Spring newsletter

NEWS Photo by our competition winner Erin Walker from Peebles.

Spring edition 2021

If you would like a copy of this document in larger print, or would like to receive the text of the document in a different language, please call 01750 724444

In this edition Information on your rent

Jeśli chcieliby Państwo otrzymać kopię niniejszego dokumentu w formacie dużym drukiem lub w innym języku, prosimy zadzwonić pod numer 01750 724444

Service updates

Getting involved

‫ فرنجو االتصال‬،‫ أو كنت ترغب يف تلقّي نص الوثيقة بلغة مختلفة‬،‫إذا كنت تريد نسخ ًة من هذه الوثيقة بخط طباعة أكرب‬ 01750 724444 ‫بالرقم‬

Spring activities

www.sbha.org.uk

www.sbto.org.uk

p.3

p.4-6 p.8-9 p.12

Welcome!

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter! Hopefully, Spring brings warmer weather and new beginnings - much needed after such a bleak year, with the losses so many have experienced of loved ones, jobs, freedoms and income. Make sure you are getting all the financial support and benefits you are eligible for SBHA’s Financial Inclusion Service can help (see p.7).

SBTO would like to say thank you to Ralph Nichol who has stepped down as SBTO Chair. He is much missed by all of us. SBTO have appointed Dominic Brookes and Tracey Glover as Co-Chairs.

IN THIS EDITION our non-essential services. You will find out more about some of our plans in this edition of the newsletter.

Julia Mulloy, Chief Executive

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Tenants' newsletter, and thank you once again for your ongoing support as we mark a year since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, which has had such a huge impact on all of our lives.

Spring conveys hope for the future, including the rollout of the national Covid vaccine There is light at the end of the programme (see p.10 - SBTO and tunnel; the national vaccination Board member, Gordon programme brings us closer to Saunders). a return to some normality over SBTO benefits from a significant the coming months and we are budget from SBHA for all aspects preparing to make the of Tenant engagement. Tenants’ necessary adjustments, and to voices make all the difference in ensure we continue to operate helping to improve SBHA’s safely and provide quality services and standards - there services. As national are many different ways you can restrictions ease, although our get involved. For more offices currently remain closed, information, please contact we plan to re-introduce some of Catherine Beattie on 01750 724444.

There has been much hard work and investment into getting SBTO meetings online. If travelling to meetings was preventing you getting involved, why not contribute from the comfort of your home - you will be provided with plenty of support to help you get online.

As things start to return to some kind of normality for SBHA services and life in general, take care and stay safe.

Of course, this is still subject to some uncertainty, but we are committed to keeping you informed and providing you with as much information as we can. We very much appreciate your patience. As ever, at every stage the safety of Tenants and Teams is our primary concern.

As restrictions begin to ease further, even if you have received one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, please act responsibly when out and about and remember the FACTS advice: Face coverings in enclosed spaces Avoid crowded places Clean hands and surfaces regularly Two metre distancing Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

Welcome to new Tenants

In our last newsletter, we were pleased to be able to report that we had made good progress on our new-build homes in Peebles, Kelso and Oxton.

Our four 3-bed family homes at Heriotfield in Oxton are almost complete, and we would like to extend a very warm welcome to the families who will soon be settling into their new homes.

Tracey Glover and Dominic Brookes, SBTO Chairs, on behalf of the Editorial Panel We expect to complete our homes in Glensax, Peebles in 2

Family homes nearing completion

mid-June and Tweed Court, Kelso, at the end of July. We will be advertising these homes from late Spring.

YOUR RENT Thank you to everyone who took part in our rent consultation exercise in January, providing your feedback on the rent you pay - we received over 300 responses.

You told us: 83% of you told us that you felt the proposed rent increase was 'about right' 81% of you feel that your rent is affordable 75% of you feel that your rent is good value for money

We recognise the difficulties that many people have faced during the current pandemic.

Our original Business Plan assumed a rent increase of 3% from this April, but following your feedback, and to ensure that rent remains affordable, we have applied a lower-level rent increase of 1.7% as of the 5th April. You will have received written notification of what your new rent level now is.

Rents are SBHA’s source of income and therefore substantial cuts to investment in services would be required without this small increase.

With it, we will continue to invest in homes, communities and services.

Carly Stewart, Director of Finance

See below for our investment highlights for the coming year.

Remember, if you are experiencing difficulties our dedicated Financial Inclusion Team is on hand - find out more about how they can help you on page 7.

£10m investment in homes and communities £2.4m on measures inc. fire doors, fire alarms etc. to help keep you safe

£5.9m on planned upgrades in Tenants' homes

£605k for Great Places fund, covering gutter cleaning, bin stores, communal doors

£350k on maintaining roads and footpaths

Rent survey winners

£735k on affordable warmth to make it easier for Tenants to heat their homes

Everyone who took part in our rent survey was entered into a draw to win an £100 voucher. Congratulations to our lucky winners, Mr and Mrs Logan of Romanno Bridge. Thank you to everyone who took part - your input is vital to SBHA's decision-making process.

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SERVICE UPDATES

Keeping you safe Meet the Team - Q&A

Throughout lockdown, we’re continuing to deliver essential services. Darren Hulme (pictured right) is one of our

Factoring Assistant Ian Wilson shows off our new hi-vis vests, designed to remind people of the need to continue to practice social distancing, quickly and easily.

electricians, currently working to deliver our emergency repairs service.

Here, he tells us a bit about how the job has changed.

"It’s certainly different! At the moment, we’re dealing with emergencies only, and we travel in vans alone wherever possible. Like everyone else, I’m missing the interaction with other people, but I do get to meet people when I go out to do a job."

"When I'm working with PPE, things take a bit longer and can be a bit uncomfortable, but of course it’s worth it to make sure that everybody stays safe. And people are pretty understanding about it – they appreciate that we’re following guidelines and that it needs to be done."

"I'd like to reassure Tenants that, if you have an emergency repair, please don’t put off getting in touch with us. We’ve got safety measures in place to look after you when we come to your home. Also, thanks to everyone who is helping us to keep them safe by keeping to guidelines. It’s easy to forget social distancing and so on when you’re in your own home, but people are being really careful, and that’s great."

Your Repairs Service We obviously have a backlog of non-emergency repairs to address, and we are currently prioritising these according to the level of urgency and the needs of the individual household.

We plan to re-introduce our non-emergency repairs service from the 26th April. This service had previously been suspended to comply with national Covid-19 restrictions.

This may mean that you will have a longer waiting time, however please be assured that we will be in contact with you as soon as a slot becomes available to complete your repair.

From the 26th April you can report a non-emergency repair 4

using the Report-a-Repair form on the SBHA website www.sbha.org.uk - or by calling 01750 724444.

Thank you for your patience.

IF YOUR REPAIR IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 0800 0193 222.

IF YOU SMELL GAS OR SUSPECT A GAS LEAK, PLEASE CALL 0800 111 999 IMMEDIATELY.

SERVICE UPDATES

Working with you To ensure your safety

Keeping you safe in your homes and neighbourhoods is a top priority for SBHA, so we have developed a new Tenant Health and Safety Handbook to give you information about the actions SBHA will take to ensure your home is a safe place to live, and how you can help.

Development of this handbook took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health and safety awareness has been heightened globally and it has been shown that when people work together, better health and safety outcomes can be achieved. We have included lots of hints and advice on general home safety we hope you find these useful.

Look out for further info and campaigns on our online channels in the weeks and months to come. For a paper copy of the manual, call 01750 724444, or click on the image to the left for a digital version.

Essential gas safety checks

Essential gas checks and servicing, delivered by gas engineers like Ross, pictured right, have continued throughout lockdown as an essential service to keep Tenants safe.

Sarah Mackie, Head of Assets and Investment, explains:

"All gas appliances must be checked each year by law, to ensure that they remain in good working order. This is a safety issue, but also to make sure that you have heating and hot water and that your system is running efficiently."

"Our heating contractor, PH Jones, will send you a letter with an appointment. If it’s not convenient, just give us a call and reschedule. Provided we’ve got your up-to-date contact details, you will receive a text the day before your appointment, and then again on the day to let you know that the engineer is on his way. Your service should take 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of system.

We do understand that at the moment people might be reluctant to have us in their

homes. Please be assured that we will look after you with our safe working practices. It’s vital that we’re able to get access to carry out this check. If you're unsure or would like more information, please call us on 01750 724444, or email enquiries@sbha.org.uk. Thank you very much for your help!"

Neighbourhood improvements

As we've all been spending so much more time at home, the safety and security of our homes has never been more important. As part of our continued investment in neighbourhoods, we recently installed upgraded doors at 14 blocks of flats in the Silverbuthall, Wellfield and Mayfield areas of Hawick.

We would like to thank Tenants and residents for their patience and co-operation as the safety improvements to these homes were carried out. One Tenant commented: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the new doors. They look lovely and modern, and now I feel so much safer with the new intercom system.”

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SERVICE UPDATES

Planned maintenance and upgrades How we will deliver upgrades to your home Due to lockdown, we had to halt our Planned Maintenance Programme (PMP) for a second time in January.

We know that if you were expecting planned upgrades to your home, for example a new

kitchen, bathroom, windows or doors, this will have been extremely frustrating. We would like to reassure you that we are now working hard on planning how we will deliver these upgrades safely as retrictions ease.

Location Works

due Gala North & Earlston/ Newtown St Boswells 2020-22 Kelso & Hawick Burnfoot 2021-23

We plan to re-start our Planned Maintenance Programme from 26th April 2021. Our commitment to you is to keep you informed as far as we can; to communicate clearly with you on what you can expect and when, as far as we are able.

Our Programme

From the 26th April, we will begin rolling out our PMP again.

Our immediate focus is on those areas and homes which were due to have work carried out in the last financial year. These are mainly in Newtown St Boswells, Earlston and Galashiels North. If you were due to have work carried out which was postponed due to lockdown, we have been or will soon be in touch with you to let you know when your work is planned for.

Hawick Central / West Catching up will take some time. Due to the need for social End & Jedburgh 2023/24 distancing and PPE, works are taking longer than normal.

Because of the level of works still to be completed for last year Gala Central & Melrose 2024/25 this is impacting on the level of new works we can deliver in this financial year. Our original plan was to complete all works Selkirk & Hawick 2025/26 due in Hawick Burnfoot and Kelso in 2021-22, however we now anticipate starting works in these areas from September; over Peebles & Gala Langlee 2026/27 the Summer we will be getting in touch with people who will be having these works carried out to give them plenty of notice.

Whenever your work is due to take place, we will get in touch with you as far in advance as possible. Schedules are subject to change if further lockdown restrictions come into force.

Meet our Home Investment Co-ordinator Here's a message from David Illius, Co-ordinator of the Team responsible for delivering our planned works.

"Thank you very much for your patience. We know the difference that these upgrades make, how much people look forward to them, and we remain committed to investing in homes.

We will carry out these works with appropriate safety measures in place and this may mean that some work may take longer but please be assured that this for the safety of you and our Teams. Please bear with us. We're committed to keeping in touch with you throughout this process, so it's really important that the contact details we have for you are up-to-date. Thank you for your help!"

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Have we got your details?

Don't forget to keep your contact details up-to-date.

Check and amend your details any time using the MySBHA App Call 01750 724444 or email enquiries@sbha.org.uk

BENEFITS UPDATE

How we can help Support with money

Retiring can be a major upheaval, not least for your finances. The benefits that you may be entitled to will change, and this can feel like a minefield.

SBHA's Welfare Benefits Officer Debbie Mzee says: "If you’ve reached pension age, there may be some benefits that you’re entitled to claim, that you’re not aware of. Get in touch with us – we can advise. We can also help you with the application, particularly if you’re struggling with the online aspect."

Each year, millions of pounds worth of benefits go unclaimed.

You can find out more about some of the benefits you may be entitled to here - https:// www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/ information-advice/money-matters/benefits/

Do you receive Universal Credit?

Have you informed the Department of Work and Pensions about your new rent amount?

You need to do this to ensure that you're receiving the right amount of UC to cover your rent. You can do this via your online journal.

You can also contact Debbie for an informal chat. Call 01750 724444 to make an appointment.

It’s such a relief. The Team at SBHA were lovely. They took the time to explain everything – they were just really, really helpful.

Mrs Scott, Peebles

Don't forget, if you've been receiving Discretionary Housing Payment you need to reapply for this.

To reapply, or if you haven't applied before and want to find out if you are eligible for this and other benefits, go to https://www.scotborders. gov.uk/info/20000/benefits_ and_grants

Help for parents and carers

Are you aware of all the benefits you may be able to claim? Check your entitlement at www.mygov.scot/benefits or call 01750 724444 to make an appointment with our Financial Inclusion Team.

Best Start Grant

Three separate payments, payable at different stages of your child's life.

Best Start Foods

Best Start Foods is a prepaid card that you can use to buy healthy foods for children aged under 3.

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Scottish Child Payment

This is a weekly payment of £10 towards the cost of supporting your family that you can get for every child you look after who's under 6.

GETTING INVOLVED

Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation Future plans

What a year it has been for Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation - there have been plenty of challenges, but with the support of SBHA's Tenant Engagement and Communication Team we have adapted and are moving forward, continuing to represent the views of Tenants.

What we are doing: 1) We're GOING DIGITAL - We're communicating on Teams and holding regular meetings to ensure the links between SBHA and SBTO are maintained. If attending meetings in person was a barrier for Tenants in the past, we hope that this new way of working means that more people can get involved.

2) We're hiring - An exciting opportunity has arisen within SBHA for a Tenant and Community Engagement Facilitator and we are delighted to be working with SBHA to recruit this role. Watch out for the advert on SBHA's and SBTO's websites.

3) Summer Student internship - Each year we carry out a Scrutiny Project looking at an area of SBHA's service. Once again this year, we will be recruiting a summer student intern to support the delivery of this project - providing a great opportunity for a student to gain work experience working alongside Tenants. We'll also need help from Tenants to assist in carrying out surveys.

4) Training - SBTO members are encouraged to participate in various training sessions throughout the year held both internally and through TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) Scotland. Some of these are available to Tenants working with SBTO to deliver specific tasks - a great opportunity to build your own skillset.

Want to get involved? Then please get in touch. We're always on the lookout for new SBTO members.

Dominic & Tracey, Co-Chairs, SBTO

Helping you to get involved

Did you know, as a Tenant living in Scotland, you have the right to participate in the decisions that your landlord makes? SBHA offers a variety of different ways for you to get involved at times and in ways that suit you.

Currently, SBTO and SBHA are working in partnership to review the Tenant and Community Engagement Strategy, which will set out our plans for engagement over the next three years. We were fortunate to have recently welcomed Lesley Baird from TPAS Scotland, who facilitated a session with us to help us start this work.

As this is being developed, there will be opportunities for you to have your say and get involved in shaping Tenant engagement. In the meantime, if you have any ideas about participation or if you would like to be involved, please get in touch with Corporate Manager, Catherine Beattie, on 01750 724444, or email communications@sbha.org.uk.

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GETTING INVOLVED

Thank you for your help Developing our new Ageing Well Strategy

We'd like to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who took the time to take part in our recent survey to help us develop our new Ageing Well (Older People's) Strategy.

We recognise that your housing needs may change in the future. This Strategy is about helping us to plan how we can better meet the needs of residents and customers, creating great homes and services for people throughout their lives.

Your feedback is helping to shape decisions on how we will do this.

people continue to live independently in their homes for longer through adaptations and assistive technology. All themes you told us were important to you.

Some of the themes we are considering as part of the Strategy are improving housing options and how we can help

We are currently finalising our plans for the next five years and this will be available to view on our website in May.

..We did

A Tenant told us that she was having difficulties finding on our website who her Neighbourhood Housing Officer was.

We appreciate this feedback and have now improved this information on our website, so that if you live in the larger towns of Hawick and Galashiels, which are covered by several officers, you can find out who your designated Neighbourhood Housing Officer is.

Have you go t

You said..

We look forward to bringing you highlights of our activities as these progress.

Thank you for helping us to shape our plans for homes and services fit for the future.

n g ers? i f en e gr

The SBTO Gardening Competition will return this Summer. Now's the time to get growing so you can showcase your garden at its very best.

There are vouchers to be won, plus a chance to show the Borders what you can do! Watch this space for more details.

See something that's not right?

Please let us know - we will do our very best to make improvements.

Your feedback makes a difference.

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ACTS OF KINDNESS

Thank you to our key workers Gordon gets his Covid vaccine

With the roll-out of Covid vaccines now well underway, it feels as though there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

SBTO member Gordon Saunders received his first vaccination at the Queens Leisure Centre in Galashiels recently, and wants to encourage others to get theirs when their turn comes.

He says: "This is not just something we must do to protect ourselves. It is something we have to do to protect each other."

"Thanks to the NHS and all key workers for the amazing work that they are doing. And to everyone for doing their bit during these exceptional times."

Lockdown heroes - how you've made a difference

Over the last year, we asked you to tell us about some of the ways in which the kind acts of others have been helping you get through these uncertain times. We heard some really heartwarming stories of people going out of their way to help others and to just make things a little bit easier. Here are just a few of the stories we heard:

Thank you to my friend Audrey who has supported me throughout lockdown by calling me every day and helping with shopping and post.

Thank you to Jeanie for holding (socially distanced) coffee mornings at Rutherford Square.

She does all her own baking too!

Thank you to my neighbour Jane for being my rock and helping me throughout lockdown.

She is one amazing human being.

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SUPPORT FOR YOU

The impact and experience of the Covid pandemic has been difficult for us all and the importance of looking after our mental health and wellbeing has been highlighted. If you are experiencing difficulties, please reach out to get the support you need.

We are grateful to all our partners who have taken the time to provide a series of Bitesize sessions for our Team over recent months to highlight the services they provide. This has equipped our Team to help you source the support you may need, so if you are unsure who to contact for support, please get in touch with us.

The Food Train helps people with shopping for essential food supplies. If you're having trouble getting out and about, you can contact the local branch on 01896 751750, or email scotborders@thefoodtrain.co.uk.

Home is not a haven for everyone. During lockdown, domestic abuse instances increased, and those suffering from domestic abuse have found it more difficult to access help.

Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support (DAAS) wants you to know that there is help available.

Contact them on 01835 825 024, or email daas@scotborders.gov.uk.

During lockdown, not being able to spend time with others or to take part in activities that would normally help, alongside extra anxiety have all contributed to an increase in people reporting suicidal thoughts.

You can help by being suicide ALERT: - Ask if you think someone may be thinking about suicide.

- Listen carefully to what the person is saying.

- Encourage them to get help.

- Right now – contact the emergency services if you think someone has immediate suicide plans and the means to carry them out.

- Talk to someone.

For more information visit NHS Borders Wellbeing Point: www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/ wellbeingpoint.

Our partners

Working to support you

Are you worried about a young person? Unsure where to turn? See below for contact details for some organisations who may be able to help.

Childline Support for children and young people.

Call 0800 1111, or go to childline.org.uk.

Hope Again Support for young people when someone dies.

Call 0808 808 1677, or go to hopeagain.org.uk.

Young Stonewall Information and support for all young LBTQ+ people.

Call 0800 050 2020, or go to youngstonewall.org.uk.

Anxiety UK Advice and support for people living with anxiety.

Call 03444 775 774, text 07537 416 905 or go to anxietyuk.org.uk.

NHS Go NHS app with confidential health advice and support for 16-25 year olds.

If you're worried about someone nhsgo.uk or you yourself need to talk, contact the Samaritans anytime.

Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

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Activities page Across

Down

2. Dutch Spring flower 3. Fast moving air 4. Rain protection 7. A season 9. Yellow Spring flower 11. Appears after a rain 15. Spring bird 14. Spring month 17. Small formations of water 18. _____ savings time

1.

3.

5.

6.

8.

Winged animals Temperature in spring Spring month First month of Summer?

Game played with a bat and ball 10. April showers bring May _______ 12. Type of weather 13. Spring month 16. The beginning of flowers

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to find a photo for the front cover of this newsletter. Erin Walker from Peebles is our winner. Look out for some of our other entries on our Facebook page!

Did you find all the daffodils scattered through the newsletter?

How many did you find?

Make your own play-dough!

1. Mix 8 tbsp plain flour and 2 tbsp table salt in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl mix together 60ml warm, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and a few drops of food colouring.

3. Pour the coloured water into the flour mix and bring together with a spoon.

Try growing some seeds in a jar!

Clean jar Try this with any dried peas or beans, like butter or borlotti beans. You could also try growing some cress seeds on damp kitchen roll on a saucer!

Cotton wool or kitchen roll soaked in water

4. Knead together on a floured surface for a few minutes to form a smooth, pliable dough.

Talk to us!

If you wish to see anything covered in future newsletters, want to leave some feedback on this newsletter, or are interested in learning more about SBTO and how you can get involved, please contact Catherine Beattie, Corporate Manager, on 01750 724444.

And remember - we're going digital, but if you would like to continue receiving paper copies of our newsletters, just let us know.

Registered as a Scottish Charity - No. SC030751

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