November Customer Newsletter 2021

Your customer newsletter

Issue 56 | November 2021

Winners Announced See the full list of winners on Page 3

We’re going

digital

This will be the last printed publication

Page 2

and teams for s er om st cu r ou , rs ke or yw to all NHS staff, ke continuing to play their part in keeping our community safe

Thank you for your feedback on how we send you publications We all got more used to receiving publications digitally during Covid. You told us you prefer to receive information digitally.

This will be the last printed publication, which will save us £12,000 a year.

We understand that not everyone is digital and we want to make sure that our publications are accessible for everyone and meets everyone’s needs. If you would like a publication in a different format please email feedback@stockporthomes.org or message us on social media.

Our 2020/21 Annual Report is now also available to watch at

www.stockporthomes.org/annual-reports

If you would like the Annual Report in a different format please email feedback@stockporthomes.org

Getting in touch

Our teams are always on hand to help with any questions you have. You can get in touch with us via our social media channels, which are monitored 7 days a week between 9am and 8pm.

@StockportHomes You can also contact us through our webchat function on the Stockport Homes website during office hours.

Our reception is now back open to customers; check our website for the latest opening hours.

You can also contact us on

0161 217 6016 and then select the option you need.

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Gardening allows us to connect with the natural world from the comfort of our own homes; an opportunity to add a splash of personality by creatively brightening our spaces.

Stockport Homes’ annual Gardening Competition celebrates the passion and commitment residents have for their gardens, showcasing what is possible when we take that extra care for the place, we call home. With over 20 excellent submissions for 2021, it was no easy task for the judges to narrow down the absolute best.

The winners and runn ers-up of each category we re Best in Borough Winner – Shirley Moxh

Jean Simpson, winner of ‘Best Communal’ garden demonstrates the positive impact gardening can have on our physical, mental and social wellbeing by involving the wider community in her project.

Other winners included Brenda Coulthard for ‘Best Container’ and Linda Stead for ‘Best Fruit and Veg’.

As normality slowly resumes in our day to day lives, it’s clear that the Covid-19 pandemic brought us closer to nature than ever before, with the benefits of gardening going much further than well preserved greenspaces and charming flower beds.

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am Best Garden 1st – Shirley Moxham 2nd – Brenda Coultha rd Joint 3rd – Mandy St ewart, Beverley Armstrong Best Container Joint 1st – Mandy St ewart, Brenda Coulthard 2nd – Beverley Arms trong 3rd – Elaine Bernard Best Communal Gard en 1st – Jean Simpson 2nd – Linda Shaw 3rd – Roy Porter Best Fruit and Veg 1st – Linda Stead 2nd – Mr & Mrs Darre ll

The Universal Credit £20 weekly uplift has now ended, we know this will cause problems for many people. Have you thought about becoming a pantry member? You can get approx.

£20 worth of food for just £3.50!

We also offer a family membership at the pantries for households of three or more people? It’s £6.50 for double the amount of food items in a standard pantry shop.

In addition to the £6.50 family shop, we are offering families additional food items over the Christmas holidays – be sure to become a member to receive these goods!

Woodley Pantry (Woodley)

Penny Lane Pantry

(Lancashire Hill)

Mottram Street Pantry (Town Centre)

Pantry at Number 5

(Bridgehall)

Brinnington Pantry

Tuesday 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Thursday 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Thursday 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Thursday 3.00pm – 6.00pm

Wednesday 10.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm

Friday 10.00am – 11.30am

(Brinnington)

Friday Friday 10.00am – 1.00pm 10.00am – 1.00pm

To sign up, head to our Facebook page s or website to become a member

Your Local Pantry is looking for volunteers.

We are looking for:

• Driver volunteers able to collect supermarket donations and drop off at the pantries • Pantry shop assistants to support people shopping, open the pantry, replenish shelves and ensure the pantry is clean and tidy • Pantry delivery assistants to put away all the food stock delivered before the pantry opens

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Volunteering at the pantries offers a great experience, opening up lots of great employment opportunities to you.

Free training is provided in Food Hygiene and Manual Handling, plus various other training opportunities through Stockport Homes.

Volunteer today to give something back to your local community.

Email pantry@foundations-stockport.org or contact the Pantry Operations Officer on 07970 434134.

*Opening times correct at time of going to print

Our Employment Team offers a free service that is available to everyone, whether you are a Stockport Homes tenant or not.

We will give support that is right for you and support you to find the role that’s right for you.

With the end of the furlough scheme and the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, many people have seen their income reduce dramatically. If you have been affected by these changes or are simply looking for careers advice or a change of job, we’re here to support you.

Contact us on 0161 474 2862 or employmentsupport@stockporthomes.org | customer.training@stockporthomes.org

www.stockporthomes.org/employment-support Are you facing barriers to education, training and employment?

Face-to-face training has returned

Motiv8 offers one to one support, advice and guidance to help you get back on track and overcome your barriers

Face-to-face training has returned, and the Customer Training Team has recently been working on delivering courses that have been requested directly by customers.

Are you aged 25 or over and • not in work, education or training • living in Greater Manchester • have the right to live and work in the UK

On the lead up to Christmas an exciting range of courses are planned to include some fantastic Christmas themed crafting events in addition to our core training sessions focused on Health and Wellbeing, Employment and Community.

Keep an eye out for upcoming courses on social media or contact the team on customer.training@stockporthomes.org to join our mailing list.

Contact us to see if we can help:

Call us on 0161 331 2048 Email info@manchesterbbo.co.uk Visit www.motiv8mcr.org Visit Cornerstone to speak to one of the team

Motiv8 is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund

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FUNDING Since April 2021 Stockport Homes has helped local groups make 28 bids to funders, which has brought well over

£412,000 of grant investment into Stockport!

Ongoing Women’s Local Support (OWLS) Awarded £11,972 Drywave Recovery CIC Awarded £19,990

Has been awarded £2,000 from Manchester Airport for office equipment and £9,972 from National Lottery Awards for a project to support women in need from Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic groups.

Has been awarded £19,990 from the Workers Educational Association for a pathway towards employment project. The group works with people experiencing substance misuse and mental health challenges.

Offerton Community Café Awarded £1,000

Was awarded a £1,000 grant from the TESCO Community Grants fund, which helped to provide 150 free meals for local children.

Foundations Stockport Awarded £1,594

Has been awarded £1,594 from RTime and Police Giving Back Fund for their Football Unity youth outreach project across Stockport.

For more information, contact your Funding Officer, Mark Rogers on

0161 474 3463 or mark.rogers@stockporthomes.org

Look out for a special anniversary edition of our Community Fund which is launching soon to celebrate three years of Foundations Stockport!

More information will be available on our social media channels and Foundations website from December.

Ready, Steady, Bid!

www.foundations-stockport.org/communityfund

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E L P O E P G N U O Y R U O G SUPPORTIN es and

a number of activiti ed st ho e w s ay lid ho er m Over the sum rough, including: Bo e th ss ro ac le op pe g events for youn

Football Unity Event

Foundations for Fun

er hed this summer, and ov Foundations for Fun launc e school meals enjoyed a 50 children accessing fre with meals included. The free day of fun activities, ay Activities and Food project was run with Holid .

Department of Education the gh ou thr g din fun ) AF (H production, rapping Activities included music t, plant pot decorating, and beatboxing, graffiti ar g people were able to cooking, and baking. Youn games and chill time, as participate in a range of nity to learn about topics well as having the opportu ing, food, and nutrition. such as CV writing, hous

ople attended a new Over summer 55 young pe ball Unity’s was aim was Football Unity event. Foot le s preventing young peop to break down the barrier by achieve common goals from coming together to fitness, and encouraging teaching skills, improving others. respect for yourself and

by Nike, FireFood, The event was supported d music provided by a Foundations Stockport an neur. local young music entrepre

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‘We Love Stockport’

What a transformation!

Just look what one group of residents in Brinnington has achieved!

The area had been an issue where household items and rubbish were often dumped and was very rarely used and looked dark and uninviting.

Late last year a couple of new residents took the initiative to turn the area around and make it a place where everyone in the block could go and sit. The residents wanted it to be a focal point to help people manage with lockdown restrictions.

They have done a fantastic job: the fly tipping has stopped, and all residents are enjoying the communal area and have pride in the work they have done to transform the space.

We are keen to support any customers dealing with fly tipping and issues in their communal areas and working to make their space something to be proud of.

Please contact your Housing Officer to see what we can do to help you.

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

and Responsibly Dispose of our Plastic Many people do not realise that our plastic litter can impact marine life, even if we live many miles away from the sea.

Some 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the sea from rivers in the UK every year. Globally, plastic kills a million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals, turtles, and fish per year.

Drinks containers make up 75% of the litter found on our streets.

It is extremely important for us to recycle as much as we can. Please use the recycling facilities near to where you live to help.

Recharge Data

In the last 12 months, 77 recharges were raised to the value of £11,880, after customers were identified fly tipping rubbish and bulky items. This can significantly impact on future rehousing options. And this debt can be avoided if waste was disposed of correctly.

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Are you looking to move house soon?

Homechoice Myth Busting Are you applying to HomeChoice?

To ensure your application form gets processed without delay, please complete all fields correctly on the application form. Questions asked on the form enable us to work out your priority for housing and enable us to identify you and your application more easily. Incorrect or missing information will mean a delay for you and could prevent you being able to bid or being offered accommodation.

Whether you are looking to transfer into another Stockport Homes property or are moving away from Stockport Homes, it’s worth taking some extra time to make sure you leave your home clear and free from rubbish to avoid unnecessary and sometimes costly recharges.

Properties must be free from rubbish; this includes items you may have left behind neatly bagged up.

If you are transferring to another Stockport Homes property and have items you will struggle to remove, please talk to your Neighbourhood Housing Officer when they come to carry out your property inspection. If you are leaving Stockport Homes, your Housing Officer is still able to give you advice on how best to leave your property to avoid unnecessary charges.

Alterations

Did you know that you need to ask for permission to make any alterations in your property and garden?

We can advise on the type of alterations that are permitted and assist you with completing an application. Please contact us on PropertyServicesTechnicalSupport@stockporthomes.org or call 0161 217 6016.

We want to ensure your safety and the safety of the property and avoid unnecessary expense for you. We will only approve alterations that are fit for purpose and comply with building and planning regulations.

www.planningportal.co.uk Unsatisfactory alterations will not be approved and are likely to result in us correcting the work and recharging costs back to you.

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What is Cuckooing?

Cuckooing is a form of exploitation where drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person (who may be a drug and/or alcohol user themselves) in order to use it as a base for drug dealing.

What are the Signs?

Possible increase in anti-social behaviour

Signs of drug use, such as unusual smells coming from a property

Look out for your neighbours, especially if there has been a change in behaviour.

Evidence your Concerns

Make a note of your concerns, times, dates, what has happened and the identity or names of people coming in and out. If there is lots of noise, download our ASB app by searching ‘ReMOTE Reporting’ in your app store.

To find out more and for instructions how to upload the App to your device, please visit www.stockporthomes.org/asb-app. The page also includes a short ‘Guide for using the App’ video.

Everyone in Stockport has the right to feel safe and secure.

It is important you are safe, so do not take photographs or approach any of the people you believe may be cuckooing your neighbour.

If you are a victim or know someone who is, please tell Stockport Homes Anti-Social Behaviour Team and the Police.

Report it online at www.stockporthomes.org/anti-social-behaviour

You can also call 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or you can email the ASB Team - asbteam@stockporthomes.org.

In an emergency please dial 999.

We will keep your identity confidential where possible.

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Our investment plans

up to 2027

Thank you to everyone who took part in our investment plan survey. Following the consultation we will be looking at focussing our spend for the next 5 years on communal decorations, windows, doors, roofs, new kitchens, and bathrooms, as well as other high investment areas in energy efficiency, security, safety and enhancing external spaces.

New Heating and Hot Water Systems Coming to Lancashire Hill Over 300 low rise properties will receive new heating systems before Spring 2022.

With the weather turning and more chance of rain, we are putting procedures in place and investing in flood proofing in some properties to make you and your homes safe.

Get in touch via asset.management@stockporthomes.org or over the phone on 0161 474 3462 if you would like to discuss this subject further.

The new systems will mean greater payment flexibility for customers as well as a brand-new meter display units equipped with a range of user-friendly features to help promote efficient usage and reduce energy costs.

User guides and videos are already available on the Stockport Homes website by scanning the QR Code or contacting energy.advice@stockpothomes.org

Worried about Gas and Electricity Price Increases?

There has been a lot in the news recently about large increases to gas and electricity prices. As we approach the autumn and winter months, you may be feeling concerned about how this might affect you and your household. Our Energy Solutions Team are available to provide expert advice and support to help reduce your energy costs, apply for winter discounts and find cheaper tariffs.

If you would like to speak to one of the team or arrange a home visit

please call 0161 474 4062 or email energy.advice@stockporthomes.org 12

Did you know in 2020/21

205

the Fire Service attended

incidents at SHG properties

The cost of the Fire Service attending a false alarm is

£428

were false alarms

34

per engine

at a tower block, the fire service will send a minimum of 4 or 5 engines

were actual fires

Cooking is one of the highest reported reasons for fires and false alarms, visit our website for tips on safer cooking www.stockporthomes.org 13

Do you Want to Work at Carecall and make Stockport a Better Place to Live?

You could help your local Stockport community stay safe and secure while doing shift work and earning up to £22.5K a year.

All you need is a great attitude and a driving licence. Whether you have had previous roles as a carer, nurse, or something else in the community, Carecall could be the next place for you!

We are regularly looking for people to join our Carecall Concierge Team and so, whether you're looking for bank work, something part-time, or even a full-time role, there will be an option for you. All Carecall jobs on offer are varied and very rewarding. Carecall's service operates 24/7/365 and our officers work shifts which include a selection of earlies (6.45am-2.45pm), lates (2.30pm-10.30pm) and nights (10pm-7am).

All of our officers know their shifts 16 weeks in advance.

Our Carecall posts require you to hold a full UK driving licence.

However, your own vehicle is NOT essential.

Want to find out more?

Email carecall@stockporthomes.org and someone will be in touch.

All roles on offer are extremely rewarding and will see you help lives and serve the community.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business

If you are concerned that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is being harmed or abused you must act.

Abuse can take many forms and includes: • Being physically beaten and injured • Being left alone and not supervised • Being called names, being bullied and humiliated • Being sexually abused or exploited

• Being neglected by not having basic needs such as food, clothing and safe and comfortable surroundings provided • Misusing someone’s property or income • People from all walks of life and in all settings can be abused

Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults (i.e. protecting them from harm) is everyone’s responsibility and if you have concerns you must pass this information on.

If you think someone is in immediate danger then please ring the police on 999.

If your concerns are not at that level you should still pass the information on by contacting Social Care on 0161 217 6029 (Children) and 0161 217 6028 (Adults) - they will discuss your concerns with you and advise on next steps. If you wish to raise a concern outside of office hours contact 0161 718 2118 (Children and Adults).

You do not have to say who you are when raising concerns although this does help to confirm information, however the most important thing is that you pass your concerns on.

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New & Improved

Web Chat coming soon Since January 2021 you have been able to speak to a member of our One Number Team direct from the Stockport Homes website using our live chat facility.

To open a chat, you just click on the green speech bubble in the bottom right-hand corner and type in your question and a member of the team will reply.

The live chat is available 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday and we currently receive around 100 chats a week.

The feedback we have received has been great, with customers receiving quick answers to their queries.

In December we will be improving the web chat further by adding the ability to direct you to pages on our website to answer your query.

So, for example, if you ask, “How do I get permission to have a pet in my home?” you will be shown a link to the pet permission form. This automated part of the web chat will also be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can get quick answers to your queries whenever you need them!

Get Involved in Improving the Stockport Homes Website!

We are starting work on updating the Stockport Homes website to make it even easier to find the information you, our customers, need. To make sure the website meets your needs, we are looking for customers who would like to be involved.

You do not need to be a website wizard to get involved, anyone is welcome!

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Repairs Delays

As the world gets back to some kind of normal, our Three Sixty Team are working hard to deliver repairs across the Borough.

However following the various lockdowns, we are currently experiencing a backlog and higher volume of some repairs, particularly joinery and plastering works. This has meant that in some instances we are missing our usual appointment timeframe for repairs and we are doing all we can to bring this back in line.

We have successfully recruited additional staff to tackle the volume of repairs over the past month and we are already seeing the appointment times beginning to reduce. We expect these times to continue to reduce going forward with a view to being back on target in the New Year. We thank all of our customers for your continued patience.

If you have a repair to report – you can do it easily online by visiting

www.stockporthomes.org 16

Community News Customer Roadshow 2021 how customers who Our Customer Roadshow focused on involved with building live in high-rise blocks preferred to be We door knocked just safety work and customer wellbeing. completed surveys on over 1,000 properties and 440 people you for your time if their doorstep or by telephone - thank you were one of them! k place, with lots of fun “Connecting Communities” events too e already held a further and free activities for all ages. We hav your feedback and will Connecting Communities event after ough in 2022. continue to run events around the Bor to create an annual The feedback given to us will be used can have their say on programme of events, so customers . Over 80% of people building safety in their neighbourhood would be happy to get who completed the survey said they p ins. involved in future surveys, events or dro to get involved will Anyone that expressed an interest Engagement Team, already have been contacted by the you in the near future! so we look forward to speaking to live If you haven’t already signed up and the Customer in a high-rise block, please contact 1 or email us at Engagement Team on 0161 218 109 mes.org. customer.engagement@stockportho

Winter Welfare Visits

Coming soon! Winter Welfa re visits to over 500 older, vulnerab le and sometimes isolated custome rs across the Borough. We will be de livering a Winter Welfare pack conta ining a wide variety of information on fire safety, energy advice, adaptations, Carecall, keeping warm/winter disco unt, falls prevention, winter recipes, hydration & malnutrition, benefit chec ks and our very own social activities ca lendar.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a Winter Welfare visit, pleas e call the Independent Living Team on 0161 474 3773.

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lp Age UK Stockport Handy He t ou s & Gardening Service carrie or minor repairs, improvements ey pride adaptations in the home. Th h quality themselves on friendly and hig prices. service, with very competitive

home If you have a small job in the n, don’t or garden that needs attentio ckport. hesitate to contact Age UK Sto Contact them by telephone on : 0161 480 1211 or by email on uk rg. rt.o Handyhelp@ageukstockpo

Stockport Homes

Customer Scrutiny Panel The Customer Scrutiny Panel plays a vital role in ensuring customers are at the heart of everything we deliver.

We do this by: • Providing a way for customers to influence our priorities, housing policies and procedures • Recommending further improvements to services based on a customer’s perspective • Holding us to account for the services delivered

There are currently six customers on the panel who come from across the Borough. The panel meets every fortnight and is supported by staff and an external mentor through the entire process.

Each Year, We Aim to Complete at least Two Service Reviews This year we have completed reviews on telephone service that customers call when contacting Stockport Homes. We also completed a review of the Customer Safety Service, who ensure that customers receive their gas safety check and an electrical test.

We are making a number of recommendations about how we think these aspects of the service could be improved.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Customer Scrutiny Panel and how to get involved, please visit stockporthomes.org/customer-scrutiny-panel If you’ve got any ideas about areas we should look at, you can send those to us via the online form.

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Board Update

We have welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors as we continue to deliver our vision to transform lives and the communities we serve.

Priti Butler

Priti Butler joins as an Independent Board Member, bringing a wealth of experience from her role as Executive Director of Big Life Group, a social enterprise operating in Greater Manchester and the North West. With over 29 years in leading and developing public services, Priti’s strong values of empowerment and resilience make her a perfect fit for the role.

Anila Khalid

Alongside Priti, we also welcome Anila Khalid, Head of Neighbourhoods at Great Places Housing Group, to the board.

Having worked within the social housing sector since the 1990s, Anila’s abundance of knowledge, passion for mental health and using profit for purpose will be a huge asset.

The board also said goodbye to Alanna Vine after 9 years of service, leaving behind a legacy of passion and commitment. Alanna’s journey will continue within the group as a board member on Foundations Stockport.

We are proud to be part of Houseproud NW which looks at LGBT+ issues in the social housing sector across the North West.

As part of this initiative, the customer group ‘Rainbow Roofs’ has been set up for LGBT+ tenants. The group meets once a month and focuses on raising the voices of LGBT+ customers and the issues that may affect them.

For more information please contact martin.handley@stockporthomes.org For further information please see the following on Twitter

@RoofsRainbow

@Houseproud_NW

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Estate Walkabouts Our Neighbourhood Housing Officers will be walking your estates on the below dates to check your communities are safe and tidy, if you are aware of anything please make our Housing Officers aware before the scheduled date by calling them.

December

November

Date

Time

Meeting Point

Estate

Housing Officer

19/11/2021

2.30pm

Outside Pantry Shop, Siddington Avenue

Bridgehall

Paul Spencer

19/11/2021

10.00am

Meet at Foliage Gardens

Brinnington

Angela Hill

22/11/2021

10.00am

Meet at the junction of Lapwing Lane and Matley Green

Brinnington

Wayne Hurst

23/11/2021

10.00am

Meet on the corner of Blackbrook Road and Marbury Road

Heaton Chapel

Louise Foster

25/11/2021

10.00am

Meet on the corner of Stainmoor Court and Alfreton Road

Alfreton Road, Offerton

Bethany Milligan

02/12/2021

10.00am

Meet at Shawcross Street bottom carpark

Higher Hillgate

Lisa Hayhurst

07/21/21

10.00am

Meet at the corner of Betley Road/Criterion Street

North Reddish

Simone Nash

08/12/2021

10.30am

Meet outside No. 1 Hillside Grove

Marple Bridge

Claire Richardson

10/12/2021

2.30pm

Meet at CCTV point

Walnut Tree Estate

Paul Spencer

13/12/2021

10.00am

Meet at the junction of Lapwing Lane and Matley Green

Brinnington

Wayne Hurst

14/12/2021

10.00am

Meet at the corner of Cabot Place outside No. 1

South Reddish

Louise Foster

15/12/2021

10.00am

Meet at Russell Gardens, Didsbury Road Estate

Heaton Norris

Nichola Halford

16/12/2021

10.00am

Meet outside 2 Reeman Close, Oldham Drive Estate

Woodley

Jackie Heapy

22/12/2021

10.00am

Meet on the corner of Hardberry Place and Half Moon Lane

Half Moon Lane, Offerton

Bethany Milligan

You can get free copies of newsletters and other documents from Stockport Homes on audiotape, CD or in large print.

For more information, please contact Phil Rhodes: on telephone 0161 474 2860 text 07891 949 399, email phil.rhodes@stockporthomes.org 20