InVision Newsletter | Issue One 2022

InVision Issue 1 - 2022

WHAT'S INSIDE Top tips to reduce your bills: Download our checklist

National Careers Week:

Join us in celebrating our colleagues

Rent to Buy:

Learn about what it is and how it works

Conway Point:

A new development set to support Wirral residents onto the property ladder

If you need help understanding the information in this document please contact us on 0300 365 1111.

CONTENTS 3 Reschedule your appointments with My Account

6

10

16

4 5 6 8 10

You said, we did

12 14 16 17

Sewers and drains explained

18 20 22 23

Social value

Complaints and feedback Promise for a better future Rent to buy: What it is and how it works Developments by One Vision Housing, including Conway Point Here to help Retirement living at One Vision Housing Protect your belongings with contents insurance National careers week Anti-social behaviour Get in touch

Front cover: 18

Developments by One Vision Housing (page 10)

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MY ACCOUNT Did you know that you can view your account, pay rent, register feedback, raise a complaint and more through My Account?

Sign up to My Account today to manage your tenancy

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You said,

WE DID We understand that sometimes things don’t go to plan, and our services may fall below your expectations. We want you to know that your feedback is invaluable and helps us to focus our efforts on things that matter most to you.

You said:

Communication with customers about home improvements could be better.

We did:

We’ve worked with our Operatives to ensure that updates are regularly inputted into management systems, in order to improve communication with our customers. We have also worked to improve letters.

84% 91% 95% 96%

of customers said that their repair was completed right the first time customers are satisfied with cleaning services customers said they were satisfied with home improvement works of customers are satisfied with day-to-day repairs carried out

Source: customer satisfaction surveys from Q1 and Q2 of 2021/22

Want to help to shape the services we deliver?

Join our Customer Voice Group to get involved.

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Complaints and

FEEDBACK We are dedicated to providing excellent customer services and your feedback is essential in helping us shape our services.

During 2021/21…

95% of customers are satisfied with our overall services

99%

“I just wish I had called sooner instead of stressing out, you have helped so much.”

of complaints were resolved within 10 working days

If you want to share a suggestion, give a compliment or make a complaint, please talk to us.

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Promise for a

BETTER FUTURE We are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact as we strive towards a better future for our communities.

We’re working with our colleagues at Sovini Construction to deliver over 1000 new homes across the North West over the next five years.

These new homes will have environmentally

Learn more about The Sovini Group’s net-zero carbon commitment:

efficient features where possible, from low carbon heating and sustainable drainage systems to smart metres, solar panels and charging points for electric vehicles.

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Top tips to reduce your bills Follow our top tips to save money on your energy bills: Close your doors Reduce draughts and wasted energy Turn down the heating by 1° You could reduce your heating bills by up to 10% Fit energy saving bulbs They last 10 x longer will save you money Switch off appliances Appliances still use energy when they’re on standby Check your curtains Don’t cover your radiator with curtains Stop using a tumble dryer Dry your clothes using a washing line or maiden instead Boil what you need Having a brew? Only boil as much water as you need

Download our checklist to keep track of your progress.

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Saving to buy a home can be difficult and sometimes feels completely out of reach – but that isn’t the case, thanks to One Vision Housing’s Rent to Buy scheme.

RENT TO BUY: What it is and how it works

Whether you’re a first-time buyer struggling to save for a deposit whilst renting, a Rent to Buy scheme could help you purchase your dream home.

What is Rent to Buy?

What is Shared Ownership?

Rent to Buy is a government scheme designed to help you transition from renting a property, to buying a home.

Shared Ownership is a scheme that will enable you to buy a share of your home – meaning a smaller mortgage and a reduced deposit.

You’ll commit to rent a new build property for a set length of time (normally five years) and will have the opportunity to purchase it before your tenancy ends.

How does Rent to Buy work?

With more affordable rent (around 20% less than the market price) you will be able to save towards a deposit and buy the home that you are in through Shared Ownership and may also be able to purchase your home outright.

Initially, shares will be available from 10% to 75% of the property value, depending on affordability.

After your first share purchase, you can then either gradually increase your shares over time (this is called staircasing) or purchase the remaining shares outright.

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Do I have to buy my home?

Am I eligible for Rent to Buy?

At the beginning of a tenancy agreement, you will confirm your intentions to purchase the property if, and when financially possible.

You may be eligible for a Rent to Buy property if you:

What happens if I can’t buy my home after five years?

If you are unable to purchase your home, alternative rental options will be provided, and you may be able to stay in the home you live in.

• Are a first-time buyer • Used to own a home, but can’t afford to buy one now • Have a good credit history • Have a household income of £60,000 per year or less (this includes you and anyone you will live with, including a partner or friend)

Interested in a Rent to Buy scheme?

Explore our range of homes.

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Developments by

ONE VISION HOUSING Are you interested in progressing on to a Rent to Buy or Shared Ownership property?

We have a range of high quality, affordable homes coming soon.

New developments coming soon

Morris Meadows Park Lane, Netherton

Barton Brook Green Garstang Road, Preston

Explore our developments and register your interest.

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Conway Point We are delighted to be bringing a new development of 46 one and two bedroom apartments to Birkenhead this Summer.

Available through Rent to Buy, these modern apartments are ideally located close to Birkenhead town centre, and just 10 minutes away from Liverpool.

Register your interest here.

Features: • Open plan living areas • Contemporary kitchens and bathrooms • Intercom security system • Integrated bike and bin stores

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Sewers and Drains

EXPLAINED With pipes hidden away from view inside your home and under the ground, it’s important to know who is responsible for their upkeep, including you!

Who is responsible for pipes, gutters, and drains?

Who is responsible for road gutters/gullies?

Pipes, gutters, and drains in and around your home remain your responsibility, including drains within the boundary of your property.

Your local council is responsible for the small grate-covered openings (road gullies) at the edge of roads. If you are worried about a potential blockage, find out who your local authority is online and contact them.

Shared drains are common in apartments, terraces, and semidetached homes. If your drain meets together with a neighbour’s, before it reaches the public sewer, this will be United Utilities responsibility.

Who is responsible for public sewers?

United Utilities are responsible for large public sewers that take wastage and rainwater run-off to specialist treatment centres, including the waste from your home.

Think you’ve got a leaking pipe? Call us on 0300 365 1111 or report a repair through My Account.

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Top tips to reduce damp, mould and condensation in your home Turn your heating on By keeping your heating on at a consistent temperature, you’ll reduce condensation Open your windows Ensure your windows are on when showering and cooking to reduce moisture and improve ventilation Use ventilation fans Many kitchens and bathrooms have ventilation fans, make sure you use them Clean air vents Ensure your vents are clean and are not blocked by furniture Wipe down surfaces Clean all surfaces, especially windows, windowsills and walls to prevent mould Dry your washing outdoors Reduce moisture by drying your clothes outdoors in Spring and Summer, and on maidens in your bathroom in Autumn and Winter

Download our checklist to keep track of your progress.

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We’re

HERE TO HELP No-one should have to heat, eat or live with financial worry. If you are struggling, there may be ways that One Vision Housing and your local council can help.

Help

Sefton

Liverpool

Wirral

Helpline

0345 140 0845

0151 233 3000

0151 606 20

Rent

sefton.gov.uk

liverpool.gov.uk

wirral.gov.u

Council Tax

sefton.gov.uk

liverpool.gov.uk

wirral.gov.u

Utilities

sefton.gov.uk

liverpool.gov.uk

wirral.gov.u

Household Items

sefton.gov.uk

liverpool.gov.uk

wirral.gov.u

Food

sefton.gov.uk

liverpool.gov.uk

wirral.foodbank

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St Helens

Cheshire East

Cheshire West

000

01744 676789

0300 123 5500

0300 123 8123

uk

sthelens.gov.uk

cheshireeast.gov.uk

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

uk

sthelens.gov.uk

cheshireeast.gov.uk

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

uk

sthelens.gov.uk

cheshireeast.gov.uk

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

uk

sthelens.gov.uk

cheshireeast.gov.uk

livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

k.org.uk

trusselltrust.org sthelens.gov.uk

midcheshire.foodbank. org.uk

westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk

Need additional support?

Explore our welfare and benefits advice, or get in touch with our friendly team today.

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Retirement living

COMMUNITIES Know someone ready to move to a Retirement Housing Scheme?

We have seven purpose-built schemes available for those aged 60+, or 55+ for those with a health concern.

Made up of self-contained flats which offer privacy and security, each of our schemes are also home to communal lounges, gardens and a variety of regular social activities.

St John’s Court, Waterloo, L22 £142 per week

Orrell Lodge, Bootle £152 per week

Brooks Court, Birkenhead, CH41 £133 per week

Kenyons Lodge, Maghull, L31 £156 per week

Explore our Independent Living properties.

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Household

CONTENTS INSURANCE You can insure your belongings from as little as 84p a week thanks to our partners, RSA Insurance Group.

With an exclusive deal for One Vision Housing’s customers, RSA Insurance Group will give you peace of mind that should the worst happen, you’ll be covered.

What is contents insurance?

What does contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance covers the personal items within your property, from damage or theft, so all the things that you would take with you when moving house.

• Furniture

How much does it cost?

• Cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery etc

Starting from as little as 84p a week for a Simple package and £1 a week for Simple+ package, your contents insurance will depend on the value of items within your home.

• Cleaning equipment

• Linens and bedding • Carpets, flooring, fixtures, and fittings • Kitchen and household appliances

• Food and drink • Domestic tools • TVs • Valuables • Clothes

Interested in signing up?

Visit the website to learn more.

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Social

VALUE We were pleased to generate over £3 million in social value over the festive period, with 1,495 beneficiaries across Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral.

• 270 young people • 40 veterans in were supported in Southport were the community thanks served a hearty to Capsticks and One Christmas dinner Vision Housing, with through Veterans pallets of toys donated in Sefton, thanks to to Livingstone Street the sponsorship and Play & Community volunteering.

Centre and Netherton • Afternoon tea was Park Neighbourhood hand delivered to 315 Centre. The Kindfulness customers across the Café were awarded housing association’s a grant through retirement schemes the Community including Brooks Court, Development Fund Mill Spring Court, St which allowed them to Johns Court, Orrell purchase toys and food Lodge, Kenyons Lodge, for their own project.

Fernley Grange and Bishops Court.

• Food and hygiene pallets were delivered to combat food poverty, reaching 870 people through St Leonards Church Foodbank, Veterans HQ, Wirral Foodbank, Sefton Opera, Light for Life, The Brunswick Youth & Community Centre and Victoria Centre.

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£3m

Over £3 million in social value generated by Our initiatives over Christmas

Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing at The Sovini Group said:

“We are incredibly proud of our Stakeholder Engagement Team having generated over £15.5 million in social value during 2020/21, and a further £3 million over the Christmas period this year.

The team have been instrumental in creating opportunities and changing the lives of people within our communities across the Liverpool City Region and beyond through their amazing CSR activities.”

Know a community group in need?

Apply for funding from our Community Development Fund

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Celerating our colleagues during

NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK Earlier this year we shone a spotlight on colleagues to raise the profile of careers in housing in support of National Careers Week.

Karen Lee, Project Manager

Marie Boyd, Financial Inclusion Officer

Karen has worked for us for over four years and describes her role as diverse and rewarding.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Marie has worked for us for nearly nine years and describes her role as a challenging, busy, and rewarding.

offer training which is second to none.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career?

Enabling a person to make an informed choice, by giving them the best possible information to make that decision.

I have worked for various registered social landlords What advice would you for over 40 years and love give to someone starting my job. The pleasure I get their career? from seeing a housing scheme through from Believe in yourself and inception to completion, your ability and never give knowing the appreciation up…oh and be punctual! of the families we are able to provide a home to is my favourite thing.

Volunteer! Your local Citizens Advice centre will

What is your favourite part of your job?

21 - INVISION - ISSUE 1 - 2022 Neil has worked for us for over 13 years and describes his role as strategic, challenging and rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career?

Neil Kenwright, Neighbourhood Services Manager

Keep learning and developing, whilst listening to others and asking for advice.

Paula has worked for us for 12 years and describes her role as exciting, enjoyable, and varied.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career?

Paula Robinson, Operations Director

Explore what excites you most, to discover what you are passionate about.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I am performance driven, so achieving our objectives is easily my favourite part. I also love helping my colleagues to improve their skills and gain promotions. I feel really proud to see how well they are all doing.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Providing excellent homes and services to our customers and supporting them throughout their journey with us. Our support is helping to change people’s lives, whether this is through Independent Living or helping customers onto the property ladder through Shared Ownership.

Interested in starting your career with one of the UK’s best Workplaces?

Explore our careers: sovini.co.uk

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Anti-social

BEHAVIOUR We are committed to ensuring our customers enjoy their homes and have a dedicated team who work hard to make our communities a better place, without anti-social behaviour.

Our Team • tackle anti-social behaviour • help victims, witnesses and vulnerable people dealing with anti-social behaviour issues • improve neighbourhoods • develop community spirit

Some customers recently commented on our service and said: “Thank you to my Community Safety Officer, who kept me going when I was at my lowest. I really do appreciative all the help and support that he gave me.”

“I’m thrilled with service and couldn’t have asked for more.”

99%

of ASB cases were responded to within 24 hours during 2021/22.

If you are being affected by anti-social behaviour, please get in touch via 0300 365 1111 or visit the website to find out more

“My Community Safety Officer was so supportive and went above and beyond.”

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Get in touch

?

ovh.org.uk 0300 365 1111* enquiries@ovh.org.uk @ovhousing facebook.com/ovhousing

The information inside this newsletter was correct at time of publication. For the most up-to-date information, please visit ovh.org.uk.

@onevisionhousing One Vision Housing One Vision Housing is part of The Sovini Group

*8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

Emergency repairs, 24 hours, 7 days a week

respect ASB charter for housing

with the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group

05/22

Certificate Number 2771 ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 27701

If you need assistance understanding the information in this document, please contact us on 0300 365 1111.

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