Rooftop Edition 90 autumn winter 2017

Shout it from the

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

Magazine

Universa Credit l

page 15

-17

Rooftop Christm a

page 23

s Events

Rooftop Compet Garden ition pag e 28-29

Emergency repairs and anti-social behaviour can be reported even when we are closed on 0800 0421 800 Call us free on 0800 0421 800 or visit our website at www.rooftopgroup.org

ARE YOU READY FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Our team of advisors are available to offer you support and advice to make sure that you are ready for the changes to your benefits.

Visit our website or contact us for more information www.rooftopgroup.org / 0800 0421 800

Gas Safety Checks Please allow access

With winter approaching, please make sure your gas appliance has received its yearly gas service so that it is in top condition to warm your home.

Our contractor visits properties annually to carry out gas servicing and inspection of gas appliances, flues and pipework.

This is a free service and part of our obligation under the terms of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

IN THIS

ISSUE EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

You in turn must allow us access as part of your tenancy conditions.

If you believe you have missed your yearly appointment, please contact the office on 01386 420800 or email repairsweb@rooftopgroup.org.

As well as being a statutory obligation, allowing access could save you freezing at home due to a preventable breakdown.

Gas Safety Are you aged over 55?

Home Swapper Housing Fraud Burkes Court Resident Involvement Edna Coercive Control Digital Inclusion Universal Credit Building Better Opportunities Katie and the Fire Rooftop Christmas Events Seddon Activity Day Rooftop Pinboard Garden Competition Winners Puzzle Pages

page 3 page 4-5 page 6 page 7 page 9 page 10 page 11 page 12 page 14 page 15-17 page 18-19 page 20-21 page 23 page 24 page 25-27 page 28-29 page 30-31

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Are you aged over 55?

Do you know that Rooftop has several housing schemes where we work in partnership to enable residents to live as independently and safely as possible.

The cost of living in an extra care scheme is significantly cheaper than a residential or nursing home and provides choice, independence and dignity for everyone.

Rooftop also have older persons schemes in Evesham, Pershore and Broadway.

These schemes are designed for people over the age 60 or 55 with a disability. They promote independent living and benefit from a communal lounge and organised activities.

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Contact us if you have any questions, would like further information or would like to look at any of the schemes.

Please call Lorraine Grant on 01386 420 800 or email Lorraine.Grant@rooftopgroup.org To register for housing in any of these schemes, please contact the housing department at your local council in Wychavon or Gloucestershire.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Dorothy Terry House DorothyTerry House is situated in Redditch,Worcestershire and is designed for people over 55 years living with dementia or cognitive impairment.

The scheme consists of 42 self-contained one and two bedroom apartments arranged on five levels with a lift and wheelchair access. People who move

into DorothyTerry House,will have their own tenancy

agreement with Rooftop Housing Group and their

planned care needs will be provided for by

Heritage Care.

For more information about this scheme, contact lorraine.shannon@heritagecare.co.uk, call 01527 541575 or go to the Heritage Care website.

Dora Matthews House Dora Matthews House is situated in Coleford and offers a bespoke service to over 55s who are able to live an independent life but need some extra care and support. The scheme consists of 44 self-contained one and two bedroom apartments and five, two-bedroom dormer bungalows.

People who move into Dora Matthews House, will have their own tenancy agreement with Rooftop Housing Group and their planned care needs will be provided for by Heritage Care.

For more information about the accommodation, contact dora@heritagecare.co.uk, call on 020 8502 3933 or go to the Heritage Care website

Yates Court and St Oswald’s Village Yates Court is in the heart of Evesham and Rooftop works in partnership with Extra Care Charitable Trust to support residents with assessed care needs, including dementia.

There is a social club onsite which non-residents are also welcomed to attend.The scheme consists of 95 one or two bedroomed apartments with a lift and wheelchair access throughout. People who move into Yates Court will have their own tenancy agreement with Rooftop Housing Group and their planned care needs will be provided for

by Extra Care Charitable Trust.

St Oswald’s Village is on the old cattle market site in Gloucester. There are 160 one or two bedroomed apartments.There are lots of facilities at this site, including a café, bar, restaurant, hairdresser, gym, several activity rooms and a large hall. There is a local shop and cash machine.

For more information about the accommodation, contact judith.say@extracare.org.uk telephone number 01386 40006 - for Yates Court Or andrew.strong@extracare.org.uk telephone number 01452 875057 - for St Oswald’s or go to the Extracare website.

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Would you like to move home?

Try HomeSwapper!

HomeSwapper is the UK’s largest and most successful home swap service. It is free to all Rooftop tenants and is easy to use.

Each week thousands of people living in social housing register online and advertise their homes, looking for another tenant who would like to swap. As one of our tenants you can swap homes with another tenant using HomeSwapper and best of all it is free!

HomeSwapper has the UK’s largest database of people looking to swap homes across the UK. HomeSwapper uses the details you supply to automatically match you to other tenants who may have a home that you’d like and who would also be interested in your property.

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When it finds you a match you’ll be alerted

by SMS text or email. You can then log onto HomeSwapper, look at the home you have been matched with and if you like the look of it you can arrange to visit.

You can access HomeSwapper straight away by logging on to www.homeswapper.co.uk and registering to use the service. You can find lots of home swap advice and tips on the website.

We hope to provide a Homeswapper event next year so please watch this space Good luck in your search for a new home!

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Housing Fraud

Tell us, we will do the rest Rooftop and their partners take a proactive approach to preventing, detecting and investigating housing fraud, and have a range of tools to identify if fraudulent activity has taken place.

The team ensures that social housing is allocated and occupied by those who have been assessed as eligible for social housing.

The team is also focused on identifying where individuals have defrauded the council or housing association by

financially gaining from a Rooftop property or gaining a property by deception. In 2016/17 the team detected housing fraud which resulted in a range of sanctions, including 10 tenancies recovered. If you suspect any housing fraud, please contact your Neighbourhood Officer on 01386 420800 or email hda@ rooftopgroup.org. Alternatively, you can contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.

Safe, secur e, easy pay by Di rec Are you moving from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit? Pay your rent by Direct Debit either monthly or weekly, and budget for the future.

• Have your circumstances changed?

• Have you moved over to Universal Credit?

• Universal Credit will be paid to you – you are

responsible for paying your rent.

• Budget and take control.

• Apply for Universal Credit online.

• Pay your rent by Direct Debit to coincide with

your Universal Credit payment.

• Call your Income Team on 0800 0421 800.

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

t Debit

Don’t be scared by Universal Credit. Register online at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. You can keep track of your rent account by visiting our website www.rooftopgroup.org and clicking on ‘My Account’. If you haven’t registered for an online account before, complete the sign up form which is found on our website, and use the personal reference and validation code from your web access letter.

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We give impartial advice, guidance and information

Is your home at risk?

Issues with Benefits?

Need support with living well?

Difficulties in paying bills and budgeting?

For more information and advice on what support is available to you please contact 0800 0421 800 and ask to speak to the RAFT team Worcestershire Young People’s Consortium consists of the Bromsgrove Basement Project, Redditch Nightstop and Rooftop Housing and the RAFT project is funded by Worcestershire County Council

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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Burkes Court John Burke came to England from Ireland to seek his fortune and in 1855 was pushing his hand cart round the cobbled streets of Cheltenham. For many years, some readers may recollect the cry of the rag and bone man as they walked the streets.

Many a child earned a few bob by taking out old bike frames or piles of cotton to the cart.

By his hard work John progressed into the scrap metal business and had two yards in Cheltenham, one in Dunalley Street and one in Tewkesbury Road, where Burke Bros still trade today. In Dunalley Street now stands Burkes Court, a development of wheelchair accessible and general needs flats, named of course after the Burkes Bros LTD founded in 1953.

If you know the story of your Rooftop development, contact us on our social media.

Written by resident David Burke

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Resident Involvement at Rooftop This year has seen many changes in the panels and the teams that support and facilitate their work.

The Resident Excellence Panel (REP) and Customer Panel (CP) have implemented changes recommended by an external review. This separated the two groups and recognised the need to have distinct memberships.

Many tenants chose to support the Customer Panel’s role of reviewing and setting standards.

As a result, there was a need to recruit a completely new group of tenants for the REP. A handful of members came forward, but most did not stay beyond the first couple of meetings. A review of the reasons for this revealed that our expectations of tenants’ availability was beyond what people were able to offer and our recruitment and induction procedures were far too complicated and this put people off.

A social media appeal resulted in some new members and with the assistance of an Independent Chair they conducted a review of Repairs Responsibility.

TENENT & LANDLORD

RESPONSIBILITIES The REP found that there was no support from staff for increasing the tenant’s responsibilities and they recommended that greater detail is needed on existing responsibilities. This should be incorporated into the tenancy agreement.

Other providers used videos and advice and guidance on their websites to assist tenants in carrying out repairs that are their responsibilities. Rooftop will improve their tenant information and tenant training material.

Other actions include training for the staff that take the repair calls so they can distinguish what a landlord must do and what a tenant must take responsibility for. This will lead to consistency over the jobs that we carry out and tenants having a choice over how they deal with items that are theirs.

This is an important piece of work and you will be seeing these actions implemented over the coming months.

By carrying out Scrutiny reviews the REP can challenge our existing practices and make recommendations for improving services to tenants.

This year the Involved residents on the Panels were invited to the Rooftop conference where work was started on reviewing our values.

Repairs Responsibility looked at what was a landlord responsibility and what was a tenant responsibility and compared the policies from other organisations.

Customer Panel members continued to review procedures and assess applications for the Community Fund and Young Persons Training Fund.

The conclusions and recommendations have been approved by the Audit Committee. The review found that Rooftop policy was not too different from other landlords, but we have not been consistent in following it.

If you would like to get involved with the Resident Excellence Panel please contact 01386 420800 or email enquiries@rooftopgroup.org

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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

This is

Edna I’d place Edna in her 60s (but I also put my 40-year-old boss in his 50s and he’s still not talking to me).

She walks towards me effortlessly and introduces herself with a smile.

She wears black leggings and a blue blouse and lowers herself into the chair facing me without so much as an ache, pain or groan.

Edna’s age is impossible to guess, she is as comfortable in her skin as I am. She is chatty, confident and energetic. I’m here to ask Edna about her busy lifestyle and to see if she has any advice for other residents in our over 55 schemes on how to stay active.

“The thing I like to do most is swimming. I’m not a very good swimmer, but I enjoy it” She tells me that she swims at the leisure centre twice a week, but to give herself an extra challenge she walks there and back. A total of 50 minutes walking either side of a 45-minute swim.

She has two other days in the week where she attends gentle ‘old lady’

exercise classes as she describes them with a smile.

She keeps Fridays

free for housework, but she’ll usually find something more fun to do.

Edna’s favourite hobby is one that she started herself.

“I started off going to visit one lady who couldn’t get out. I said to her one day, ‘instead of coming to your flat we should sit in the lounge.’

We made a cup of tea and when people walked past and said ‘hello’ we offered them tea and invited them to join us. We’re now up to ten people.”

There is another lady who cares for her husband Edna tells me, “he’s dependant on her”, so when he has hospital check-ups Edna makes sure that she takes the wife out for the day.

“I try to get people involved and out at least”.

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

She tells me that these months will be a challenge, “with the winter coming up I’m really working a bit harder because they never go out.

Lots of them with good reason, they’re afraid they’ll slip”.

I ask Edna why she invests so much of her time into other people.

“I do because, I’m active and I’ve got this nice cheery nature. I’m lucky” Edna tells me that she has had some very hard times but has always kept her positive nature, “otherwise you’d be very sad and have a miserable life”.

As our time runs out (Edna has plans) she leaves me with something poignant.

“If you’re feeling down, that’s the time to go out and to try to be with people. If you sit in on your own, it’s the strangest thing, you just get worse”.

Before she goes I ask if I can put her age into the article.

“I’ll be 80 in March”.

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Coercive Control Would you recognise the signs?

Coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate or family relationship occurs when someone, repeatedly or continuously, engages in behaviour towards another person which causes them to fear that violence will be used against them. This causes them serious alarm or distress which has a negative effect on their usual day to day activities.

The offence of controlling or coercive behaviour was introduced in 2015, to specifically tackle abuse in an ongoing relationship. A person commits an offence if they repeatedly or continuously engage in behaviour towards another person that is controlling or coercive.

Controlling or coercive behaviour is a purposeful pattern of incidents which take place over time, in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another.

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person less dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capabilities for personal gain, regulating their everyday behaviour and depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape.

Coercive behaviour is an act, or pattern of acts, assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten the victim.

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Examples could include: • •

•

• • • •

Isolation from family and friends Depriving basic needs (finance, clothing and social inclusion) Monitoring their time, movement or online activity Threats to kill Threats to kill a child Physical assault Controlling aspects of a person’s everyday life such as: o Where they go o Who they see o What to wear o Change of appearance (for example, a new hair cut) o When they can sleep

Many people might recognise this in relation to domestic abuse but coercive control can also happen in other circumstances such as elderly people who are being controlled by their carers or relatives.

For more information and support, please contact Sarah Phipps on 01386 420800 extension 361.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

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Digital Inclusion My name is Jodie Edwards, the new Digital Connector for Wychavon.

As part of the Go-ON Worcestershire partnership our aim is help people of all ages and backgrounds discover the benefits of being online. I’d like to invite you to join our computer workshops.

Universal credit is coming to our area soon and part of the requirement is to be able to manage your claim online. In our workshops we can help you get online, set up an email address and help you prepare for your online application.

With the help of volunteer Digital Champions we hold workshops in the Wychavon area to learn basic computer skills in a relaxed and friendly environment.Typically an hour long we step by step go through the use of •

Emails – this includes the setting up of a new email, guiding you through the various parts and functions, attachments and selfies. How to identify and delete spam.

•

Using a search engine to find web pages, news articles and photos of your chosen subject. Also how to do more advanced searches

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How to browse the internet, wondering around without any particular subject in mind going to where your impulse takes you.

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Evaluate which websites to trust and other security concerns. This includes Spyware, Trojans and Virus.

A very important area of being online.

•

It’s the intention of many companies to base more and more of their application and form filling online.

We’ll show you how easy this is and the benefits it provides.

Our groups are small so one to one help is available.

This initiative covers the whole of Worcestershire so if you are from another area and I will put you in touch with the Digital Connector.

Digital Champions are volunteers whose mission to get people online. Either 1 to 1 or in a group. A very rewarding and satisfying thing to do.

If you are interested in taking part in a course or becoming a Digital Champion. Please contact me on 01386 420800 extension 220, send me a letter at Head Office or email me on jodie.edwards@Rooftopgroup.org

DO YOU..

Need help getting online?

Have to apply for your benefits digitally?

Want to make the most of the internet?

Want to explore more?

Our Digital Connector can help you get online!

With help from our digital connector, the internet does not have to be so daun�ng. We can help you be more confident in the digital world.

Feeling more confident? You can become a digital Champion and help others get online!

For workshops and more informa�on contact Jodie Edwards on: Telephone: 01386 420800 ext 220 - Email: jodie.edwards@roo�opgroup.org

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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

ARE YOU READY FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

Getting Welfare Informed

The Government’s ongoing Welfare Reform programme means a reduction in income for many people. It’s important to find out how you could be affected so that you can start to organise your finances and avoid the risk of getting behind with your rent.

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Universal Credit

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Universal Credit is a benefit for working age people that replaces a number of other benefits and tax credits. It’s a single monthly payment for people in or out of work. The idea is to make it easier to move into and out of work because you don’t need to transfer to a different benefit as your situation changes.

When will I move onto Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is being rolled out over several years. So far, anyone who is single with no children will go onto Universal Credit when they apply for benefits. Over the next few years, Universal Credit will be paid to all people out of work, on low incomes with or without dependents, and anyone who is unable to work due to illness or injury for a short or definite period of time.

How it’s paid to claimants In the majority of cases, Universal Credit will be The Universal Credit rollout dates by Job a single, monthly payment which is paid in arrears Centre Plus are as follows: Ourdirectly team of into advisors available to offer Universal you support and advice to make sure the are claimant’s account.

Credit that you are ready for the changes to your benefits.

• Forest of Dean November 2017 will include housing costs, which means that you will Visit our website or contact us for more information • Tewkesbury December 2017 be responsible for paying www.rooftopgroup.org / 0800 your 0421 rent 800 directly to us as • Cheltenham December 2017 your landlord. Universal Credit can only be paid into • Gloucester February 2018 a bank, building society, Post Office card account or • Worcester October 2018 • Evesham November 2018 current account with a credit union.

Things to do now To get ready for Universal Credit: • Make sure you have a bank, building society, post office or credit union account that Universal Credit can be paid into, and from which you can pay rent and other bills via Direct Debit.

• Get online - you will have to make your Universal Credit claim and manage your account online.

• Draw up and work to a monthly budget. The Government’s Money Advice Service has a useful tool: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

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2017

A Benefit changes timeline REA UNIV CR

Housing benefit

No housing element of Universal Credit for some 18-21 year olds.

Universal Credit

Full digital roll out for Universal Credit continues, enabling all claimant types to apply for Universal Credit.

Young people looking for work must sign new Youth Obligation contracts.

18-21 year olds, who have been claiming Universal Credit for six months will have to either apply for training/apprenticeships or attend a work placement, unless they are exempt (considered to be vulnerable).

Tax credits

Support for children through Tax credits and Universal Parents whose youngest child is three must both be looking for work.

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Family element removed in new claims.

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Employment support allowance

Employment support allowance work related activity element is being stopped.

Claimants will receive the same rate of payment as those claiming Jobseekers Allowance and the equivalent in Universal Credit.

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Living wage and tax

The living wage and personal tax allowance increases.

Childcare

Tax free childcare is to be introduced as a replacement for employer supported childcare (childcare vouchers).

Free childcare to be increased to 30 hours per week for working parents of three and four year olds.

Bereavement benefits

Will be replaced by bereavement support payments for new claims.

Hardship payments

Will be automatically payable to claimants who are homeless, or who are mentally ill when they are sanctioned.

2018 and beyond

Housing benefit

Our team of advisors are availa youtenancies are readyand for the chan Housing benefit is limited by local rent levels for all new social that housing Visit our website or contact us f those signed since April 2016. www.rooftopgroup.org / 0800

Housing benefit is replaced by Universal Credit for all working ages.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit continues to be rolled out, and should be fully rolled out by 2020.

Tax credits claimants with more than two children will be able to claim Universal Credit from September 2018.

Local Housing Allowance is introduced capping all rents to the lower third of private rents in the area.

Tax credits

Tax credits replaced by Universal Credit for working age.

State pension age

Women’s state pension age to rise to 65 in November 2018. Will raise top 66 for both men and women by 2020.

Living wage and tax

The living wage increases to ÂŁ9 per hour for age 25+ by 2020.

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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

ARE YOU READY FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT?

18 to 21 and claiming Universal Credit?

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Some 18 to 21 year olds claiming Universal Credit are not entitled to help with housing costs.

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If you are a single person with no dependents and no disabilities it will be unlikely that you will be able to claim Housing Benefit or the rent element of Universal Credit to cover your rent.

However, some 18 to 21 year olds can still get help with their rent: • People receiving the rent element of Universal Credit prior to 1 April 2017 will continue to receive help until they move off Universal Credit or cease to claim those Our team of advisors are available offer you support and advice to make sure to housing costs. that you are ready for the changes to your benefits.

• more People who are responsible for a child or young person.

Visit our website or contact us for information www.rooftopgroup.org / 0800 0421 800 vulnerable people.

• Certain

• People unable to live with their parents.

• Those claiming as a couple.

• People who are not subject to all requirements for receiving Universal Credit.

work-related

• People who are in work, subject to ‘minimum earnings’.

• People who have recently left work, subject to minimum earnings (in this case the help is available for a limited period).

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Building Better Opportunities Rooftop, as part of Fusion, a collaboration of local Worcestershire organisations, have been awarded Big Lottery and European funding and offer comprehensive employment support for Wychavon residents called ‘Building Better Opportunities’.

We help people of all ages and abilities to get into employment, build their confidence, learn employability skills, do CVs , cover letters, interview skills to help them move closer towards gaining employment, and also provide support in the work place if needed.

Our dedicated Job Coaches provide every participant with a personalised package of support based on their own individual circumstances and needs.

By recognising and building on their strengths and abilities, participants gain confidence to enter the word of employment, training or volunteering.

We work on a one to one basis to help each client achieve their full potential.

These stories are just a couple of the many successful participants of the BBO scheme.

If you or anyone you know would benefit from the support of a dedicated Job Coach to work with you to build on your own strengths and abilities to gain the confidence and skills to move into work, please get in touch now, we are waiting to hear from you.

To contact the BBO Team telephone 01386 420800 or email bbo@rooftopgroup.org

Kenny’s Story Kenny (not his real name) was referred for RAFT floating housing support in February

by The Prince’s Trust team at Heart of Worcestershire College.

He was at the end of his training and had no employment or further training to go into. He didn’t have any other professional organisations working with him to help him with benefits or housing issues if he had any problems.

He already had rent arrears and really needed help with budgeting and managing his tenancy.

RAFT have helped him with paying off his rent arrears, dealing with his

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landlord and utility suppliers, meeting with training providers and setting up a new bank account.

They also applied to the Rob Kettley Fund through Rooftop and received £125.00 towards a bicycle, helmet and lock, to help Kenny get to interviews, training and support.

In July 2017 Kenny was referred to Building Better Opportunities project for intensive support with looking for training and/or employment. He was given help to identify the types of roles he would be interested in and is now looking at studying computing at University.

Kenny has done volunteering and paid agency work in the past, but has never had regular, sustainable employment.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Brett‘s Story The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It puts people in the lead to improve their lives and communities, often through small local projects. Building Better Opportunities is a National Lottery and ESF funded project designed to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion throughout Worcestershire, this project is proud to tell you the story of Brett Parriss.

Brett joined the BBO program in March having referred himself onto the program after hearing about it through his mother, who had successfully found a job while on BBO. Prior to BBO, Brett had been longterm unemployed and had to move back from Birmingham and into his parents’ home. Despite being quite young, Brett has a lot of positive skills, experience and training for warehouse roles. He has Forklift licenses, has been trained to train the trainer and already had five years’ experience in that environment. Despite this Brett was not receiving interviews and a quick look at his CV told his Job Coach why.

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

Brett was attending his meetings regularly, often struggling with timekeeping, but after getting all the initial paperwork over with, he started to struggle with anxiety. This led to Brett missing or cancelling several meetings. Brett went over six weeks without seeing his Job Coach and the prospect of exiting Brett from the program became very real.

Before mooting this idea, Brett’s Job Coach offered to help Brett find suitable provision to help with his anxiety. Brett turned this offer down, saying he needed to battle through it on his own and would be ok to resume in a couple of weeks, so his job

Coach arranged a meeting for the two of them, at Rooftop. Brett was able to attend this meeting, apologised for missing meetings and resumed work with his Job Coach.

After this, Brett was able to carry on as though nothing had happened. Nick helped Brett improve his CV and Brett had arranged with the Job Centre to go on a refresher course for his Forklift License. In the end, Brett did not need to go on this course as he received an offer of an interview at Evenproducts Ltd, Evesham. After interview, Brett was offered and accepted a full-time Job; Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30 and occasional Saturday mornings.

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Katie and the Fire Three years ago, Katie met our Neighbourhood Officer, Harriet, to get her keys. Harriet gave Katie the usual information pack that every new tenant gets. Leaflets include information on our repairs service, how to pay your rent and information about contents insurance.

They make good draw liners.

Fast forward to the 9 of June - this year.

I meet Harriet in the car park, and we go into the building together. The hall is pretty standard, the walls are magnolia and a dark stainproof carpet.

When we get to the top, Katie is waiting for us in her doorway.

We move through the hallway into an open plan living kitchen area. It has large windows and light pale walls.

There is another woman sitting on the dark leather sofa.

She is glamorous with a large cheerful smile and painted red lips.

She introduces herself as Mum. As they chat my eyes wonder around the room. The dark furniture contrasts against the pale décor. There is a powder blue and pink theme which is echoed in canvasses and ornaments. My eyes stop when I spot a dark hole in the ceiling and I can’t figure out what it is. Now that I look closely, I can see some black smears in the corner. Strange I think in such a clean space.

“Are we ready?” Harriet’s voice brings my focus back.

“Yes, so Katie if you start at the beginning.”

“Well I went to bed early, my ex-boyfriend had been cooking and fell asleep in front of the telly.

He shook me awake shouting “Fire!”

I knew what had happened and why we were coming to interview Katie, but it still feels weighty when she starts to talk about it.

“What time was it?” I ask.

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“Four in the morning. I was really confused. I couldn’t see it was just black.”

“What did you do?”

When she realised what was happening, she ran to her neighbours. Katie lives in a block of flats – she’s on the top floor. She wanted to tell everyone, get them out. She tells me that some of her neighbours have young children and one of the neighbours was pregnant.

She ran from door to door, banging, frantically screaming though letter boxes. One of her neighbours didn’t answer.

“Thought we were messing about.”

Back in the kitchen Katie’s ex-partner battled the fire.

The fire brigade arrived shortly after and thankfully everyone got out safely.

“I couldn’t find them when I got here,” Katie’s mum tells me.

She recalls searching the crowd in the dark, desperately trying to find them.

“I saw some black figures in the ambulance, I didn’t recognise her at all – she was covered in soot.”

She laughs, pulling Katie into a squished hug, “I could just see these eyes peering at me.” It’s clear that Katie and her Mum are really close.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

“I was driving on two wheels,” she laughs, “that’s my baby.”

“So what made you want insurance?” As a housing provider we cover the buildings insurance and sometimes people think that’s enough.

Katie was treated for smoke inhalation but had no other injuries.

“I’m an insurance person,” she says jokily. “I’ve got everything on it, my phone, my jewellery – “

“How much was damaged?”

“your phone?” Katie’s mum asks.

“Everything.” Katie pulls out her phone and shows me a video she took of the flat. The walls and ceiling are scorched.The kitchen’s a mess and there’s a dark material where the cooker used to be.

“Yeah, they’ll replace or fix your phone.”

“You must have been terrified when you got that call.”

I say

Katie tells me she came back to search the rubble for her belongings.

“I just wanted the pictures of my dad.”

He passed away two weeks before.

For the things that are replaceable, Katie remembered that leaflet in the draw.

Thankfully she had listened. Before she put the leaflet in the draw - she got insurance.

“So many people don’t listen to us” Harriet says.

“I dropped my phone-“ “Well get some insurance then!”

We all laugh, but its point proved, isn’t it?

After everything, even Katie’s mum still doesn’t have contents insurance.

Here’s the reality. Because of sickness Katie can’t work.

And because of an accident she lost everything. It’s cost £10,000

Do you have £10,000 just sat in a bank account ready for a rainy day?

No. Nor do I. But after meeting Katie - I have insurance.

Katie holds her hand up and rubs her thumb and fingers together. “They just don’t want to part with the money.”

Home Contents Insurance Rooftop advises all tenants and leaseholders to take out Home Contents Insurance to protect belongings against fire, theft, vandalisation and water damage. Many tenants believe that we automatically insure furniture and belongings for them, but this is not the case. Unfortunately, most people only realise this after the damage has been done.

If you’re thinking about contents insurance but still have some questions, then why not book an appointment with your Neighbourhood Officer. The National Housing Federation in conjunction with Thistle Tenant Risks and Allianz Insurance PLC provide insurance cover, offered in bands of £1,000 starting at £6,000 for tenants aged 60 and over and from £9,000 for all other tenants. The maximum sum insured available is £35,000.

For more information, please contact Thistle Tenant Risks via their website at http://www.thistlemyhome.co.uk or phone them on 0345 450 7288.

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10 reasons

to choose My Home Contents Insurance Scheme Flexible regular Pay-As-You-Go payment options No fuss, quick and easy to apply either through the post or over the telephone No excess (you do not pay the first part of the claim)

Covers lost or stolen keys You do not need to have special door or window locks You do not need to have a bank account

Covers fire, theft, flood, water damage and other household risks Covers damage to internal decorations Covers accidental damage to sanitary fixtures such as toilets and washbasins Covers damage to external glazing for which you are responsible Exclusions & limits apply. A copy of the policy wording is available on request.

Ask your landlord for an application pack or to apply for cover today, call My Home on:

0345 450 7288 email: myhome@thistleinsurance.co.uk or visit www.thistlemyhome.co.uk

The National Housing Federation My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is a product name arranged and administered on behalf of the National Housing Federation by Thistle Tenant Risks a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lloyd’s Broker. Registered in England under No. 00338645 Registered office: 68 Lombard Street London EC3V 9LJ. The National Housing Federation is an Appointed Representative of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.

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T E N A N T

R I S K S

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT Come along and learn how to sign a carol.

Christmas Decorations At Ferry View Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT With the assistance of Evesham Fire Brigade

2pm - 4pm

10am onwards

British Sign Language Christmas Carols!

Dec 5

David Laine Singing Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT £6 non-residents £5 residents Mocktails and snacks.

To book tickets please contact Caroline on 07854717419

British Sign Language Christmas Carols!

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT Come along and learn how to sign a carol.

2pm - 4pm

2pm - 4pm Dec 8 Christmas Decorations at Charles Close

Christmas Decorations at Meade Court

The Hub Christmas Buffet

Charles Close, Fairfield, Evesham, WR11 1HY

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT

Help bring some Christmas cheer to Meade Court

Meade Court, Merstow Place, Evesham, WR11 4AZ

Dec 7

For more information please contact the Health and Wellbeing Team

Dec 8

Dec 11 St Marys Catholic School Broadway Choir The Court, Back Lane, Broadway WR12 7BF The Children of St Marys Catholic School in Broadway bring Christmas Cheer with a selection of Christmas songs.

3pm - 5.30pm

2:00pm – 3pm

9am Onwards

From 12 noon

Ferry View, Evesham, WR11 4BT T Non-residents £6 Residents £5 Coffee and Cake.

To book a ticket please contact Kayleigh Juliff on: 07854717431 1

St Marys Catholic Primary School Carol Singing.

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT Join the Children of St Marys Primary School for an afternoon of Carols.

The children have been leaning to sign carols using BSL and look forward to showing you their new talent.

Followed by refreshments provided by QI Gong group who would love you to join them

Help bring some Christmas cheer to Meade Court

9am Onwards

Elvis Will Enter The Building!

Dec 6

9.30am - 10.30pm

Dec 11 The Hi-Times A three piece band are providing the Christmas Sing-a -long Sherry and mince pies provided Almonry Close, Abbey Road, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 1LX 4pm till 6 pm

Dec 12 Come and see the Christmas Reindeers Yates Court, 95-97 High Street, Evesham WR11 4DN For more information please contact : 01386 40006 From 11am

Dec 12 De Montford School Choir at Charles Close Charles Close, Fairfield, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1HY Come along for a sherry and mince pie

From 10am

Dec 13

Dec 14 An evening of fun for a good cause

Christmas Evesham Walking Football Match Wallace House Community Centre Oat Street, Evesham WR11 4PJ

Followed by mince pies

Rooftop’s Volunteer’s Christmas Party Ecgwin’s Private Members Club 117 High Street, Evesham WR11 4EQ With entertainment.

2:00pm - 3:00pm £2.00

Please call Catherine Benwell if you have not received your invitation on 07854717522

Wear you Christmas Shirts and Socks, hats!

Will Santa be Playing?

Dec 13 Working World Christmas Lunch Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT £6.50 To Book please call Kevin on 07966146781 12:30pm

Dec 19

Glam up for Christmas

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT. Evesham College Beauty Students are coming to do Christmas Nails.

Donations From 10:30am

Dec 14

6pm till 8pm

Forest Flute Choir Dora Matthews House, 16 Bank St, Coleford GL16 8BA An afternoon concert featuring lots of their perennial repertoire.

From 2pm

Dec 20

Dec 21

Christmas Sing Along Seward Close, Cowl Street, Evesham, WR11 4PN Refreshments included

2.30pm till 3.30pm

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Dec 18

A Christmas Carol

Dorothy Terry House, Evesham Rd, Redditch B97 5EN Can Scrooge change his ways in this upbeat production. www.northeastproducers.co.uk For more information call: 07565122411 From 2pm

Dec 22 Christmas fun and games Ferry View Lounge, Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham. WR11 4BT

Refreshments provided 10am till 12 midday

Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BT The Price is right game! Fish and chip’supper provided by Monica’s fish bar followed by Bingo Meal deal: Mini fish, chips, mushy peas or curry sauce and a can of soft drink £5.50 To order please contact Naomi Nobes on 07876839261 All money to be paid before Friday 8 December

5pm till 8pm

Dec 21 Come make Christmas Baubles and Cards with Ruth Ferry View, Boat Lane, Evesham WR11 4BT. Join the knitting group at Ferry View for a glass of sherry and mince pie 11.30am – 12.30pm

23

Seddon Open day and Prize Giving

Brick Kiln Street Activity Day This year we invited staff and pupils from Swan Lane First School in Evesham to an open day at our new development at Brick Kiln Street in Evesham. Although on the day it was raining heavily the children brought a ray of sunshine to the day!

The site contractors, Seddon Construction, showed the children around the development teaching them about being safe around a building site. They were also given different activities to do, with all the pupils being invited to enter a colouring competition.

Several weeks later (after we had all dried out!) we visited the children at school to award the winners with their prizes. This time we weren’t alone, we had a surprise for all the children, we brought Seddons mascot ‘Seddy Teddy’ with us to hand out prizes.

We would like to thank all of the children and staff of Swan Lane School for brightening up a very wet day!

24

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Rooftop Pinboard Defford Defib

This summer we donated ÂŁ600 from the community fund to help the village of Defford to restore the old telephone box and equip it with a defibrillator.

This will hopefully be one of three within the area which will look after the whole village.

Eckington Recreation Cen tre

Eckington Recreat ion Centre was gi ven ÂŁ500 for new play equi pment for toddle rs this year.

All the existing eq uipment in the pl ayground caters for older ch ildren but the new equipment will mean its avai lable to children of all ages!

Seated Yoga

rd o f e l o C 6 1 Cafe Cheque

As a qualified Yoga instructor, seated yoga was an exercise that Boris Worrall could really get involved in!

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Rooftop Pinboard Teddy Bears Picnic Our Neighbourhood Officers like to get involved with their areas, this summer they held a Teddy Bears picnic for the children of Pershore.

St Barnabus Cheque Presentation A donation to St Barnabas C of E First & Middle School from the community fund will go to helping create a new sensory garden.

26

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Dexter Way Fun Day This summer the Residents of Dexter Way in Gloucester helped us tidy and improve their community and we held a fun day to celebrate all their hard work. Thank you to all those who came and helped, by working together, we can make things better!

Silver Sunday 2017 For Silver Sunday, a special day to celebrate the older people of the community and to bring back some of the traditional community spirit, our health and wellbeing team held a Tea Dance at Evesham Town Hall.

Keith Slater sang a mix of 60’s songs from the Beatles to the Beach Boys whilst there were cream teas being served which were kindly donated by Tesco.

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Rooftop Garden Competition 2017 The Winners This year the high quality of entries in the Rooftop Garden Competition made it really difficult for the judges to reach a decision. We have been so incredibly overwhelmed by the time, money and effort that tenants put in to keep their gardens looking lovely.

But after many hours of deliberation we finally agreed on the winners. They were all awarded their prizes at a ceremony held in Yates Court activities room on Tuesday 5 September, and those who couldn’t attend were visited at home by their Neighbourhood Officer for prizes to be presented to them.

We would like to say congratulations to the following winners and runners up in each of the categories.

Best Scheme

1st St Oswald’s - £50 Hayloft voucher 2nd The Court - £25 love to shop vouchers 3rd Meade Court - £15 love to shop vouchers

Fruit and Veg

1st

Mr and Mrs Gallagher - 1 Alder Grove, Evesham - Malvern Show

2nd Mrs Lisle - 27 Hill Close, Westmancote

- Wood Norton afternoon tea

3rd

Sue Harness - 20 Western Hill Road, Beckford - Prize from Golls Nurseries

28

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

Most Improved

1st

Mr and Mrs Key - 42 Woodleigh, Drakes Broughton - Croome Court

2nd Nigel Harris - 4 Derby Court, Gloucester

- £15 Wyevale Vouchers

3rd Mr Holmes - 2 Newlands, Pershore

- Fork and seed and bird feeder

Best Street Western Hill Road – to choose a prize

Baskets and Containers

1st

Marilyn Parker - 26 Orchard Close, Bredon - Bird table and feeders

2nd Sue Harness - 20 Western Hill Road, Beckford

- Witley Court

3rd Mrs Emms - 32 Heathfield Rd, Norton

- £20 Co-op Vouchers

Best Kids Garden Miss Amie Lisle - 27 Hill Close, Westmancote - Cinema tickets for Roses Theatre

This year a new category for the best children’s garden was introduced and we would like to encourage more entrants to this category next year, so if you are parents to young budding gardeners, please do get in touch.

We would also like to encourage more entrants to the best street category. This has been won by the same street for 2 years running because they have no direct competition and whilst their gardens are impressive, we believe that there are several communities which can give them a run for their money. It only takes 3 addresses from one street to enter this category so talk to your neighbours and get them on board.

We will be getting ready for the 2018 Garden competition very soon, so keep an eye out for more information in the new year.

Get out into your garden and show us your green fingers!

Special thanks to Sheila Kettley (tenant board member) and Andy Richardson (tenant gardening guru) for approaching local businesses to donate an array of wonderful prizes. And of course, thank you to the following local businesses for their generosity, without you, we wouldn’t be able to do it.

Best Overall

Hayloft - 2 x £50 vouchers

1st

Malvern Three Counties - Tickets to the Autumn Malvern Show

2nd

3rd

Mrs Wilkes - 2A Mill Avenue - Hamper and £50 voucher Marilyn Parker - 26 Orchard Close, Bredon - £25 Station Gardens Mr and Mrs Fisher - 13 St Lawrence Rd, Evesham - Cream tea, Hillers

Wood Norton - Afternoon tea for 2 Golls Nurseries - prize to be confirmed when letter taken in confirming winner so just leave that generic Croome Court - Entrance tickets for a family Wyevale garden centre - £15 vouchers Witley Court and Gardens - entry tickets CO-OP Evesham - £20 vouchers and a food hamper Roses Theatre - cinema tickets for 4 Station gardens nurseries - £25 voucher Hillers nurseries - cream tea for 2 Countrywide - garden fork Hartwells - Bird Table Toddington Garden Centre - bird seed and bird feeder

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Puzzle Pages Take a break, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy our puzzle pages!

Some puzzles are just for fun, but our prize word search gives you the chance to win a £20 High Street voucher

A

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

As the winner of the last editions prize word search competition you will receive a £20 High Street voucher.

The missing word was Hot.

COMPETITION TERMS Please note that winners will be picked at random from the correct entries by the Communications Panel, and their decision is final.

Closing date for entries is Monday 5 March 2018.

30

SUDOKU

Congratulations to ANGELA PEPPER!

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP

WORDSEARCH N E A S L X J M S K I I N G R

C E K C L Y I D L V W Z P D E

O Q Z C H L R C N R D A Y E T

S O T O Z I E E I K Z N D C N

N E L O R B L B P C M A B E I

R A K G B F G L H P L M O M W

K B S A I O U O Y G I E G B F

J R C H L T G B F I I L S E W

U A J W E F L G M P T E S R E

BLIZZARD Can you find all the words listed in theyou grid? We not, there should BOOTS Can findhope all the words listed in the be one left not, over! The words grid?

Weword hope there should beCHILLY one can be found forwards, backwards, DECEMBER word left over! vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

The words can be found forwards, FOG Once you have found the missing FROST backwards, vertically, horizontally or word let us know and you could FROZEN diagonally. win a £20 High Street Voucher!

HAT

Once you have found the missing word let us know and you could win a £20 high street voucher!

EDITION 90 AUTUMN/WINTER 2017

Y K N K O I W B A K S K L D A

N X C U Z H O O H N O Z Z S T

I A S Z A O A W N J R M Z B H

ICICLES IGLOO BLIZZARD JACKET BOOTS JANUARY CHILLY MITTENS DECEMBER SCARVES FOG SKIING FROST SLEIGHBELLS FROZEN

HAT ICICLES IGLOO JACKET

J I A T T R G J A S F I Q K E

D R B S G P Y R E T A E W S R

D Q G B S E V R A C S H S L K

SLIPPERY SNOWFLAKES JANUARY SWEATER MITTENS TOBOGGAN SCARVES WEATHER SKIING WINTER SLEIGHBELLS

SLIPPERY SNOWFLAKES SWEATER TOBOGGAN WEATHER WINTER 31

Competition entries Use our back page to send in your entries for our competition.

Just fill in the details below and send it to our address on the right of this page.

You can also email your competition entries to comms.webb@rooftopgroup.org Name

www.rooftopgroup.org enquiries@rooftopgroup.org 0800 0421 800 Rooftop Housing Group 70 High Street Evesham WR11 4YD

Address

@Rooftop_Housing

Rooftop Housing Group

Telephone Our head office is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (except on Wednesday when we open at 9.30am).

Email Word search Answer

Emergency repairs and anti-social behaviour can be reported even when we are closed, on 0800 0421 800

CHRISTMAS CLOSING

The Office will be closed from 12.30pm on Friday 22 December and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Keep up to date with all Rooftop news and information on our website at:

If you would like the information in this magazine translated into another language, audio, or larger print please contact your Neighbourhood Officer.

www.rooftopgroup.org.

Visit the websites resident login where you can also pay your rent, check your balance, report repairs and book appointments with your Neighbourhood Officer.

If you would like to make a complaint, please complete the on line form on www.rooftopgroup.org or phone your Neighbourhood Officer and ask for a complaints form.