama ir kitomis kalbomis bei formatais – praĹĄome kreiptis: 0808 230 5600 Nepalese य་ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ अनŕĽ?य भञडञ र ढञञठचञचर༂ऎञ पनन उपलएŕĽ?ध रच༇ क་ छ - ŕ¤•ŕĽƒŕ¤Şŕ¤Żŕ¤ž सऎŕĽ?पकक गनच नक ་स ŕĽ?: 0808 230 5600 Polish Ta informacja moĹźe być dostÄ™pna w innych jÄ™zykach i formatach. ProszÄ™ kontaktować numer telefonu: 0808 230 6500 Portuguese A informaçao aqui apresentada esta disponivel noutras linguas e formatos, por favor contacte: 0808 230 6500 Russian Đ­Ń‚Đ° инфОрПациŃ? Đ´ĐžŃ Ń‚ŃƒĐżĐ˝Đ° на Đ´Ń€ŃƒĐłĐ¸Ń… Ń?Сыках и фОрПатах – Đ&#x;ĐžĐśĐ°ĐťŃƒĐšŃ Ń‚Đ° Ń Đ˛Ń?ĐśĐ¸Ń‚ĐľŃ ŃŒ Ń : 0808 230 6500 Spanish Esta informaciĂłn estĂĄ disponible en otros idiomas y formatos; por favor, pĂłngase en contacto en el 0808 230 6500 Turkish Bu bilgi baĹ&#x;ka yabancÄą dil ve formlarda mevcuttur - Bu numarayÄą arayÄąn: 0808 230 6500

Plymouth Community Homes Plumer House Tailyour Road PL6 5DH T

0808 230 6500/01752 237990

E

info@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

w

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk twitter.com/PlymCommHomes facebook.com/PlymouthCommunityHomes

Plymouth Community Homes is a registered provider under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014.

Registration no: 30637R.