Queens Cross HA

Focus gala day success Autumn 2012

Queens Cross Housing Association magazine

see the pictures on page 3

welfare reform

how benefit changes will affect you Page 9

our Agm

tenant involvement takes a leap forward Pages 10-11

welcome

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Contents welcome 3 4 5 7 8 9

“

i’ve been overwhelmed by the way our Community involvement group members have taken to their role in the past year

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With welfare reform on the horizon, it’s important to be informed about how the changes to the benefits system may affect you.

Our feature on page 9 offers a guide to changes already happening and those expected next year.

The photographs of the Gala Day show what a great day out was had by all. Thank you to the staff, tenants, residents and partner organisations who volunteered their time for Queens Cross families.

Finally, it was good to meet Thomas Hart, the winner of our magazine name competition.

Congratulations, Thomas, and the very best of luck with your photography course.

Shona Stephen Chief Executive

Cathy Tracey, 90 ..... years young

Complaints roundup org

e’s

Ro

ad

Your new tenant representatives

‘adapting under-used spaces’

What's next

St.

Welcome to Focus magazine. Once again, it’s an issue full of news, information and advice that we hope you find entertaining and helpful.

We celebrated our best in blooms at the annual Environmental Competition awards at a ceremony in Woodside Halls on 10 September. Gardens, planters, back courts and window boxes – what a difference it makes to our lives when friends and neighbours take the time to make the most of their environment. Thank you to everyone who makes a difference.

We celebrated our tenants’ best in blooms at the annual Environmental Competition awards held in Woodside Halls on 10 September. I’ve been overwhelmed by the way our Community Involvement Group members have taken to their role in the past year. We have such great local talent and, by working together, we’ll make all four of our neighbourhoods the best they can be. Our new and existing members are full of energy and, with our Action Plans in place, I’m looking forward to another year of great progress. Find out who represents your area on pages 10 and 11.

10-11

Gala Day Success

Ge

to our new look tenant magazine

Woodside Going Forward

We have already demonstrated our commitment to bringing improvements by: • Installing additional CCTV cameras to improve safety and security.

• Fitting new signage to give a fresh appearance to the deck access blocks at the entrances, stairs and decks so visitors can find their way more easily.

• Establishing growing spaces with local partner organisations, helped by Council funding of over £25,000.

• Refurbishing under used space at 65 Cedar Street, allowing the Association to deliver services such as welfare rights, money and debt advice to local residents.

• Improved repairs service from our new maintenance contractor.

Performance Stats

Transforming the Woodside area is a huge and costly task and the Association is investigating how it can meet some of these aspirations and who it can work with. We are investing to ensure all our homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard but we are committed to deliver more. The Association is looking to see how much money can be raised, where and how we can attract grant support for works, and which other organisations might contribute to this project.

Leaflet Design:

Award for Woodside Youth Project

Progress at Woodside

Neighbourhood News

The ‘Options Appraisal of Woodside’ has explored the ambitions of residents for their homes and their future. Through a series of consultation exercises residents told us how they would like to see the area transformed into a desirable, high quality, vibrant and sustainable community that draws people in and makes them want to stay.

The Woodside Community Involvement Group and the consultation have helped us to understand the priority issues to explore.

The Association will consult further with local residents and organisations as funding is identified and ideas develop into proposals.

16-18

QCHA is already committed to major investment in the Woodside area and will spend £17million between now and 2016 on works to improve the heating, insulation and ventilation at the deck access flats, and to improve the thermal insulation of the multi storey blocks at Cedar.

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1

Green Space

Feeling Puzzled

Guide to benefits changes

Shine the Light

staff Changes • Craig Hanson, Property Investment Officer • Farah Traquair, Administration Assistant • Shameen Sultan, Relief Housing Support Worker • Adrienne Coyne, Detached Youth Worker • Moria Cordiner, Customer Services Assistant

19 20

Over the past weeks we welcomed the following staff to the Association:

• Isabella Wiseman, Receptionist/ Administration Assistant • Denise Love, Finance Offi cer.

best wishes

Our best wishes go to Sophia Skinner, Evening Receptionist, who left the Association to take up a new post.

Correction Focus magazine would like to apologise to Glasgow City Councillor Pauline Ann McKeever, Scottish Labour

12 13

Party. In our summer issue we incorrectly listed Councillor McKeever as a member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

See for page 7 t of a full lis s. lor council

getting in touch Main Office: 45 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BE Tel: 0141 945 3003 The Courtyard, 2 Westercommon Drive, Glasgow, G20 5PG Tel: 0141 336 3444 Email: contactus@qcha.org.uk Website: www.qcha.org.uk

QC Factoring, Suite 12 – Firhill Business Ctr, 74 – 76 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BA Tel: 0141 561 1105 Email: info@qcgroup.co.uk Web: www.qcfactoring.co.uk

tenants

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gala day success!

We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. What a great day we had at the Association’s annual Gala Day on Saturday 15 September.

The rain stayed away and the crowds came in droves to enjoy four hours of fun, games, fair rides, stalls, stilt walker, music and a whole host of local talent.

Thank you to everyone.

We hope you had a great time!

News

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Cathy tracey – 90 years young There was a big party on 15th September in Dundasvale Residents Hall when 60 friends and family members came from across the UK to celebrate Association tenant, Cathy Tracey’s, 90th birthday. With 6 children, their grand children, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren surrounding her, Cathy had a great time looking back on her life.

Raising a family on her own Sadly, Cathy was time but I was a very widowed at the young independent person age of 35 and says of and I’m still the same. the years that followed: We were all brought “It was a struggle. I was up in my family to be told I was too young for independent.” a widow’s pension and Cathy brought her I was on my own with family up in a house on six children.

Dobbie’s Loan where “I’d had my first boy at she lived for 23 years.

Rottenrow Maternity When her family grew Hospital and something up and had families of just clicked for me their own, she moved when I was there. I to Dundasvale Court applied for a job and where she’s been living ended up working there for 21 years. for nearly 30 years as an Auxiliary Nurse and just loved everything about it. It suited me It was a struggle. I and I loved the babies. was told I was too It was like a home from you ng for a widow’s home.” pen sion and I was “I often wonder how on my own with six I did cope at the

Early years Born Cathy Dawson in Cowcaddens area of Glasgow in 1922, Cathy was baptised in St. Aloysius Church on Garnethill and has stayed in the same area of the city all her life.

Her father worked on the railway, her mother stayed at home looking after the large family.

Cathy met her husband when he was in the Cameron Highlanders.

Introduced by her sister, they married in 1939 when she was only 17. Cathy remembers the Glasgow of the 1930s: “It was rough then. People were poorer - they didn’t have the same things as we do today. We live in luxury now.”

A changing city Rationing and raising her young family are Cathy’s clearest memories of living in the city during the Second World War. She lived in Townhead at the time and remembers the air raids and blackouts well.

Having lived for so long in one city however Cathy has seen many changes happen around her: “On the bad side, drugs have really got a hold now but on the good side life has got better for lots of people. I’ve got a pension and we get free transport and days out.

“

r birthday Cathy celebrated he r close family with members of he grandchildren. at gre including great,

”

“I’ve lost four close members of my family in the past few years and it has been hard but you have to keep going.”

Her eyesight needs regular check-ups at Gartnaval Hospital which means she can’t enjoy the same hobbies of reading and knitting as she used to. But she’s still got a lust for life, and enjoys the outings and activities organised by the Dundasvale Residents Association.

All in all a life full of change, fierce independence and coping with what comes your way. A life well worth celebrating.

children.

the world in 1922 Cathy was born on 13th September 1922 and shares her birthday year with: • Telly Savalas • Patrick Macnee • Denis Norden • Kathryn Grayson

• Tommy Cooper • Jack Kerouac • Kingsley Amis • Judy Garland

• Philip Larkin • Dr Christiaan Barnard • Veronica Lake

• Charles M. Schulz • Ava Gardner • Stan Lee

1922 was the year of: • The fi rst successful insulin treatment of diabetes.

• Ulysses, by James Joyce, published in Paris • The movie, Nosferatu, released.

• The British Broadcasting entrance to Pharaoh Agency (BBC) is Tutankhamun’s tomb. formed.

• The Conservative • Benito Mussolini Party win the General becomes Prime Election.

Minister of Italy.

• The British Empire • Howard Carter and covers a quarter of the his team find the world.

News

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Promoting how did we perform? Noise Control Informing our tenants, customers and other stakeholders about how well we’re doing against targets set by the Board is a regular feature in our magazine. This information enables our stakeholders to hold us to account.

Glasgow City Council’s Noise Service was set up in 2005 to enforce new powers given to local authorities with the creation of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

The chart below illustrates our performance, for the period April 2012- June 2012, against some of the key areas that are important to our tenants.

It’s important to re-let empty properties as quickly as possible as this minimises rent loss to the Association. It is equally important that the quality of our homes meet our minimum lettable standard. A number of empty properties required extensive repair work, taking time to complete, which had an impact on us achieving our target. We have a programme to carry out major works to our properties, which should minimise the number of properties requiring extensive works when they become available to let.

We did not receive all rent money due for the period reported, partly due to when we receive Housing Benefit. We are working hard to reduce arrears by working closely with tenants and liaising with Housing Benefit.

We provide services and advice to help and support tenants claiming benefits as well Gas Servicing (%)

as money and debt advice services. Please contact our reception on 945 3003 to make an appointment with our specialist team.

We understand how important it is that we deliver a reliable repairs service to our tenants and residents. We are pleased to report that we have exceeded our targets for completing routine repairs within 5 working days and urgent repairs within 2 working days. Unfortunately we failed to complete all emergency repairs within our target of 4 hours. To ensure our performance improves, all emergency repairs will be handled by our new contractor P & D Scotland (Ltd) which should result in improved services.

Routine Urgent Emergency Repairs(%) Repairs(%) Repairs(%)

Unpaid Rent(%)

Average time to relet vacant Properties

Target

100

98

97

100

3.5

14

April - June Performance

100

98.63

98.72

83.4

4.77

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Ancroft street – modern homes in the best tenement tradition There’s been a fast turnaround on the £1.7m redevelopment of red sandstone tenement flats on Ancroft Street and Nansen Street.

The first of the 44 new homes – 28 flats for social rent and 16 affordable flats for sale - are expected to be ready in January 2013. Enquiries for the first 8 flats for sale are being taken now with prices from £90,000.

This once very desirable area, just off Garscube Road, had fallen on hard times in recent years with the properties being boarded up in

preparation for demolition.

However the Association put together a rescue package with grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Innovation & Investment Fund.

A new generation of tenement residents will soon breathe life into the area with tenants and home owners enjoying a highly modern home in a classic Glasgow tenement. The Association will also improve the common back court areas to provide a green and welcoming outlook.

All of the 1/2 bedroom fl ats will have

The Noise Service works 7 nights a week and responds to complaints of noise from one domestic dwelling which affects another (or others). Noise complaints can be made by residents of Glasgow on 0141 287 6688.

Following a visit, if it’s discovered that the noise is excessive, a warning notice can be issued to the noise maker. If the neighbour does not then reduce the noise to an acceptable level, a £100 fixed penalty notice can be served.

In the event a fixed penalty is not paid, the case will be referred to the Procurator Fiscal (maximum fine £1,000) and the noise-making equipment can be removed from the offender’s home if appropriate.

To make a noise complaint or find out more, the GCSS Noise Service can be contacted on 0141 287 6688. Visit www.saferglasgow.com to find out more.

Facts and Figures Year 2010 / 2011 • 2,369 homes visited • 251 verbal warnings issued • 377 warning notices issued

www.saferglasgow.com .com

open plan living and dining areas, fully fitted modern kitchens, double glazing and video door entry system.

Shona Stephen, Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted with the speed of progress on the properties.

It means that we’re able to provide even more desperately needed affordable homes and that a small corner of the city will retain its traditional character and heritage.”

Interested in buying a property on Ancroft Street?

To make an enquiry about owning a property on Ancroft Street, contact Queens Cross Housing Association at 45 Firhill Road by telephone on 0141 945 3003 or by emailing the Sales Team on salesteam@qcha.org.uk

The new homes in Ancroft Street have views across the city.

tenants

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Cooking by the book

Our ‘name the magazine’ competition winner is announced Congratulations Thomas Hart, who won our competition to find a name for this magazine. The winning title is Focus (see our front cover).

Thomas is a Queens Cross Housing Association tenant. He’s lived in a flat in the Cedar multistoreys for four years and has just started a City of Glasgow College HND in photography.

Asked where he got the idea for the name, Thomas said: “It was a good opportunity to put together some ideas and the name seemed right for the organisation as tenants are its focus.”

Chief Executive, Shona Stephen, presented Thomas with his prize of a gift voucher for £50.

Thank you to everyone who sent in an entry for the competition. Unfortunately we could only pick one winner!

Ruby (standing) presents Callum McArthur, Margaret Milne, Jane Mackenzie, Ina Clark and Scott Walker with their Elementary Food Hygiene Course.

Courtyard community centre cook, Ruby Bradley, congratulated her Association students on receiving their Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate this September.

A very big ‘thank You’

The course on food hygiene was run by Ruby for Association staff who prepare food for residents or tenants. It covered standards of hygiene, food preparation areas, cleaning and food legislation.

The Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate

I’m Hina Tokeer and I’m currently studying for an MSc in Public Policy and Management at the University of Glasgow.

is awarded by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). REHIS is an independent Scottish charity whose main objective is to promote the advancement of environmental health.

Congratulations to everyone who passed the course. They are: Linda Faichnie Jane McKenzie Morag O’Hare Pauline Donnachie Scott Walker Shamee Sultan Margaret Milne Katrina Tarres Ann O’Hagan

Ruth McCrae Kim Land Jeff Cullen Margaret Glendinning Ina Clark Callum McArthur Allan Argue

To find out more about REHIS courses, visit: www.rehis.com

As part of my degree I was research about employability given the opportunity to do for the Association and help a placement for one month them in their goal to bridge the with an organization and I gap between unemployment chose Queens Cross Housing and employment among local Association. young people.

I’ve been fortunate enough to I was really moved by the work with the Association’s initiatives that Queens Community Development Cross has developed in the Team. Patricia, Richard, Helen, Westercommon area of the Angela, Tommy and Scott city. The summer programmes have been amazing colleagues bring young people together as well a source of constant by engaging them in healthy information. As this was my activities. That’s really first ever experience of living inspirational. I and studying outside Pakistan, I was also able to learn a lot about western culture through the placement.

Queens Cross is working in an area where it can make a big difference to the lives of many people and there’s no doubt in my mind that the Association’s behind a lot of positive changes in the area.

All the Queens Cross initiatives, from the Getting to Know You survey to the summer youth clubs reflect how concerned the organization is about Hina (right) thanks Patricia Urquhart, its tenants. I was fortunate community development, for her support enough to do a little during her placement

plan to take this amazing experience back with me to Pakistan and start a youth club there and hope I can do something similar!

Queens Cross is a wonderful place to work and I’m going to miss everything about it, from Richard teasing Tommy, to having long discussions with Angela and particularly the inspirational talks that I had with Scott. Thank you, Patricia, for your amazing guidance!

I really want to thank everyone at Queens Cross for giving me this wonderful experience which I will surely cherish for a long time.

Hina Tokeer

tenants

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woodside Youth Project Your local wins community councillors champions award Here is the list of local councillors elected to office in May’s elections. The Queens Cross area covers three Glasgow City Council wards – Anderston/City, Hillhead and Canal.

WARD 10 – ANDERSTON/CITY Bailie Nina Baker Scottish Green Party nina.baker@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Bailie Philip Braat Scottish Labour Party philip.braat@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Bailie Martin John Docherty Scottish National Party (SNP) martin.docherty@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Gordon Matheson Scottish Labour Party gordon.matheson@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk WARD 11 – HILLHEAD Councillor Ken Andrew Scottish National Party (SNP) ken.andrew@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Martin McElroy Scottish Labour Party martin.mcelroy@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Pauline Ann McKeever Scottish Labour Party paulineann.mckeever@councillors. glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Martha Wardrop Scottish Green Party martha.wardrop@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk WARD 16 – CANAL Councillor Chris Kelly Scottish Labour Party chris.kelly@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk

Congratulations to the Woodside Youth Project team who were joint winners in the Central and West section of the Evening Times Glasgow Community Champions Awards held in August.

The Public Services Award was shared between the Woodside Youth Project and ‘CSI’ - a project involving Drumchapel High School, Strathclyde Police and Fire Services which taught children about science.

Inspector Gilllian Docherty from Strathclyde Police has been working with the Association’s Woodside youth team and nominated them for the award. She said: “Through the hard work and dedication of the Youth Team and the partnership working we have undertaken with them and with Queens Cross Housing Association in general, youth disorder and incidents involving anti social behaviour have reduced dramatically in the area.

“Where youths are becoming involved in crime and antisocial behaviour we can now refer them to Scott’s team who can offer some diversionary projects to keep them off the streets.

“The area is now a safer and happier place to live and the police and the Association are passionate about ensuring it stays this way.

“We will continue to work in partnership to drive down incidents and to also ensure that the bright young kids who live in the area have the opportunities and support they deserve.”

The Woodside Youth Project provides a programme of youth work and diversionary activities that increases support for local young people through personal and social education.

It enables them to gain knowledge and recognise new opportunities in the world around them and to make informed choices.

Project-based workshops allow the team to work with groups of young people over a sustained period. Drop-in sessions provide valuable time for the youth work staff to build and sustain positive relationships with the young people through an informal educational approach.

Diversionary activities allows young people to build selfesteem and confidence, to motivate them to think positively about the opportunities in their lives, particularly around lifestyle

“

The area is now a safer and happier place to live and the police and the Association are passionate about ensuring it stays this way.

”

choices, health, employment, training and further education.

These activities include football coaching which take place in Firhill Complex on a Wednesday and Friday evening and dance classes in Woodside Leisure centre on a Thursday night and in Firhill Sports complex on a Friday Evening.

The project also works with under 12s on a Wednesday night. The Project is managed

by Scott McNair with support from a team of professional youth workers.

Presently we are working with 35 local young people and are about to start a number of drug and alcohol initiatives which aim to tackle under age activities.

Councillor Billy McAllister Scottish National Party (SNP) billy.mcallister@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Helen Stephen Scottish Labour Party helen.stephen@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillor Kieran Wild Scottish Green Party kieran.wild@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk Councillors can be contacted at Glasgow City Council.

Address: Glasgow City Council City Chambers George Square Glasgow G2 1DU Tel No: 0141-287-2000 Website: www.glasgow.gov.uk

The Woodside Youth Project team, seen here on the left, were joint winners with the CSI project, Drumchapel.

Green Space

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green space Launched in the summer issue of Focus, Green Space aims to bring attention to the environmentally friendly, money-saving project and ideas going in the Queens Cross area.

Here we tell you about people who are growing their own food, environment project winners and where to go to learn how to live a greener life.

Get in touch with Green Space Do you know of any green or environmental projects that you’d like to share with readers? Contact Margaret Brannan on mbrannan@qcha.org.uk or call her direct on 0141 589 7349.

A bumper harvest of talent

Your one stop shop for green advice Greener Scotland is a one-stop website for greener living.

This Scottish Government site combines a wide range of information and resources to

help the country go greener.

You’ll fi nd all sorts of advice on how to save energy, reduce waste, travel smarter and eat greener. There are plenty of practical tips and useful tools to get you started – like our What’s In Season webapp, wellinsulated virtual house and other interactive resources.

Visit: http://www.greenerscotland.org/warm-homes

Queens Cross Best Backcourt 1st 2nd 3rd

444/440 Maryhill Road 588 Maryhill Road 101/107 Firhill Road & 40 Firhill Street

Best Close The Pot of Soup project team were winners of the George Wylie Memorial Trophy.

Despite the torrential weather this year the Environmental Competition came up with a bumper harvest of talent, hard work and creativity by local gardeners and growers of all ages.

The Association’s annual competition celebrated the best in gardens, planters, window boxes, back courts and closes at an awards ceremony held in Woodside Halls on 10 September.

Chief Executive, Shona Stephen, was there to welcome local residents and present prizes. She said: “Making a difference to your environment is a very creative task and one that can be shared with lots of people.

“Your spirits lift when you visit an area with beautiful gardens or plants being grown and cared for. It tells you something about the people that live there, it shows they care about their homes and adds a feeling of reassurance and security.

“My thanks to the Association staff who make this event possible, the winners and all of the tenants and residents who make such a huge difference to our environment all year round.”

Two special trophies were awarded at the event. The overall winner of the Environmental Competition 2012 was Mr and Mrs McDonald of 76 Kirkland Street. Mrs McDonald

accepted the Carrie McGregor Quaich on the couple’s behalf.

The George Wylie Memorial Trophy was awarded to the staff and residents of Mrs McDonald CHYP (Council for winner of the Carrie Homeless Young McGregor Quaich People) for the Pot of Soup project. Started in February this year, the project has transformed what was a neglected back yard in to a garden bursting A competition with flowers, for all ages herbs and vegetables.

Using recycled railway sleepers and old car tyres as plant beds, the project team have now set their sights on getting more land to increase their yield, providing sheltered housing complexes with hanging baskets and cooking what they grow. The project is supported by the Garscube Community Foundation and the Coach House Trust.

1st 2nd 3rd

5 Jardine Street 3 Bonawe Street 430 Maryhill Road

Best Window Box/Planters 1st

Nancy Henning, 26

2nd 3rd

Burnbank Terrace Charlie Smith, 41 Benview Street Mrs Shields, 28 Dalmally Street

Best Garden 1st 2nd 3rd

Mr & Mrs McDonald, 76 Kirkland Street Mr McIndoe, 46 Springbank Street Mrs Johnston, 411 Maryhill Road

Woodside Best Backcourt

2nd

1st 2nd 3rd

3rd

16 Clarendon Street 57 Glenfarg Street 406 St George’s Road

Best Close 1st 2nd 3rd

350 St George’s Road 8 Cedar Street 370 St George’s Road

Best Window Box/Planters 1st

Mrs Wylie, 57 Glenfarg Street

Mrs Carberry, 374 St George’s Road Abercorn Secondary School/Oakgrove Primary

Best Garden 1st 2nd 3rd

Mr Canning, 33c Braid Square Entire close, 15 Clarendon Street Mrs Charnely, 8b St Peter’s Path

Westercommon/Hamiltonhill Best Window Box/Planters

Dundasvale

1st

Mr Leathem, 18 Dundasvale Court was awarded a Certificate of Merit for continued commitment to the environment within the area.

Mrs Paton, 29 Westercommon Drive 2nd Mrs Pate, 31 Panmure Close 3rd Mrs McNicol, 31 Westercommon Drive

Best Garden 1st

Mrs Campbell, 245 Stonyhurst Street 2nd Mrs Wright, 35 Panmure Close 3rd Mr Duff, 16 Salmona Street

Winner of the George Wylie Memorial Trophy Pot of Soup project – Council for Homeless Young People (CHYP)

Winner of the Carrie McGregor Quaich Mr & Mrs McDonald, 76 Kirkland Street

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Changes to benefits in 2013 – how will you be affected?

Many of the UK Government’s welfare benefits changes have become law. Some changes have already happened and some others will be taking effect very soon. In this article we highlight the main changes that are due to come in from April next year.

Please note that the information in this article is up to date as far as we know at the time of publishing, based on official sources of information. However we cannot rule out the possibility that some of the Government’s plans may change. Queens Cross Housing Association will try to keep tenants and other service users updated with any further important changes that may be announced.

Have a look at the list below, to see which changes are likely to affect you.

Changes expected to take effect from April 2013 – • Housing benefit ‘bedroom tax’ – penalty for ‘under-occupied’ household For people of working age only (people under pension credit age), the amount of rent that your housing benefit is based on will be reduced if you have one or more bedrooms that are considered unnecessary for the size of your household. The reduction is expected to be 14% for one unoccupied bedroom, and 25% for 2 or more unoccupied bedrooms.

• Benefit cap Again for people of working age only (people under pension credit age), housing benefit will be reduced if necessary so that the total income from benefits is no more than an amount called ‘median’ earnings. The cap on total benefit income

is expected to be about £350 a week for single people and £500 for lone parents and couples. There will be exemption from the cap for any household where someone is receiving DLA, or PIP, or the support component of ESA, or industrial injuries disablement benefit or a war pension.

• Council tax benefit to be abolished The current council tax benefit scheme is to be replaced in Scotland by a new scheme designed by the Scottish Government and administered by the local authority • Social Fund grants and crisis loans to be abolished Community care grants and Crisis Loans for items and general living expenses (including rent in advance) will be abolished and replaced by a new scheme to be run by the Scottish government.

Crisis Loans due to issues with benefit (such as delay in payment) are to be replaced by a new national scheme of Short Term Advances to be run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

For advice about how to claim attendance allowance or DLA, or about any other benefit issues, contact the Association and ask about our welfare rights service.

See also ‘How can I get further advice?’ below.

How can I get further advice?

Other changes in 2013 The main changes expected to happen later in 2013 are as follows: • Personal Independence Payments (PIP) In June 2013 a new system of benefi ts for disabled people, called personal independence payments (PIP), is expected to be introduced UK-wide, after being piloted in the North of England only from April 2013.

The main difference with PIP is that it will be assessed on a points scoring system, and the intention is that most claims will be based on face-to-face assessments by an approved healthcare practitioner, similar to the current system for ESA assessments.

PIP is expected to replace DLA for new claims and for anyone with a change in circumstances that would affect their entitlement to DLA. Currently, the intention is for PIP to apply only to people of age 16 to 64. Eventually, it is expected that everyone between ages 16 and 64 who receives DLA will have their award transferred over to PIP. The Government intends to achieve this by March 2017.

• Universal Credit From October 2013 the DWP plans to start introducing a new benefi t called Universal Credit, or UC for short. UC is intended eventually to replace all income related benefits and tax credits for people of working age, including income support, income based JSA, income related employment and support allowance, working tax credit and child tax credit, and housing benefit. The expectation is that new claims for these benefits will be abolished, and existing claims will move over to UC, in a staged process starting early 2014 and expected to be complete by March 2017.

We hope to be able to provide more information and updates on Universal Credit in the winter edition of this magazine.

If you are concerned about how the changes might affect you, or if you would like any advice about welfare benefits please call us on 0141 945 3003 and ask for welfare rights. You may be offered an appointment at the offi ce. If you cannot come to the office, please request a home visit and one of our welfare rights officers will get back to you about this as soon as possible.

Our website www.qcha.org.uk Our email address: contactus@qcha.org.uk

Love food, hate waste recipe Thanks to the very positive reaction by Focus readers to the recipe for stirfried chicken in the summer issue, we’ve brought you another to try from Love Food Hate Waste’s website. This time from their ‘Cook Once Eat Twice’ range.

moroccan style Chicken stew This deliciously thick stew can be varied depending on what you have in the fridge. It’s good served with cous cous, rice, baked potatoes or warm pita bread and salad.

It’s also really tasty cold the next day served in a wrap.

Ingredients:

Method:

• Dash oil • 500g boneless skinless chicken, cubed (or use lamb, turkey or pork) • 2 onions, sliced • 300g chopped vegetables (e.g. carrot, peppers, parsnip) • 50g dried apricots, rasins, sultanas or prunes, halved • 1 x 400g tin tomatoes • 1 heaped teaspoon each ground cinnamon and cumin • 200ml water • Salt and pepper

1. Add oil to a pan, add the onion and cook until browned then add the chicken and stir for 2 minutes.

2. Add the chopped vegetables and cook another 3 minutes, mixing regularly.

3. Add the apricots, tomatoes, spices, water and seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil, turn the heat down and simmer gently for 20 minutes stirring regularly.

Vegetarian and vegan options For a veggie version use butternut squash, pumpkin or sweet potato rather than chicken. Or just add a 500g mixture of different vegetables.

Love Food Hate Waste is brought to you by Zero Waste Scotland. Zero Waste Scotland helps individuals, businesses and communities reduce waste, recycle more and use resources sustainably. To find out more, visit www.zerowastescotland.org.uk

Agm

10

involvement take A report from this year’s Agm The increasing involvement of tenants in the Association’s Board and Community Involvement Groups was reported at our Annual General Meeting on 17 September.

Held in Woodside Halls to an audience of more than 100 Association members, the key themes of the event included strengthening the Association’s governance, a historic year for new build properties, and an ongoing commitment to our communities.

We now have nearly 50 tenant and resident members of our Board and four Community Involvement Groups.

Chair’s report Association Chair, John Gray, recognised the significant period of change that the Association has undergone in 2011/12.

Board members and Community Involvement Group members have taken up key roles in the organisation, providing ideas, feedback and discussion on the Association’s services and community activities.

John also announced the launch of the Association’s Governance Charter. Developed

by Board members and senior staff, the Charter contains 7 key principles which reflect the Association’s commitment to comply with the Scottish Housing Regulator’s standards to integrate good governance into all that the Association does.

Stepping down as Chair of the Board this year, John said that he was satisfi ed that the Association was in good shape though mindful of the challenges presented by the economic situation and impact of benefits reform.

Challenges ahead Chief Executive, Shona Stephen, looked back on a year when 50 tenant and resident members of the Board and Community Involvement Groups were recruited and worked closely with the organisation.

For this year, 2012/13, the Association is already dealing with the challenges faced by many tenants due to benefits reform. Shona emphasised the increasing importance of feedback and two-way communication between the Association and its tenants so that services can be designed and directed where they’re needed. The information being gathered through the Getting to Know You survey or by tenants taking the time to complain or compliment services are also routes to continually improving services.

sound finances Neil Manley, Director of Finance, presented the accounts for 2011/12 with support from independent external auditors, Scott Moncrieff, who declared that the Association was on a sound financial footing.

New board members The Association’s Board is now made up of 12 members, 8 elected from the membership and 4 independent members. Anyone who lives in the Association’s area of operation can put themselves forward for the Board.

At the AGM, Association members were asked to elect members to the Association’s Board of Management. The following three members were elected unopposed: Andrew Stewart, Tam McPhater, Bridget McGeechan.

Members were also asked to formally appoint one new independent member to the Board and David Horner’s appointment was approved.

the full list of board members: Community members Marilyn Clewes Margaret Glass Sadie Gordon John Gray Bridget McGeechan Tam McPhater Mohammed Razaq Andrew Stewart

Independent members David Horner Kathy Somers Tom Whyte Colin Williams

Profile: donald murray, Queens Cross Cig Donald Murray is one of our new CIG members. He’s not only taken on a new role on behalf of local residents he’s also added new son, Kade, to his family. Here Donald explains why he joined the CIG and what he’s hoping to get out of his involvement. He said: “I’ve lived in the Westercommon area for most of my life. I moved to Murano Crescent recently as part of the Hamiltonhill clearance and joined Queens Cross CIG because I wanted to do something for the area.

“I’m interested in how the Association works, making some changes to the area for the better and look forward to meeting new people.”

Donald works as a chef at the Little Sisters of the Poor’s care home for the elderly in Robroyston. He’s been there for four years and, previous to that, worked for the Talbot Association, a charity for vulnerable homeless people.

Agm

11

es a leap forward governance Charter launched As a commitment to the highest standards of governance in the Association, the Board of Management and senior staff have agreed and signed up to a Governance Charter. The Charter sets out seven key principles that will guide the Association’s decision making.

Annual report 2011/12 Your copy of the Queens Cross Housing Association Annual Report 2011/12 should be delivered with this autumn issue of Focus magazine.

Building If you would like the Report in Communities another format, want to order another copy or prefer to read it online, contact us on 0141-945 3003, email contactus@qcha.org.uk or visit www.qcha.org.uk Annual Report 2011/12

Excellence at the hear t

of your community

1

Cig members Confirmed Membership of the four Community Involvement Groups was confirmed at the AGM for Dundasvale, Hamiltonhill & Westercommon, Woodside and Queens Cross.

Full details of all appointments and background on CIG and Board members will be found on the Association’s new website which will launch in early October.

Profile: Appointment of office bearers The Board’s offi ce bearers for 2012/13 have been confi rmed. They are:Chair Margaret Glass Vice Chair MarilynClewes Vice Chair Colin Williams Secretary Bill Brown, Director of Corporate Services

thank you Thanks and recognition were given at the AGM to Board and Community Involvement Group members who were standing down from their posts this year.

Liz Campbell, Mohammed Zahid and Jim Aird were thanked for their contributions to the Board of Management.

Helen Getty and Ina Munro were thanked for their contributions to the Westercommon and Hamiltonhill Community Involvement Group.

The event closed with a thank you to John Gray who stepped down as Chair of the Association’s Board. John has been Chair since 2010 but has had a long history with the Association, and was one of its founding members. Although stepping down as Chair, John will remain as a Board member.

david horner, independent board member After a brief period teaching geography at Glasgow University, David moved into urban regeneration.

He held various posts in almost 25 years with Glasgow City Council, including establishing and chairing the Gorbals Regeneration Partnership. A town planner to trade, he was particularly concerned with joining up the economic, social, cultural and physical aspects of regeneration.

David said: “I’m very pleased to have been appointed to the Board of Queens Cross Housing Association. Communitybased associations are increasingly important providers of quality affordable housing in the city, and I look forward to joining the Board in its work.”

He moved to Yorkshire, joining Renew Leeds, a not-for-profit company, as Project Director. Following his return to Glasgow in 2008, David was involved in strategic planning for housing in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley areas.

Staff News

12

Your complaints driving our performance The Association has been at the fore in adopting and implementing the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s model complaint handling procedure.

The new streamlined two-stage approach to dealing with your complaints has been developed for quicker and more effective resolution of complaints. Since 13th June 2012, we’ve handled over sixty complaints from customers.

Although we always try to deliver our services effectively and get things right first time, complaints allow us to identify where there

may be scope for improvement in how we deliver services. We use your complaints to drive improvement and ensure we perform as best we can in providing a service to our customers.

When a complaint has been resolved, we analyse it to identify learning outcomes including how and why an issue happened and the way it was handled. A number of service improvements have already been suggested as a result of the complaints we’ve received from customers. Some case studies are listed here to illustrate where we’ve listened to your concerns and acted to make improvements to the services we

Learning from Complaints - Case Studies Complaint 1: A contractor lifted floorboards to carry out electrical rewiring work leaving the floor in a state of disrepair.

The contractor had indicated that their operatives would return to complete the work and reinstate floorboards which had been lifted. Contractor did not return and tenant was unable to contact them.

Learning outcomes: • Communication with customers on investment programmes needs to be structured • Communication plans to be developed for each investment programme in advance of work commencing.

Complaint 2: Dissatisfaction with damage to the interior wall of a property and a lack of response or communication from the Association.

Learning outcomes: • Need to establish timescales for reviewing repairs cases and giving progress reports and updates to customers.

Complaint 3: Customer had paid for an all-day hire of community rooms. The

provide.

The complaints we receive from customers also assist us in recognising trends and patterns where the same type of complaint may be recurring and to take action where necessary to ensure similar problems do not arise again.

The complaint handling statistics published here for the quarter 1st April – 30th June 2012 include a period where the previous complaints procedure was in operation with a ten working day response timescale to complaints received at stage one and stage two, and twenty one working days

at stage three.

A clearer picture of how we are performing under the new two-stage complaint handling procedure will be reported in the next edition of Focus.

1st April – 30th June 2012

customer advised that no-one Number of Complaints Received was available to give access Stage 1 57 and that there was no heating in room. Complainant further Stage 2 0 advises that the fire alarm Stage 3 2 was then activated thirty Total: 59 minutes later and could not be adequately deactivated until 1pm. Complainant unhappy as, Percentage of due to interruptions, they will complaints received have to arrange an alternative day at further cost and inconvenience.

Learning outcomes: • Conditions of Let fully reviewed to ensure that users have full instructions on what to do in the event of an emergency.

• Letting procedure to be fully reviewed to ensure that all staff involved in Percentage complaints the booking of rooms are response timescales fully aware of the letting procedure and their responsibilities.

• Signs to be placed in community rooms to inform users that they are not permitted to interfere with the heating controls. *Other relates to outstanding stage three complaint.

• A ‘free of charge’ let to be considered to customers Average timescale for response 7.7 days where costs have been to all complaints incurred in similar Average response time for complaints 5.2 days circumstances. responded to within timescale

Corporate News

13

woodside ambitions laid out Ge o

rge

’s

Ro a

d

We all know instinctively what a good place to live looks and feels like. We feel safe, part of a community and happy with the quality of our homes and the local surroundings. It’s a place where we want to stay and invest our time.

An Options Appraisal of Woodside has been carried out which has explored the ambitions of residents for their homes and their future.

Through consultation residents told us how they would like to see the area transformed into a desirable, high quality, vibrant and sustainable community that draws people in and makes them want to stay.

Queens Cross Housing Association is already committed to major investment in the Woodside area and will spend £17million between now and 2016 on works to improve the heating, insulation and ventilation at the deck access properties, and to improve the thermal insulation of the multi storey blocks at Cedar. These works will make sure all of the homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and will improve the properties.

It’s been clear when talking to residents that the area has great potential, being well connected to the city centre, having good transport links and a range of public facilities.

There’s an abundance of open space and the Spiers Locks initiative is bringing creative businesses to the area.

The Options Appraisal identifies local residents’ hopes and illustrates some of the ideas proposed for meeting those aspirations, particularly in improving security, access and the wider environment. There’s emphasis on dealing with refuse and making homes easier

What's next .....

and cheaper to heat. have already demonstrated our commitment to bringing improvements We’veWe already demonstrated our commitment by: • Installing additional CCTV cameras to improve safety and security. to bringing improvements: • Fitting new signage to give a fresh appearance to the deck access blocks at the entrances, stairs and decks so visitors can find their way • We’ve installed additional CCTV cameras more easily.

• Establishing growing spaces with local partner organisations, helped by to improve safety and security.

Council funding of over £25,000.

• Refurbishing under used space at 65 Cedar Street, allowing the • New signage is giving a fresh appearance Association to deliver services such as welfare rights, money and debt advice to local residents. to• the deck access properties at the Improved repairs service from our new maintenance contractor. entrances, stairs and decks so that Transforming the Woodside area is a huge and costly task and the Associationcan is investigating how it canway meet some of these aspirations visitors find their around more and who it can work with. We are investing to ensure all our homes meet easily. the Scottish Housing Quality Standard but we are committed to deliver more. The Association is looking to see how much money can be raised, where and how we can attract grant support for works, and which other • Work to improve the environment by organisations might contribute to this project. establishing growing spaces with local The Woodside Community Involvement partner organisations has with Group and the started, consultation have helped us understand the priority issues to explore.

Council funding oftoThe over £25,000.

Association will consult further with local residents and organisations as funding is • Under-used space at 65 Cedar Street identified and ideas develop into proposals.

8has been refurbished to enable the Association to deliver services such as welfare rights, money and debt advice locally.

• Improved repairs service from our new maintenance contractor.

Clearly, the comprehensive transformation of the Woodside area is a huge and costly task and the Association is now looking at how it can meet some of our aspirations and who it can work with. The Association is investing to ensure all our homes meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard but we are committed to deliver more. We’re looking to see how much money we can provide from Leaflet Design:

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The workshops run for 4 weeks and include topics that will assist you to recognise what stress is and how it affects your behaviour and thought patterns.

They will guide you through a range of problem solving and wellbeing techniques so that you learn to manage your stress more effectively.

If you would like to find out more about our courses and/or Lifelink services, visit www.lifelink.org.uk or telephone 0141 552 4434.

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‘adapting under-used spaces’

Woodside Going Forward

The ‘Options Appraisal of Woodside’ has explored the ambitions of residents for their homes and their future. Through a series of consultation exercises residents told us how they would like to see the area transformed into a desirable, high quality, vibrant and sustainable community that draws people in and makes them want to stay.

QCHA is already committed to major investment in the Woodside area and will spend £17million between now and 2016 on works to improve the heating, insulation and ventilation at the deck access flats, and to improve the thermal insulation of the multi storey blocks at Cedar.

1

our own reserves, where and how we can attract grant support for works, and which other bodies and partner organisations may have money to contribute to this project.

The Association has produced an information leaflet giving more detail on the plans for Woodside.

Contact us on 945 3003 or contactus@qcha.org.uk for a copy.

Herald commendation for Hopehill Road

Hopehill Road, the sheltered housing complex for people aged 60 and over, was given a commendation in the Social Housing Development of the Year category of the Herald Property Awards. Our congratulations to the development team who saw this project through

from start to completion.

The Assessors at Building Research Establishment (BRE) have also confirmed that Hopehill has been certified as one of the few housing associations in Scotland to achieve an Excellent standard under the Eco-Homes ratings for environmental performance.

Corporate News

14

Celebrating diversity, Challenging intolerance The Association’s neighbourhoods are made up of individuals from a broad range of backgrounds. A rich and diverse cultural mix is a large part of what makes vibrant communities.

Queens Cross Housing Association wants

to celebrate that diversity and to extend equality of opportunity to everyone who lives here, irrespective of their background.

Equality and Diversity is one the Association’s core values and we are

New initiatives We are therefore putting in place a number of initiatives to demonstrate our commitment to fairness and to challenging discrimination wherever it may exist.

The Association has recently published an Equality and Diversity Policy which outlines our commitment and key guiding principles in advancing equality, and ensuring everyone is treated fairly. It also outlines the responsibilities of Board members, staff, contractors and partners, and our customers in relation to equality and diversity and in working towards embedding equality and diversity into everything the Association does as a Registered Social Landlord.

The Association will also be developing an Equality and Diversity strategy which will set out how we aim to achieve our five Equality and Diversity objectives outlined in our Policy: • We gather and maintain information to understand the needs of our customers and shape services to meet diverse needs.

• Our Board, CIGs, staff, volunteers and partnerships demonstrate a clear commitment to Equality and Diversity.

• We offer effective ways for all of our customers to engage with us and customer feedback is used to review and develop services.

• Our services are accessible and responsive to the needs of our customers.

• We are a progressive organisation and our governance, leadership structures and workforce will broadly represent the diversity of the communities we serve.

Our equality objectives have been developed with the input of our Board and Community Involvement Groups with the aim of identifying individuals or groups for whom barriers may currently exist to them engaging with us or in accessing the services we provide.

Our objectives also aim to ensure we’re delivering our services fairly and equally to everyone without discrimination, to ensure our customers can communicate effectively with us and that we are focussing the delivery of our services to the needs of all of our customers.

committed to eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation. We have a responsibility to challenge intolerance and promote a culture of inclusion and respect between all people who enrich the local community.

hate Crime Policy in place As part of our commitment to fairness and to challenging intolerance and discrimination, the Association have also recently launched a Hate Crime Policy. Hate crime may take the form of physical or verbal attacks or threats against an individual or group, or attacks upon property such as offensive graffiti or vandalism. Individuals or groups may suffer from crime committed by individuals motivated by hatred of another person or group’s race, ethnicity or nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

Hate crime has a corrosive effect upon the harmony and cohesion of our community and an often devastating impact upon its victims. The Association’s Hate Crime Policy illustrates our commitment to ensuring that our neighbourhoods are safe and welcoming places for all residents and outlines the actions we will take against known perpetrators of hate crime.

We have worked in partnership with Strathclyde Police, Glasgow Community and Safety Services and other key stakeholders in a number of initiatives aimed at tackling hate crime. The Association is a nominated third party reporting facility for hate crime and we are also represented on Strathclyde Police ‘A’ division

and ‘B’ division hate crime action groups.

Statistically it is estimated that many incidences of hate crime regularly go unreported. Individuals may feel intimidated or anxious about reporting hate crime directly to the police and may have perceptions or preconceived expectations which may make this difficult.

Our role as a third party reporting centre has been designed to encourage, and to make it as easy and as accessible as possible to report incidences of hate crime as victims often feel intimidated and threatened.

We have trained staff who will provide support for an individual wishing to report a hate crime who can pass information to Strathclyde Police without revealing the victim’s personal details. Strathclyde Police will only investigate an incidence of hate crime with the victim’s consent, and can also signpost individuals to the most appropriate support organisations through the Strathclyde Police Diversity Unit.

Reporting hate crime is vital to building an accurate picture of how many incidences of crime motivated by hate occur. Reporting allows police and others agencies to proactively target and allocate resources to areas where hate crimes are most prevalent.

If you are a victim of hate crime or wish to report an incidence of crime motivated by prejudice or hate you can contact Association staff who will treat any report with sensitivity and in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, contact Strathclyde Police directly on 0141 532 2000 or online at https://www.strathclyde.police.uk/hate_crime/

Corporate News

15

fire service film new campaign in braid square Strathclyde Fire & Rescue were in Braid Square recently to film a tv ad for their new Home Fire Safety campaign.

They’re asking the public to join the fight against fire to help keep you, your family and friends, neighbours and community safe.

The campaign’s aim is to promote citizenship and to ask neighbours to recommend a Home Fire Safety Visit for community members they know may be vulnerable.

It could be you know someone who is at risk - a relative, friend or neighbour who may need a little more support due to age, ill-health or addiction problems.

The service ask you to pick up the phone today and

help save a life. Call 0800 0731 999.

The advert shows a fireman walking along a communal hallway in Braid Square and appearing to knock on a door, as if he is about to conduct a visit.

Glasgow invites you to unleash your creativity across a range of exciting exhibitions, events and activities at this year’s Creative Mackintosh Festival!

The Mackintosh Church is hosting a number of events during the Festival which takes place from 15 - 28 October.

‘Unfinished Symphony’ - an exhibition in our new ‘Contempo Gallery’ space, curated by the CRM Society 15 - 28 October Design for Living – the furniture of Bruce Hamilton 15 - 28 October End of History – an exhibition of the work of renowned photographer and artist Tim Gray 15 28 October

Puppet Day at the Mackintosh Church Puppet Workshop and Show This performance is suitable for children aged 3 -11 years accompanied by an adult.

Mackintosh’s Italian Dinner 26 October at 19.00 Mackintosh and Maryhill – Heritage Walking Tours 17, 21, 24, & 28 October 13.30 to 15.30 Sound Sessions at the Mackintosh Church 23 October at 18.00 & 27 October at 15.00 The Mackintosh Church will have extended opening throughout the Festival.

To see the tv ad and find out more about the citizenship campaign, visit: http://www.strathclydefire.org/

Kids Culture Club The Fire Station project formed the Kids Culture Club (or KCC) last year in response to the number of young families the project supports.

The group started out as an art group and met every week at the Benview Community Rooms. The KCC’s aim was to allow parents and their children some quality time together doing a fun activity like making paper mache masks, hand and feet painting, making things out of Play-Do and lots of other activities.

The art group came to the

mackintosh Church hosts october festival events

end of its run recently but KCC continues to have an annual summer and autumn trip. We’ve been to Blair Drummond safari park, Edinburgh Zoo and the Almond Valley Farm.

The kids have had an amazing time seeing lots of animals, bouncing on trampolines, playing in sand and going on a trailer ride. Luckily we got a bit of rare Scottish

sun so enjoyed a nice picnic lunch followed by ice cream. We also ran another art session before going to the farm so the parents and kids could meet each other before the trip. The project regularly collects evaluations after trips and feedback has been very positive.

Also at our annual Focus Day KCC always sets up an art table for any children who attend. We cover it with paper and allow the kids to basically decorate it in any way they want to with paint, tissue paper, pens and glitter. Hopehill sheltered housing complex was definitely sparkling this year when we were done and the kids had a great time.

Sara Wood Housing Support Supervisor

For more information visit www.crmsociety.com/ creativemackintoshfestival or contact Dylan on dylan@crmsociety.com T: 0141 946 6600 Bookings for events can be made on bookwhen.com/mackintosh

Volunteering opportunities available Have you a couple of hours a week to give to help our older tenants?

Activities such as lunch clubs, gardening and indoor activities are much appreciated by tenants and, to meet demand, we need volunteers to work alongside staff on these activities.

Tasks include setting and serving tables and washing dishes for the lunch club; helping tenants with

gardening tasks that may be too heavy for them.

We’re also looking for drivers to get tenants to the shops in our minibus. Or maybe there’s another skill you have that would benefit tenants?

For more information on all our volunteer opportunities, please contact Tommy Lusk on 0141 945 8584 or tlusk@qcha.org.uk

News from the neighbourhoods

16

News from the Queens Cross Central Olympic medal winners

Queens Cross CIG hosted an Olympics themed social event for members of all four neighbourhood CIGs on 22 June.

The fun event was very well attended and medals were handed out for sports including sock hockey.

The CIG events are held quarterly to allow members to get to know each other, find out what each group is doing and learn from each other.

The next event, a Burns Supper, will be hosted by Woodside CIG in January.

Joint litter pick-up planned Woodside and Queens Cross CIG members are joining up in October to take part in another litter pick-up in the streets around

Hopehill Road and Woodside.

These popular events make a big difference to the environment and benefit local residents.

Tenant moves update The last quarter has seen the completion of tenant moves in to brand new homes in the Murano and Garscube developments.

The first close available for rent in

Oban Drive is due to be handed over to the Association in October.

This project will run until Spring 2013 involving many families who are being moved to a new address due to the clearance of properties in Hamiltonhill.

Autumn coffee morning in Maryhill Following on from recent successes, the Queens Cross CIG is to host a coffee morning for local residents at our community room at 472 Maryhill Road in October/

November. The event’s being held to encourage new members to join the CIG and for members to talk to local people about what’s happening in their community.

Queens Cross Cig Community Action Plan • Support the Clean Glasgow campaign on dog fouling • Continue and sustain work done by the Clean Glasgow Campaign • Tackle issues of public drinking in local green spaces • Implement the Association’s anti-social behaviour strategy • Plan a community garden that meets the community’s needs.

Plan, support and deliver an environmental action day in Burbank Gardens, Firhill.

Plan an event that involves all members of the four

community involvement groups.

• Develop the Community Halls as learning hubs.

• Work with partners to provide opportunities for community based learning.

Apply persuasion and pressure on local authority to install traffic control measures on Queen Margaret Drive and Garscube Road.

Plan, support and deliver an environmental action day around Hopehill Rd that involves the Woodside CIG. Support the development of a mural in Dunard School that celebrates the school’s history.

Queens Cross Community involvement group 1.

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NAME Jean McPetrie Lisa Martin Linda Smith Helen McLellan Daisy Woo Ahlam Souidi Joe Bonnar Donald Murray Margaret Glass

ADDRESS Napiershall Street Kirkland St Springbank Street Dalmally Street Wilton Street Maltbarn Street Maryhill Road Murano Crescent Clouston Court

If you’re interested in joining Queens Cross CIG or want more information on local events, contact Evelyn Keegans or Marion McIntyre on 0141 945 3003.

woodside

Zero tolerance on Anti social behaviour - recent evictions Eviction decrees were recently granted by the courts which resulted in two tenancies being terminated by the Association after court approval. This resulted in the households losing their homes.

Evicting a tenant is a very last resort in managing our tenancies. Association staff will always try all possible means to avoid

such action being necessary.

Unfortunately, there are a small number of tenants who, despite the best help and support to resolve issues of anti social behaviour, continue to carry out serious acts of unacceptable conduct that has an impact on their neighbours and the whole community.

In these circumstances, the Association has no other choice but to proceed with eviction action. While this situation is regrettable, the Association will not tolerate anti social behaviour and will take action to recover tenancies if tenants are unwilling to engage with our services, and work with us to prevent them from losing their homes.

News from the neighbourhoods

17

Neighbourhoods Invitation to join Woodside Tenant Consultation As part of the Association’s commitment to tenant consultation, we would like to develop a list of tenants in the Woodside area who would be interested in giving their views on the Association’s plans for the redevelopment of the area.

Our consultation would take the form of attending meetings that would be

held from time to time to obtain your views on the development proposals.

If you can spare a few hours to participate in these meetings, please contact Tom Canavan, Neighbourhood Housing Manager, or Katie Fox, Assistant Neighbourhood Housing Manager, on 0141 945 3003.

Community Activities Windsor Hall is a wellknown and well-used facility for the local community of Woodside.

If you’re interested in joining any classes, come along on the following dates or call one of the Woodside team on 945 3003 to find out more.

• Computing classes - Wednesdays 10am -12noon. Learn at your own pace and beginners welcome.

• Lunch club, Monday to Friday. New members welcome.

• Join our art group on Thursday at 2pm • Tuesday evening –senior group • Wednesday evening - junior then senior group.

• Friday evening drop in and Urban Art. • New! Saturday morning youth group for 5-12 year olds.

Dundasvale Dundasvale’s Housing and Customer Services team have re-located to a new office at 6 Dundasvale Court, flat 1/1.

The office opened on 20th August and the team have been busy with customers coming in for meetings, home visits and telephone enquiries.

The team provide a full housing service for Dundasvale residents and they’re available to discuss any issue that tenants may have about their tenancy or property.

Welfare Rights and Money and Debt Advice surgeries are also held at 6 Dundasvale. The surgeries are by appointment only by calling 0141 589 7333 to arrange a suitable date and time.

Office opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thurday 9am – 1pm Wednesday, Friday 1pm – 5pm The Dundasvale housing team are now based at 6 Dundasvale Court, Flat 1/1

Woodside - Community Action Plans • The Community Involvement Group will continue to contribute to the development of the proposals for the regeneration of the neighbourhood. Architects complete the feasibility report outlining the options.

Development staff assess the costs of the various proposals.

• CIG members participate in the Gala Day to disseminate information on the option appraisal to the Woodside Community.

• CIG members participate in the election for members.

• Staff and Community Involvement Group members are available to attend walkabouts.

• Community Services and Development staff work closely to develop the available space to a useful community facility.

• Community Involvement Group members involved in the design of the resource and in decisions on the use of the facility.

• In conjunction with local people and groups, identify unused spaces to be used for development.

• Carry out visits to local community gardens – concrete garden, Kingsway Court and Belmont Lane • Co-ordinate workshops to be held by the Coach House Trust.

Woodside Community Involvement Group NAME 1.

Elspeth Glasgow 2.

Teresa McCaffrey 3.

Kalsoom Iqbal 4.

Audrey McAtasney 5.

Lewis Mitchell 6.

Cathie Corbett 7 Joanne Tinney 8.

Joanne Wong 9.

Thomas McPhater, Board appointment 10. Colin Williams, Board appointment

ADDRESS St Peter’s Path St George’s Road Windsor Street Glenfarg Street Cedar Street St Peter’s Path Cedar Street Cedar Court St George’s Road Kelvin Drive

New safety handrails fitted CIG members were also involved in the installation of two new support handrails between 2 and 14 Dundasvale Court.

These new support rails will help people to get around estate, particularly in windy weather.

This is the first step in a process that will see more

Handrails between 2 and 14 Dundasvale Court work carried out in the area as a result of the CIG consulting with the community on local improvements to the area.

The activities on the CIG’s Community Action Plan are listed on the next page.

News from the neighbourhoods

18

Community garden plans The Dundasvale Community Involvement Group (CIG) met with the Coach House Trust recently to discuss and plan a new community garden to be located near the Bowling Green. Residents should have received a letter inviting them to take part in planning and developing of the garden.

For more information on the Coach House Trust, visit: www.

dundasvale Community Action Plan

dundasvale Community involvement group

• To carry out survey of tenants, to ask what they would want regarding environmental improvements in the area.

• Survey options to be based on the results of previous engagement exercises within area and CIG. • Installation of handrail at no. 2 and no. 14 Dundasvale Court – based on survey results.

• Develop a community garden.

• Install notice boards and suggestion boxes in fl ats.

• Soft landscaping and inclusion of sculptures/ artwork/trim trail throughout area.

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NAME May McVey Helen Waugh June Wallace Gerald McGillan Elaine Murdie Margaret McIntyre Carol McIvor Jean Forrester Bridget McGeechan Board appointment

ADDRESS Dundasvale Court, Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court Dundasvale Court

westercommon & hamiltonhill It has been a busy few months in Westercommon and Hamiltonhill with a number of projects managed by staff.

Hamiltonhill clearance

Calmer streets

The Hamiltonhill tenements are now almost cleared with less that 20 residents still remaining in the area. Our aim is to provide those still waiting to move with suitable accommodation that will allow the Association to programme the demolition of the flats.

The gang activity round about Panmure Street and Westercommon Drive has calmed down, but the Association remains pro-active in dealing with anyone who is a tenant or member of a tenant’s family who is involved in this type of activity.

Community Garden Plans We continue to manage the open areas within Hamiltonhill and, as part of a wider community garden initiative, we will be seeding parts of the open areas to encourage plant growth.

In Westercommon plans are afoot to develop the area outside the Courtyard into a community garden and we will be looking to residents to get involved so watch this space.

Multi-storey foyers near completion The foyers within each of the multi-storey blocks are almost complete and are looking great. The improvement work brings modern, tidy and welcoming entrance areas for tenants and visitors. This work highlights our ongoing commitment to improve and develop our housing stock.

Before

After

westercommon & hamiltonhill Community involvement group Action Plan • Upgrade the 4 Westercommon Multi -storey foyers.

• Traffi c calming and traffi c control for residents and children going to and from New School at Benview Campus from the Westercommon/ Hamiltonhill Areas.

• Work towards expanding the Courtyard services and enhance its position as being the hub of the community.

This will include: • Develop a community garden • Upgrade of Courtyard Hall • Upgrade of computers to allow Courtyard to continue as a learning hub.

• Develop unused car park at side of the Courtyard Building as a learning area.

• Hamiltonhill clearance area.

After

Community involvement group 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

NAME Gordon Bremner Josie O’Sullivan Michelle Lyttle Liz Campbell Gil Curtis Sadie Gordon Board appointment Marilyn Clewes Board appointment

ADDRESS Salmona Street Westercommon Road Westercommon Road Westercommon Road Westercommon Road Westercommon Road Panmure Close

Puzzles

Feeling Puzzled?

Sudoku Corner

Celebrity Wordsearch Simply find the celebrities names in the grid below

Fill in the 9x9 Sudoku grid with digits 1-9 such that each of these 9 digits appears in each row, each column and each Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.36) 3x3 sub-grid once.

8

9

6

2

1 7

5

2

3

9

7 9

2

9 1

6 4

4

5 8

6

1

9

3

6 9

2

Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

5

6

3

8 8

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Mon Sep 17 17:50:06 2012 GMT. Enjoy!

7

8

1

5

1 3

8

4

2

2

2

7

4

3

9

6

4

6

1

3 7

1

9

8 5

4

9

5

Riddle corner

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Mon Sep 17 17:50:06 2012 GMT. Enjoy!

Can you solve our riddle?

I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?

Last issue’s answers a) wrong

b) your name

Johnny Depp Daniel Radcliffe Ben Stiller Eddie Murphy

Emma Watson Jennifer Aniston Nicole Kidman Anne Hathaway

Mike Myers Jack Black Jim Carry Tom Hanks

19

shine the Light!

CHRISTMAS LIGHT BULB APPEAL The Garscube Community Foundation can help you with a unique Christmas present.

The Association is setting up Christmas trees at Queens Cross, Dundasvale, Woodside and Westercommon/ Hamiltonhill with hundreds of lights shining throughout the festive season.

You can nominate a light in memory of someone who has passed away this year, or as

✁

a gift to a family member or friend, to celebrate a new baby or to remember someone who won’t be at home this Christmas. The choice is yours. Shine the Light!

How do I get a light on the tree of my choice?

It’s simple, just complete the form below and send or deliver your donation to: The Community Services Administration Team, The

Garscube Community Foundation, Queens Cross Housing Association, 45 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BE. Cheques should be made payable to The Garscube Community Foundation.

In return, you will receive a gift bulb card for your personal inscription and a light will shine on the tree for your nominee.

Strathclyde Police is working in partnership with Queens Cross Housing Association and other partner agencies across the city, with the aim of tackling anti-social behaviour in your community and to ‘Keep People Safe’.

Strathclyde Police would like to encourage residents of the local community to contact them regarding any incident of antisocial behaviour or violence. In an emergency always dial 999. For non-urgent crimes, contact your local police office on our main contact number 0141 532 2000.

Crimestoppers is available to those who wish to pass on information about crime anonymously. Crimestoppers is independent to Strathclyde Police and guarantees anonymity, which means that no-one can ever find out who passed on the information.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT BULB APPEAL

Name Address

Telephone I would like a Christmas Light to shine throughout the festive season for : (person’s name) at Queens Cross

at Westercommon/Hamiltonhill

at Dundasvale at Woodside Please accept my donation to The Garscube Community Foundation £1

£2

£5

£10

Other

Data Protection Act Please note that the information provided by you on this form will be held on computer or other relevant filing systems and may be shared with other accredited agencies in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998

get in touch Main Office 45 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BE Tel – 0141 945 3003

The Courtyard 2 Westercommon Drive, Glasgow, G20 5PG Tel – 0141 336 3444 Email: contactus@ qcha.org.uk Website: www.qcha. org.uk

Policing Partnerships

To pass on information about crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Our office opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm QC Factoring Suite 12 – Firhill Business Centre 74 – 76 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7BA Tel: 0141 561 1105 Email: info@qcgroup. co.uk Website: www.qcfactoring.co.uk

Out of hours emergency number: QC HA Tenants 0808 143 2002

Handyperson service (over 65s) For small jobs around the home Service provided by Cordia Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm Tel – 0141 0800 587 2239 www.cordia.co.uk

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.