Radian R Mag autumn 2016

Tenancy Fraud Page 4 · Health & Safety Page 13 · 60+ housing Page 18 · Area news Page 19 · Kids competition Page 23 Magazine · Focus on Resident Involvement · Autumn 2016

MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2016 www.radian.co.uk

Focus on resident involvement Pages 6 to 9

Shared Ownership

Money

Ask Gary

Page 5

Page 10

Page 12

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Employment Support & Training Page 14

Magazine · Introduction · Autumn 2016

Editor’s Note

Welcome to another edition of R Magazine. After some really great feedback about the new smaller magazine that we launched last edition, we’ve gone one step further and given the whole design a bit of a revamp!

I hope you like the new look for what is a bumper edition packed full of stories.

You can read all about our new look Resident Involvement structure and how you can have your voice heard on page 6. We’re delighted to launch our brand new “Ask us…” feature in this edition, starting with Gary who shares a wealth of info about welfare reform on page 12. And if you’re interested in finding out more about our 60+ housing, turn to page 18 for details of some upcoming open days at a number of our schemes.

I’d love to hear any comments you have about the new look and layout of the magazine – please do get in touch by emailing rmag@radian.co.uk or by writing to any of our offices.

All the best,

Radian on social media For Radian news, events, jobs and updates, check us out on social media! www.facebook.com /radiancommunity @RadianGroup www.linkedin.com/company /radian-group-ltd

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Magazine · TPAS Awards · Autumn 2016

Radian Offices Your local Avon office: Endeavor House, Crow Arch Lane, Ringwood BH24 1HP 9am to 5pm, limited parking

Your Longwood Park office: Byron House, Common Road, Langley, Slough SL3 8TN 9am to 12pm, limited parking

Your local Rother office: Drum Court, The Spain, Petersfield GU32 3NG 8am to 5pm, limited parking

Your local Solent office: Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh SO50 6AD 8am to 5pm limited parking

Your local Thames office: Parkside House, 33-39 Sheet Street, Windsor SL4 1BY 8.45am to 5pm, metered parking

TPAS AWARDS SUCCESS Back in February 2016, we were thrilled to pick up two awards at the Tenant Participatory Advisory Service (TPAS) Southern Awards.

The TPAS awards showcase the compelling and inspirational success stories of tenants and landlords working together, so it was especially pleasing to collect the awards for Excellence in Youth Involvement – for the Y.O.U.T.H (Your Own Unique Thoughts Heard) project – and for Young Tenant of the Year, which was proudly won by Jenni Few from Petersfield.

The Y.O.U.T.H project initially began over three years ago to deliver some additional support to seven vulnerable young tenants experiencing a mixture of difficulties from antisocial behaviour or bullying to physical and mental health problems.

Jenni Few, winner of the Young Tenant of the Year award, is a key member of the Radian Youth Panel, a researcher on Radian Radio and has helped to steer a review of our communications with young people.

Jenni was also an avid supporter of our Homes for Britain campaign last year.

Following the success at the Southern region awards, we were proud to be shortlisted at the national finals in Warwickshire in July. At the event Jenny Osborne, Chief Executive of TPAS, emphasised how all shortlisted nominees had done incredible work for their communities.

Sadly, we did not take home the national TPAS award for our two nominations, but we are still very proud of everyone involved in winning the Southern region prizes.

Congratulations also to everyone involved at the Round About Café, which was shortlisted in the Excellence in Employment category in the Southern Awards.

The Community Involvement team would like to say a massive thank you to the residents who participated in the awards, and hope to see more recognition for your passion and dedication in the near future.

Radian Direct rated ‘top 3’ at Contact Centre awards

Congratulations are in order for the Radian Direct team who recently placed in the top three at the UK Contact Centre Awards for the public sector!

They were up against stiff competition from 15 other public sector organisations, including L&Q and Basildon Borough Council, but walked away with a special commendation for exceptional customer service.

Frankie Crawford, CSC Manager, said: “This is the first Contact Centre Awards we have entered and to get placed on our first entry is fantastic, and a tribute to the great work and exceptional service the team deliver on a daily basis.

www.radian.co.uk · 3

Magazine · Your Radian · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Your Radian · Autumn 2016

What is Shared Ownership?

Shared Ownership can be a great way to get on the property ladder as it makes it possible to buy a property which otherwise would not have been affordable.

Tackling Tenancy Fraud

Did you know that the cost of unlawful occupation of social housing in England is estimated to be around £900m every year?

Tenancy fraud can take many forms, including false successions, tenants inappropriately subletting their properties, and using false information to gain a property. All are examples of where people who have no right to live in our properties have moved in or allowed others to live in them for a profit.

The Neighbourhood teams are working hard to tackle fraud in Radian properties, and have successfully recovered 19 properties in the last year that were being fraudulently lived in.

All are now being let to households in genuine need.

The teams held a celebration day in May – attended by over 40 people including members of the Residents’ Council – to recognise the outstanding efforts of the teams involved in successfully tackling the fraud.

The Chair of the National Tenancy Fraud Forum was a guest speaker and talked about how recent legislation has made tenancy fraud illegal. Illegal subletting can now result in a fine and even a prison sentence.

An independent member of the Avon Area Panel who attended said:

“I was delighted to hear of the tremendous work of the Neighbourhood Officers, particularly in detecting and dealing with fraud and deception”.

But the work doesn’t stop there, so if you have any suspicions that one of our tenants is not living in their property, please let us know.

You can contact us on 0300 123 1 567 or our dedicated email address, tenancyfraud@radian.co.uk, and ask to speak confidentially to the Neighbourhood Officer for the area.

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Our Performance Period: 01/04/2016 – 30/06/2016 Number of compliments received

208

Number of complaints received

98

Percentage of calls answered

89.4%

All net current tenant arrears

1.8%

Percentage of all repairs completed on first visit

94.6%

Percentage of all repairs completed in target time

78.2%

Percentage of appointments made and kept

96.6%

It allows you to buy a share in the property and pay rent on the share you don’t own. It can often be an affordable alternative to renting or buying on the open market, and unlike purchasing on the open market, you don’t need to raise a deposit based on 100% value of the property, just for the share that you are purchasing.

You can initially purchase from 25% to 75% based on your finances. It is designed as a ‘stepping stone’ for first time buyers to completely owning your own home, allowing you to buy further shares in your property (which is called Staircasing) when you can afford to. Some commonly asked questions about Shared Ownership are answered below:

Who can apply?

The scheme is available to anyone, not just people in specific occupations or people under 30!

All applicants for Shared Ownership, whether it is a newly built home or a resale, must have a household income of less than £80,000. That means if you are looking to buy with a partner, your joint income before tax and deductions must be below this figure.

If you are an existing shared owner, for example in a two bedroom apartment, but would now like to buy a larger home, you can now use the scheme again. You must however have a sale agreed on your current home before reserving a new Shared Ownership property.

Who has priority for the scheme?

For all properties, serving Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel, some ex-MOD personnel and bereaved partners will have priority to buy with the scheme. This means this priority group will have an opportunity to reserve a home first; however all Shared Ownership homes are offered on a first come first served basis after this priority group have been considered.

What homes are available for Shared Ownership?

All of Radian’s available homes are advertised at www.radianhomes.co.uk and will also be on www.helptobuysouth.co.uk. You may also see adverts for our homes on websites such as Zoopla or RightMove, or in local newspapers and press.

Buying more shares This is another great benefit of Shared Ownership; not only can you buy a percentage share suitable to your needs initially, you can also buy more shares in the property later on should you wish. This means that as your finances or lifestyle changes, you can own a bigger stake in your home, and therefore less rent on the remaining share.

The Shared Ownership home you wish to buy must be your one and only property. This includes homes abroad, holiday homes, buy to lets or a home that you are still named on the deeds/mortgage for but no longer live in, such as following a divorce or relocation.

www.radian.co.uk · 5

Magazine · Focus on Resident Involvement · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Focus on Resident Involvement · Autumn 2016

Area Panel Review We are committed to involving our residents in the running of our housing-related services and offer many ways to be involved.

Options to be involved include local community champions, community groups and resident associations as well as surveys, focus groups and webchats. See the articles on pages 6 to 9 for more details.

Since 2010, our four Area Panels − made up of residents and independent members − have worked with our staff to improve services in each of our regions.

In order to look for new ways to widen participation amongst residents and increase the number of people who can influence our services, we have recently reviewed this structure.

As a result, we are now widening our resident involvement options to include new digital options and we propose to merge all existing Area Panels into one Resident Panel.

This new group will work with staff to study your feedback and views, analyse our customer satisfaction results and look at the local make up of our communities to develop ‘local priorities’. These priorities will help us deliver solutions to some of the challenges faced in the communities where we provide housing.

This change aims to help us make further improvements to our neighbourhoods, create efficiencies and help us meet the requirement of our regulator, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The diagram below shows our new involvement structure and how it will operate. We would like to hear from you if you have any views or if you would like to get involved and be part of it.

The new Residents’ Panel will meet four times a year with the first meeting taking place in the autumn.

If you would like to find out more please contact us on 0300 123 1 567, mention your interest in joining the Residents’ Panel and ask to be put through to the Resident Involvement ream.

Alternatively email getinvolved@radian.co.uk or for more information visit www.radian.co.uk/get-involved.

Resident involvement structure Other ways to get involved Community Champions Web forums Surveys Conferences Videos Podcasts Social media

Formal involvement groups Formal involvement groups Health & Wellbeing Forum Residents’ Associations Community Safety Panel Sheltered Housing Inspectors Your Voice

Residents’ Panel

The Residents’ Panel has been formed by merging the four existing Area Panels. It will work with staff to design solutions to local priorities and to further improve our neighbourhoods.

Scrutiny Group

The Scrutiny Group is formed from the existing Residents’ Council. It will now act as a ‘critical friend’ to challenge and scrutinise the way services are delivered.

Group Combined Board The Group Combined Board considers all aspects of strategy, performance and compliance for the Group as a whole.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD One of the many benefits of living in a Radian home is that you have the opportunity to get involved in how we work and influence the services you receive.

Getting involved can be great fun and very rewarding.

Whether you’re inspired to help run activities in your community, want to get involved in reviewing our services, or just want to speak up about an issue that you’re passionate about, we have lots of ways for you to get involved and have your say.

From general groups like Your Voice, to groups looking at specifics like ASB, we really want to hear your views. You’ll make a big difference to the services you and your neighbours receive!

Joining Your Voice is ideal if you can’t commit to formal meetings, but want to have your say quickly and easily.

Radian web forum: Chat to the people who run Radian...

You can choose how much time to give, and there will always be someone available to support you. There are also plenty of opportunities to give your feedback from the comfort of your own home, either online or by post, phone or text.

So whether you have five minutes to spare for an online survey or comment, or want to come in and join one of our more formal groups, we have a way for you to get your voice heard.

o on g i t a tnform o.uk/ge i e r o .c For m .radian e Radian n ww r pho 567 to w o d lve 23 1 sident invo 1 0 e 30 the R on 0 r o f m. ask t tea and n e lvem Invo

We really want to know your thoughts and ideas in order to help us deliver the best services and help you create great communities and homes.

provide a great opportunity to put your questions and comments directly to the people who make the decisions.

Over the next year we will be trying many different ways for you to make your voice heard. One of these will be a series of live web forums where you can ask questions directly to the people who run Radian.

Each session will have a theme announced well in advance.

Please check the website and your emails for details of the first session!

We are still finalising the details of these but we are sure they will

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www.radian.co.uk · 7

Magazine · Focus on Resident Involvement · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Focus on Resident Involvement · Autumn 2016

Residents’ Associations

Do YOU want to improve your neighbourhood?

Why not become a Community Champion and be the voice of your community?

Community Champions are residents who work closely with us to improve their local area.

This could include things like: • Joining us on estate inspections • Discussing local issues • Telling us what you think about repairs and grounds maintenance • Welcoming new residents to your neighbourhood • Helping us move forward with projects that will improve your community.

As a Community Champion, you would be our person on the ground, letting us know of any issues within your local area, and helping us to resolve them.

Why become a Community Champion?

You would play an important part in helping us ensure that our neighbourhoods are clean, safe, and attractive places to live.

You could have a say in how your area could improve, and what it could look like.

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If you fancy trying your hand at being a fundraiser, you could apply for one of our Life Improvement Grants to go towards making your community look and feel great!

What do I need to do?

Get in touch! We want to involve as many residents as possible, and we are always delighted to talk to you about what this involves.

All you need is: • To be a Radian resident • To have a real passion for improving your community • To be willing to partner up with us, for the good of your local area.

Interested? Please contact Matt Barton, Community Development Officer, on 0300 123 1 567, or email matthew.barton@radian.co.uk

Community Safety Panel Looking for new members!

Another way to help improve your local community is to join a local Residents’ Association, or even help to set up a new one in your neighbourhood.

Residents’ Associations can help their community in many ways, including building community spirit, fundraising to support local projects in your neighbourhood and improving conditions in your local environment.

By working together you can be a real voice for people who live in your area and tackle the issues that matter to local people.

Radian supports Residents’ Associations in a number of ways: • Providing a starter pack with the basics covered • Advice and ideas on how to set up your group • Help with publicity, photocopying etc • A meeting room for your first meeting if needed (or funds for hiring one) • Training in setting up and running a group.

If you want to find out more about local Residents’ Associations or setting up other groups please contact the Resident Involvement team on 0300 123 1 567 or email getinvolved@radian.co.uk.

Photo competition “The voice of residents” Alan Seymour

To celebrate the relaunch of our residents’ Community Safety Panel, we are looking for new residents to come along and join this group. We interviewed Alan Seymour, the Panel’s Chair, to find out more about what the group does.

Q: What motivated you to get involved in the Panel?

A: I have been involved with the group for around three years now. I was just sitting at home all day doing nothing with too much time on my hands. I wanted to become more involved with Radian and help to improve things for other residents, this group has given me the chance to get out and about and do just that.

It helps me to keep my brain active, and keeps me out of trouble!

Q: What does the Community Safety Panel group aim to do?

A: The group aims to improve resident’s lives by trying to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and domestic abuse and acting as the voice of residents to Radian.

Q: What do you like best about being involved in the Panel?

A: I really enjoy going to the meetings which are held quarterly. I find the

guest speakers from other agencies very interesting; I always come away having learnt something new which I can then pass onto other residents.

It also allows me to socialise with other residents and get to know Radian staff.

Q: How can other residents benefit from being part of the Panel?

A: Being part of the group broadens your horizons and allows you to understand the root causes of ASB problems. It allows you to put across your views and opinions on policies and procedures that the group are consulted upon.

Q: Do you think that the Panel makes a difference?

A: Yes, it makes a huge difference to other residents and also to the residents that attend the meetings.

Q: How can more residents reading this get involved?

A: By volunteering and coming along to meetings! If you are interested please call Radian and ask to speak to a member of the Community Safety team.

We want to further recognise that you are at the forefront of driving service improvements here at Radian! To support this we are looking for photographs of our residents in their homes and communities. Any budding David Baileys out there please snap away! Photos in colour, black and white or using any Instagram/Snapchat filters will all be welcomed!

The winning photographs will receive high street vouchers and be in the prize draw for winning an SLR camera, so get snapping! We will also be looking to display winning entries across our offices.

For further information please contact Kate Dench, Community Development Officer, on 023 8062 8170.

Entries can be sent via email to kate.dench@radian.co.uk or by post to: Kate Dench, Radian, Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, SO50 6AD.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Residents Community Safety Panel or would like to know more information then please contact a member of the Community Safety team 0300 123 1 567.

www.radian.co.uk · 9

Magazine · Money · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Money · Autumn 2016

WHICH BENEFIT?

EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE OR INCOME SUPPORT?

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit available to help people who are unable to work because of illness or disability.

Income Support (IS) can be claimed by lone parents or carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

In some circumstances, in a couple where one is entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the partner is entitled to Carer’s Allowance, they might be able to claim either ESA (because the claimant is disabled) or IS because the partner is a carer.

Because ESA and IS are paid at different rates, it can make a difference which one you claim. The table below gives a general idea of which benefit is the better option.

However, if both you and your partner are receiving disability benefits, it can also make a difference depending on which one of you claims.

If you would like advice about your ESA or Income Support entitlement, please contact a Welfare Benefits Officer on

0300 123 1 567

Your benefits

Better off on...

DLA High rate of Care Component

Income Support

DLA Middle rate of Care Component AND ESA Support Group

ESA

DLA Middle rate of Care Component AND ESA Work Related Activity Group

Income Support

PIP Enhanced rate of Daily Living Component

Income Support

PIP Standard rate of Daily Living Component AND ESA Support Group

ESA

PIP Standard rate of Daily Living Component and ESA Work Related Activity Group

Income Support

Are you one of the estimated one million people in the UK who are not claiming Tax Credits that you may be entitled to?

Depending on your income and whether you have children, you may be eligible.

Working Tax Credit • Many single people without children might be entitled to Working Tax Credit

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• Single people aged over 25 who work for 30 hours or more can claim Working Tax Credit • The amount of Working Tax Credit you could receive depends on your income in the previous year. As a general rule, a single person working 30 hours would qualify if their income was less than £13,000. A higher threshold applies for people with disabilities or children

Have you received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions or your local authority advising you that you may be affected by the Benefit Cap? If you have, we want to help you!

Ring our Financial Inclusion team on 0300 123 1 567.

• Assisting with money management if you need to adjust your expenditure to manage with a reduced income

We can help by:

• Helping you explore if you can move to cheaper accommodation

• Checking if you will be affected by the Benefit Cap • Making sure that you and your household are receiving all the correct benefits you are entitled to

• Helping you to look for work or increase your hours of work so that you can claim Working Tax Credit

• Considering if you are likely to have a change in your circumstance that will impact your benefits, such as having a child who will soon be financially independent

• Assist you with applying for short term financial assistance through a Discretionary Housing Payment from your Local Authority.

More information about the Benefit Cap, including which benefits are included and who is exempt, can be found online at www.radian.co.uk/money

From Autumn 2016, the overall amount of benefits you can receive will be reduced and capped at the new rate, as shown below:

Tax Credits – are you eligible?

• People aged over 60 can claim Working Tax Credit if they are working 16 hours or more, as can people with a disability

BENEFIT CAP

Child Tax Credit • Anyone who is responsible for a child can apply for Child Tax Credit but eligibility varies depending on your income, the number of children you have, and whether they have any disabilities.

To check whether you might be entitled to Tax Credits, you can contact a Welfare Benefits Officer on 0300 123 1 567 or visit www.gov.uk/qualifytax-credits.

Single Parent Family

Two Parent Family

Single Person

£500

£500

£350

£384

£384

£257

Future Housing Benefit changes The government has announced that from April 2018 there will be further changes to Housing Benefit rates. From this date rates will be reduced to the Local Housing Allowance, which is the amount that 30% of similar-sized properties can be rented at in the private sector in the local area.

This will only affect tenancies which started after April 2016, but will affect pensioners, unlike many previous benefit changes.

A further restriction will mean that single people aged under 35 without children will have their Housing Benefit based on the rent for a room in a

shared house. Again, this will only affect tenancies starting after April 2016.

For more information on how this might affect you, contact a Welfare Benefits Officer on 0300 123 1 567

www.radian.co.uk · 11

Magazine · Health & Safety · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Money · Autumn 2016

Ask Gary

19th – 25th September is Gas Safety Week

Radian’s Financial Inclusion Officer, Gary Peckham, answers questions from residents about financial issues, including the Benefit Cap and Universal Credit.

Bedroom Tax

Universal Credit

Benefit Cap

Q: My child is at university, will

Q: I am already working,

Q: My grown up son lives with

I have to pay the bedroom tax?

A: If your local council or the

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) accept that your home is your child’s ‘normal home’, and that they come home regularly (e.g. in the holidays), you should be allocated a bedroom for them. If they don’t accept that it is their normal home, you will need to provide evidence such as where they are registered to vote, where they keep most of their belongings, what they do in the holidays, and where they intend to live after university.

Q: I want to move to a smaller property. How do I go about it?

A: You can register on

www.homeswapper.co.uk, a national mutual exchange website.

This shows you a list of social housing tenants (council or housing association) in your preferred area who may be interested in your current home. You can then make contact and arrange viewings.

so can I make a claim for Universal Credit?

A: Your personal situation

will affect when and if you can make a claim for Universal Credit.

If you are working and meet all the other eligibility rules, you will be able to claim Universal Credit if your take home pay is no higher than £338 per month.

Universal Credit can be claimed by some couples in certain parts of the country. If you are part of a couple and your combined take home pay is not more than £541 a month, you may be able to claim Universal Credit.

All the information that you need to decide if you can claim Universal Credit is available at www.gov.uk/universalcredit

Q: I’ve always had my rent paid direct to you, can this still happen?

Once you have agreed you would like to swap you need to request permission from all the landlords involved.

A: No, Universal Credit is paid

There is also another option to approach your council to join the local housing register, especially if you are under occupying.

Q: Are there any circumstances

direct to your bank account and it is your responsibility to pay your rent.

where payments can be switched back to Radian?

A: Yes, some vulnerable customers

can have the payments switched to the landlord for their rent but only in special cases, such as domestic violence or financial abuse.

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me – they get benefits in their own right. Are these added to my benefits when working out the Cap?

A: No, they are regarded as a

What is Gas Safety Week?

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances.

If left unchecked, gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In the last year alone, 343 people were injured and 10 people died as a result of gas related incidents nationwide.

separate ‘household’ for benefit purposes. The only benefits added together are those of the claimant and their partner and those paid for any children/young people they get Child Benefit for.

Q: I’ve only just lost my job – will the Benefit Cap affect me straight away?

A: No, there is a special ‘grace

period’ of nine months (39 weeks) without being affected by the Cap, for people who claim benefits in the week immediately after losing their job. This gives you nine months to find another job before your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit is reduced.

If you are entitled to Housing Benefit, the rule is that you (or your partner) must have worked at least 16 hours a week in at least 50 out of the 52 weeks before claiming benefits.

Our next ‘Ask us’ feature will focus on getting your garden ready for spring.

If you’ve got any questions email them to ask.us@radian.co.uk

Fire safety in Radian owned blocks As you would expect, we take the management of fire safety very seriously, especially in our blocks of flats.

We own and manage over 700 blocks where there are internal communal areas. Each block has an independent Fire Risk Assessment, performed by an independent expert, to ensure that we meet our health & safety obligations. These reports tell us whether action is required and make recommendations, for example about repairs or replacements that may be required.

What can I do?

• Make sure you book your gas service as soon as you hear from us that it is due • Book it in as early as possible – don’t wait until your safety certificate is about to expire

Radian takes gas safety very seriously - help us to keep you safe!

• Call us immediately if you think you won’t be able to keep your appointment and we’ll book you another

In addition each block is inspected at least monthly to ensure the blocks are safe and well maintained.

Officers record each visit and follow up actions are taken as necessary.

During these visits we ensure that communal areas are kept clear and legal notices are placed on any items found. Hazards are removed as soon as practical, usually the same day. Owners of less hazardous items are given 48 hours to remove the items.

Our Fire Risk Wardens Chris & Jeff also visit our blocks, removing items that have previously been ticketed.

Removed items are then stored for 28 days, giving time for owners to retrieve their goods.

We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the great majority of our residents who help keep corridors and lobbies clear, keeping our blocks safe for residents and their visitors.

Did you know?

Last year we carried out over 8,500 block inspections.

Between April and June 2016 we ticketed 971 items that had been left in communal areas.

The most common items were door mats, footwear and buggies or pushchairs.

In June 2016 we removed 174 items.

The strangest thing we’ve removed is an industrial size floor buffer.

Residents must pay a £10 fee to collect removed items.

www.radian.co.uk · 13

Magazine · Employment, Support & Training · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Employment, Support & Training · Autumn 2016

Employment, Support & Training

Creating opportunities to change lives

EST offers residents a range of training courses tailored to suit their needs as well as supporting those seeking employment.

Each individual EST supports goes on their own personal journey with the team. Whether it’s into employment, training or a mixture of both, the team offers close support and guidance to residents. Once EST has helped individuals find work the team continues to stay in touch as part of their aftercare programme. This has encouraged residents to stay positive within their new jobs through the first three months which can certainly be the most challenging within new employment.

This can involve support in building CVs, use of a Kaonix Vacancy Match job search engine and individual support.

Over the last twelve months EST has supported 119 people into employment and 315 into training.

Our Employment, Support & Training (EST) team is passionate and dedicated to supporting residents into employment and training.

Case study: Dwayne’s story

With mentoring support from the team, his CV was updated and registered on the Kaonix Job Search site to help with his employment search. Following further support from the team, he sufficiently gained confidence to be able to approach employers directly by distributing his CV to local businesses. This in turn led to a successful period of work experience with a retailer that ultimately led to him gaining full time employment with the same company.

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EST ‘Open Days’ are a great opportunity for residents to meet and speak to the EST team as well as a variety of people who offer help, knowledge, support and contacts.

Attendees range from employers, support specialists and services ranging from job searching, financing and mental health. Over the coming months, we are holding open days at the following locations and dates:

Southampton

13 October, 11am to 3pm Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre Hampton Park Way, off Broadlands Road, Swaythling, SO17 3AT

After becoming homeless, Dwayne secured a tenancy with Radian in 2015. When reading his welcome pack he found out about the EST team and the service they offered to residents.

At the time he was suffering with depression and anxiety, but with the support of his Tenancy Sustainment Officer Angela, he was referred to EST. The team recognised he had good transferable skills and the support he required to overcome the barriers to get into sustainable employment.

Dates for your diary: EST Open Days

Sawyers Close, Windsor Going back to work has had such a positive impact on Dwayne’s life. He reports that his confidence levels have increased and now feels motivated. Returning to a regular daily routine and meeting new people have had a positive impact on his depression and he is in a much happier place. Dwayne told us:

“I am extremely grateful to the EST team for their support and the invaluable service that they offer to Radian residents”.

12 January, 11am to 3pm The Pump Room, Broadleys, Sawyers Close, Windsor SL4 1HU

For details of any event or available support from EST please do not hesitate to contact the team on 0800 422 0570 or email estsupport@radian.co.uk.

Bordon Job Fair 2016

Go Your Own Way!

EST’s highly successful annual Job Fair returned to the Forest Community Centre in Bordon on 30 June, giving jobseekers the opportunity to engage with over 30 local employers.

Have you ever considered becoming self-employed or starting your own business?

EST was joined by employers including Amey, Nurse Plus, Keats Estate Agents, McDonalds and the British Army. As the fair was not only about helping residents find work but also to give support in other areas of life that could aid their job search and own welfare, a number of training and apprenticeship providers also attended including iTalk, Job Centre, National Careers Service and The Prince’s Trust.

The Mayor of Whitehill, Councillor David Cooper, who opened the event, expressed “how wonderful it is to have a job fair of this size in Bordon to help the local community find employment, training and offer guidance on CVs”.

The Job Fair was a huge success with over 150 people attending and making over 400 enquiries to exhibitors about potential opportunities. As a result of the fair, 13 residents were formally offered interviews, of which six were successful in finding employment.

EST has teamed up with business start-up expert Michelle Daniells to create ‘Go Your Own Way’ – a new self-employment course for Radian residents. The business course is an in depth program demonstrating the benefits and challenges of becoming your own boss and turning your ideas into a real business. Residents who have a business idea, passion, enthusiasm and commitment will be perfect candidates for the course. For anyone interested in the course, we are holding a number of induction days at the following locations and dates:

Poole/Bournemouth 5 October 11am to 2pm Poole Central Library, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Kingland Road, Poole BH15 1QE Southampton 10 November 11am to 2pm Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre, Hampton Park Way, off Broadlands Road, Swaythling, SO17 3AT Windsor 26 January 11am to 2pm Location: TBC www.radian.co.uk · 15

Magazine · Adaptations · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Staying in touch · Autumn 2016

BATHING DIFFICULTIES Many people with disabilities find that bathing is a big challenge.

Getting in and out of a bath is tricky to manage with pain or loss of mobility. Bathing issues are one of the most popular reasons for calls to Radian’s adaptation service.

Radian supports Macular Week Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world.

Around 600,000 people in the UK have sight loss caused by AMD. Macular disease has a profound impact on those with the condition, but the right information and support can help people retain their independence.

In June, Radian supported Macular Week (27 June to 3 July) by holding events to raise awareness of the condition, including one at Leslie Dunne House in Windsor. Representatives from the Macular Society, Berkshire Vision, the Prince Charles Eye unit and A1 Opticians attended to talk to residents about available support and give free consultations on the day.

The team can help you to stay safe while bathing by fixing grab rails on the walls around a bath which provide an aid to balance.

We class this as a major adaptation and it takes a while to organise but when in place provides easy access seated showering.

Where there is a valid medical reason (with supporting evidence) we can consider installation of a shower, a mixer tap with hose extension or an electric over-bath shower adaptation.

Anyone considering their own installation of showering or bathing solutions is advised to contact the Adaptions team, who will be happy to help. Please remember you will require permission in writing from your Neighbourhood Officer before commissioning any work.

When getting into the bath is no longer possible due to extreme pain, reduced function or lack of mobility, the Local Authority Social Services teams or Radian’s Occupational Therapists can explore funding eligibility for a wet room adaptation.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s (RBWM) public health team also attended to offer blood pressure checks and share information on nutrition and healthy eating.

My Radian - the key to your account It’s clear you are all finding My Radian useful as over 8,000 of you are now registered! We are continuing work on the portal, as we want you to be able to access everything you want, hassle free, day or night.

If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s a useful service that you can access day or night to view your account information and statements, make payments, report repairs, set up Direct Debits and much more.

To register today, head to the main Radian website at www.radian.co.uk and click the green ‘My Radian’ tab.

When is my repair booked for?

a reference number for the job along with time and date the operative will be attending. Should you need to reschedule just let us know before your appointment.

Dabble in digital…

What would you like to be able to do online? Let us know Tweet: @RadianGroup Facebook: Radian Community E-mail: radiandirect@radian.co.uk

Starting from October you will receive a text message reminder once you have booked your repair and an additional message the day before your appointment. The text will have

Leasehold survey competition winner

If you would like to talk to a member of the team about bathroom adaptations please contact Radian Direct on

0300 123 1 567 For more information about AMD, visit the Macular Society’s website at www. macularsociety.org/mac

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DIVE INTO DIGITAL!

In May this year the Leasehold & Commercial team sent out surveys to approximately 3000 Radian homeowners. The Radian Homeowner Survey was designed to give homeowners the opportunity to tell us about their experiences with our service and what they would like to see improved in the future. As an incentive for completing and returning the forms, all names were entered into a draw to win £100 of Love2Shop vouchers. The lucky winner was…

Mrs Joan Staples of Campbell

Road in Eastleigh, pictured being presented with her prize by Anna Cooper and Johnny Parsons of the Leasehold & Commercial team.

Radian homeowners can now contact the Leasehold & Commercial team directly by using our new dedicated homeowner number

0300 123 3 245

www.radian.co.uk · 17

Magazine · 60 Plus Housing · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Rother · Autumn 2016

Find out about 60 Plus housing Radian’s 60 Plus properties may appeal to you if you want to live independently, in a smaller and easier-to-manage home, and like the idea of having someone to call on if there is an emergency.

We provide over 1,000 high-quality, good value homes with a high level of service through our dedicated team. Our schemes are designed for independent living with the added security of a 24 hour emergency alarm call system. All our schemes have designated Independent Living Officers who offer an intensive housing management service and in many schemes they also provide a housing support service.

Ray is a resident who has recently moved in to one of our schemes in Liss. He told us about life there: “I grew up in Liss and have lived here nearly all my life, so I was very happy to move in to Rother House in Liss.

After retiring last year I was keen to downsize and after looking round I knew Rother House was perfect for me. Since moving here I have really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and communal activities.

“With funding from Radian’s Community Grants scheme I was able to start a games club which is going really well, and I also do a weekly run to the local fish and chip shop for everyone which we all look forward to. Another resident has been organising several day trips which are great opportunities to get out and about. I have also become an Age

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Rother Quebec Park

On Saturday 25 June Radian’s Wellbeing Wagon made an appearance at the Whitehill & Bordon Festival, which was arranged by the Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership in collaboration with Hampshire 999.

Concern Village Agent for Liss Village which gives me the opportunity to help many other older residents in the village.”

Whitehill & Bordon’s transformation from garrison town to healthy new town is well under way. The town will be designed to feature top new facilities with health and wellbeing at the heart. As well as a health campus in the new town centre as part of the town’s transformation, Radian is developing a café on the former Quebec Barracks within the existing Chieftain and Centurion buildings.

The café will be located in a newly constructed atrium that will join these two buildings together and will front a new outside space.

“I would recommend Radian’s sheltered schemes and encourage residents already living in one to come together to organise activities and trips.”

The field was full of emergency vehicles, fun fair rides and craft stalls, and Radian formed part of the Community Village alongside many other local organisations and agencies.

On board the Wellbeing Wagon were Quit4Life and massage therapist Ramandeep Chahal, who provided free mini Indian head massages throughout the day.

Community Development Officer Susi Drummond spoke to lots of local residents and completed several questionnaires on local health services.

The café will not only provide local people with a place to meet but will support the healthy new town ethos by promoting wellbeing through offering healthy food, using local produce where possible, as well as offering health and wellbeing centered activities. The café will also focus on supporting training and volunteering opportunities in a friendly, informal and interactive place to be.

You can also find out more by coming along to one of our upcoming open days:

• Kelly House, Southampton – Monday 19 September, 11am to 1pm

• Ramscote, Petersfield – Wednesday 28 September, 1pm to 3pm

• Orchard House, Alton – Monday 3 October, 1pm to 3pm

• Manor Farm House, Windsor – Tuesday 11 October, 11am to 1pm

Wellbeing Wagon visits Whitehill & Bordon

If you or someone you know may be interested in one of our schemes please visit our website www.radian.co.uk/ over60sservices or call us on

0300 123 1 567

We would like to hear from people in the Whitehill & Bordon area to find out more about what living in a healthy new town will mean to you. What do you think should be the priorities in the new town? What activities would you like to see being run from the new café that would help you to live a healthy lifestyle?

We’d like to hear from you!

Please contact Susi Drummond, Community Development Officer, on 0300 123 1 567.

www.radian.co.uk · 19

Magazine · Solent · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Thames · Autumn 2016

Solent What a load of rubbish!

partners from other organisations, the Community Investment (CI) team have been investigating the reasons for it and trying to find solutions.

It’s a big problem because it’s costly for Radian and our residents to remove bulky items such as sofas, washing machines, fridges and freezers which have been dumped on the estate. It takes staff away from other duties and as well as looking unsightly, it can cause harm to people and to wildlife.

It’s been a busy summer in Mansbridge as residents got together to tackle an issue that many people consider to be just a load of old rubbish.

Fly-tipping has been a growing problem in the area, as in many other places, and with the help of local residents, colleagues and

As a result, we’ve been finding out about the alternatives. In August we held a community environment day where local residents were able to pick up tips and share their stories about recycling unwanted items and getting rid of bulky items and rediscovering the art of make do and mend with sewing, composting and upcycling demonstrations.

Local residents have also been getting crafty in support of the project and the results are amazing!

Back in June, year 6 pupils from Mansbridge Primary School helped to create a horse for our history project out of old milk cartons at Kelly House. Pupils together with staff at the Round About Café, Radian and Tesco Eastleigh helped collect and wash(!) hundreds of milk cartons for the project. Children have also been able to gain the Discover Arts Award through clay modelling activities run by the Bursledon Brickworks.

They created clay plaques to remind people about removing their bulky waste appropriately.

We’re all learning new things as we go along and over the next few months residents who share their story with us will have chance to win themselves a voucher to spend in the Round About Café.

It’s been a busy summer at the Round About Café. In addition to our normal activities, we’ve been supporting all kinds of events around the estate, focusing on keeping the children busy and engaged, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting digital inclusion and finding ways to improve our local area by recycling more.

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We are proud to support the values and ethos of Black History Month (BHM), as we have done since its inception in Southampton in 2004.

We have seen the ambition and reach of the events, exhibitions and activities it hosts grow year on year.

It is a vital part of Southampton City’s annual calendar, recognised and valued widely beyond the black communities.

This year’s theme is ‘role models’ and Radian will again have strong involvement throughout October in support of BHM. We will be working with NHS partners to bring the Wellbeing Wagon to various Southampton communities, tackling health inequalities amongst African and African Caribbean communities across the City.

We know that life has its ups and downs so if money’s a worry for you at the moment, come in and talk to us and enjoy a cuppa with us from our ‘One for the Pot’ project set up by our volunteers.

Don’t forget to check our website, Facebook page or the Café window

to find out more information or even better, come in and say hello.

We can be found at 12 Westfield Corner, Mansbridge, Southampton, SO18 2LE or call us on 023 8067 2700 or visit www.roundaboutcafe.org

All the events will bring together Radian residents and our wider communities to celebrate African and African Caribbean role models across the generations. We are very proud to be part of this magnificent project and look forward to all the celebrations, starting with the opening event on 30 September 2016 at City College Southampton, where you will find us with our Wellbeing Wagon!

Thames Mens Matters definitely look at the world through different eyes in the days following the sessions. I look forward to starting the new cookery sessions.”

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Round About Café update

We’re now exploring and planning a range of new activities to take us through the winter months including community cook and eat sessions, selling and recycling online; health checks; monthly Finance Surgeries; lunch clubs for senior residents and physical activity sessions for all ages.

Black History Month

Men’s Matters is a national movement aimed at providing older men with group-based activities and encouraging social interaction. All aspects of modern living, hobbies and pastimes are catered for, depending on the interests of the individuals in the group.

Our Men’s Matters group in Windsor have now completed a very successful cookery course in which they learnt about healthy eating, cooking on budget and common issues, such as hidden sugars in

foods. The sessions were extremely well received with the men requesting a further five classes in which they will learn about cooking healthy evening meals.

The group have also just completed a four week painting and drawing class, with one group member telling us how much they enjoyed the art sessions: “Even though I have absolutely no aptitude for art at all, the conversations are enjoyable and I

We have also met with the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s Public Health team to see if they are able to provide any health based sessions to the group, linking to Radian’s wider objective of establishing partnerships with a focus on wellbeing.

Sessions are starting again in September, at which time the group will start working on creating a Men’s Matters website and blog.

If you are interested in getting involved or want to find out more contact Madhuri on 0300 123 1 567 / 07917 590325 or email getinvolved@radian.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you.

www.radian.co.uk · 21

Magazine · Thames · Autumn 2016

Magazine · Longwood Park · Puzzles & Kids zone · Autumn 2016

Longwood Park

Sawyers Close What’s been happening at Sawyers Close…

currently happening that you think would really add to the estate?

On Friday 3 June we celebrated Neighbours Day with an event that gave residents the chance to come together and chat to various local agencies from the Police, Council, Citizens Advice Bureau and Radian.

There was delicious Indonesian food, games and a big drawing activity together with many conversations prompting great ideas; here are some ideas of what kids (and big kids) love or would like to see in the area:

Then get in touch with SCRA by emailing sawyersclose@gmail.com

Coming up at Sawyers Close…

Sawyers Close Residents’ Association (SCRA) is recruiting new members. It’s an exciting time on the estate as the Pump Room gets refurbished. Have you got ideas for activities you would like to lead or help with? Is there something not

Autumn will see a return of the Adopt-a-Street programme where we will work with residents and some little helpers from Dedworth Middle School to sweep round the estate to make it spic and span. We will be creating habitats for small animals and creepy-crawlies during the winter. Approaching Christmas we will be holding ‘upcycling’ sessions; have you got an old piece of clothing or furniture that you could give a new lease of life to?

Friends In Need will be selling their crafts, and there will be free health checks, meditation and information for those wanting to find out more.

And the Wagon is back on 12 October for World Arthritis Day, with advice, support, adapted products.

We’ll also have Tai Chi sessions and free health checks.

If you want to get involved contact Claire Whetton, Community Development Officer on 01753 590997 or claire.whetton@radian.co.uk

The Wellbeing Wagon is coming to Sawyers Close for World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Sue Deans (Senior Housing Officer) left after 12 years and will be greatly missed for all the fantastic work that she has done on the estate with the board and residents. Laura Swain (Neighbourhood Officer) also left in August to go on maternity leave.

The office will continue to be open from 9am to 12pm, Monday to Friday, but if you need to see someone outside of those times please contact the team on 01753 590995.

Over the next few weeks and months you may notice some new staff faces on the estate. Debbie Playle (Area Housing Manager), Phil Rowe

Kid’s zone competition: Under the sea word search

Avon Schools Challenge Back in 2015 schools in the Avon region were invited to take part in the Radian Schools Challenge with a chance of winning £1000 for an innovative new community project.

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(Team Leader), Dan Wong (Housing Assistant), Cath Price (Community Team Leader) and Shabana Farooq (Community Development Officer) will all be at Longwood on a rota basis to support Colleen Garwood and Karen Hamilton to maintain the high levels of service.

Puzzles & Kids zone

Avon

The three projects entered were all very different. Avonbourne College in Bournemouth ran a project around a WW1 memorial garden. Sarum Academy in Salisbury encouraged pupils to work on an art project that celebrated their community in association with local junior schools and an adult art group. Finally, pupils at Calmore Infant School in Totton learnt all about eating fresh fruit

It’s been a busy few months at Longwood Park, with a number of changes in the housing office.

and vegetables by growing plants from seed in their garden within the school grounds.

In July members of the Avon Area Panel went to judge the projects and were amazed at the results from all three. Sarum Academy’s project was chosen as the overall winner of the £100 prize. The Panel were very impressed with how hard the

pupils had worked on the project and the level of the involvement from the community. They were also very pleased to see the pupils’ pride in their city and the high quality of the artwork they produced. The Panel were delighted to be invited to their end of year art display and present their winner’s cheque. Well Done Sarum Academy… keep up the good work!

Shabana and Cath are working on a number of community and resident activities at Longwood, including IT sessions, weekly drop-ins with shelter, and financial support and advice sessions. We are also working with residents to explore the possibility of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group.

We are also working with A2Dominion to explore options for delivering ladies only keep fit sessions at Langley Health Centre.

To enter the competition, just complete the word search and fill in the form below. Send the finished word search to us via post or email.

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OCTOPUS LOBSTER SHELL FISH CRAB

EEL SHARK WHALE S E AW E E D CORAL

The competition is open to anyone aged 16 and under.

Entries must be received by 30 October 2016. Post them to R Magazine, Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, SO50 6AD. Alternatively email your completed form and puzzle to rmag@ radian.co.uk. Winners will be contacted before the next edition.

Competition winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the summer 2016 competition!

We’re pleased to say that William, aged 5 from Southampton, won some Love2Shop vouchers to spend on some fab new toys and games. Congratulations William!

www.radian.co.uk · 23

Contact details: Address: Radian, Collins House, Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6AD

Email: radiandirect@radian.co.uk Website: www.radian.co.uk Telephone: Radian Direct: 0300 123 1 567

Scan here:

Scan this QR code using a smartphone with a camera and a QR code reader app (there are free apps available). When you take a picture of this code you’ll be sent to the Radian website!

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Monday-Friday: 8.30am to 5pm Thursday: 8.30am to 7pm (Closed 10am to 12.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month for training) Emergency out-of-hours number: 0800 783 8937