Gardening event at Cheatle Court

Sheltered Housing Scheme Gardening event

‘Plant a Pot with a Royal Wedding Theme’

Cheatle Court 27 April 2011

Royal Wedding 29 April 2011 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Contents Page 3 Seniors United working group Page 3 Letters to tenants / Independent Living Managers Page 4 Invite sent to tenants, partners and Lord Mayor of Tamworth Page 4 Who was in attendance on the day?

Page 5 Risk assessments Page 5 The event itself Page 6-7 The event in pictures Page 8 Post event questionnaire and responses Page 8 Was it worth it and will we be doing another one?

Page 8 Thank you Page 9 How to contact us

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‘Seniors United’ working group Seniors United is a group of sheltered scheme residents who meet at Marmion House or at various schemes to discuss housing issues relevant to sheltered accommodation.

It was suggested that a gardening event involving the schemes was held.

However, this would have been too big an event and too costly for us to manage. After further discussions with the group it was suggested that the event became a ‘Plant a Pot’ as sheltered housing tenants have varying degrees of mobility difficulties. The pots could be planted inside or outside of the schemes and within easy reach of those people taking part to give everyone the chance to join in.

It was agreed that a letter should be sent to all sheltered housing residents to inform and encourage residents of the forthcoming event and to tie it into the Royal Wedding theme.

Letter to tenants / Independent Living Managers A questionnaire was sent to all sheltered scheme tenants to see if they would like to take part in an event at their scheme. When all the responses were collected, the three schemes who said they would like an event were put forward to the next stage of planning.

Tenants were told that anyone could become involved in a way that suits them from planting a pot, making a hanging basket or just enjoying the company of other people. They were not required to make a commitment to help and could change their mind later if their circumstances changed.

“Happy with today. I couldn’t do much but I enjoyed it in a way that suited me.” Mrs Marklew, tenant

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Invitation sent to tenants

Invitation sent to staff, partners and the Mayor to attend the event.

The Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Lee Bates, was invited to attend the event and to join in planting pots.

Who was in attendance on the day?

Leanne Allwood Tenant participation manager Diane Hughes Tenant participation assistant Helen Rich Tenant participation- administration support Councillor Lee Bates Mayor of Tamworth Alan Marshall Caretaker Stuart Jackson Caretaker Tracey Johnson Housing Officer Trevor Wylie Caretaking Team Leader (not there on the day but gave us a lot of help before the event) Jean Drake Independent Living Manager 4

A meeting was held between the tenant participation team and the caretaking team to consider what could be achieved on the day. It was decided: Tenants would be encouraged to plant a pot or a hanging basket.

Flowers, pots, hanging baskets, compost and Royal Wedding paraphernalia would be provided by the tenant participation team.

Bunting was donated by the Caretaking Team.

Support would be offered to less mobile tenants on the day.

No large work would be carried out at this small event, for example, hedges or trees.

Risk assessments A risk assessment and health and safety concerns were discussed between the caretaking team leader and the tenant participation team.

Councillor Lee Bates Mayor of Tamworth Stuart and Alan Caretaking team.

Leanne Allwood Tenant participation manager

The event The event at Cheatle Court was held on Wednesday 27 April 2011. The event itself was well attended with more than 20 tenants taking part on the day. Councillor Lee Bates, Mayor of Tamworth, assisted on the day.

Everyone involved was dressed in red, white and blue to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

On the day each tenant in attendance was issued with a raffle ticket and entered into the free prize draw to win one of several prizes.

Everyone was encouraged to plant a pot or hanging basket of their choice with the assistance of the teams available and in a way that suited them.

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The event in pictures

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“My mother really enjoyed it and I thought it was a very kind gesture that all the family were invited to join in�. Mrs Dolan, daughter of tenant.

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Post event responses from questionnaire 100% of respondents stated that they are very satisfied with the completed sheltered housing scheme gardening event that they were involved in.

100% of respondents stated that they are very satisfied with how they were kept informed about the project.

100% of respondents stated that they are very satisfied that their views were taken into account during the planning of the project.

Tenants were asked what they felt the key benefits of the project are. The following responses were noted;• 100% of respondents stated that it ‘Encouraged a group of residents to work together on a project’.

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100% of respondents stated that it ‘Promoted a positive image of Sheltered Schemes in Tamworth’.

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100% of respondents stated that it ‘Encouraged local community action amongst tenants and residents’.

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100% of respondents stated ‘Everyone had a chance to participate in a way that suited them’.

Was it worth it and will we be doing another one?

The event was very successful for all concerned and will be considered for other sheltered schemes in the borough.

Thank you The tenant participation team would like to say a special thank you to all involved in making the event a success: To all the wonderful tenants and their families who were involved in making the event successful and a real pleasure to work alongside.

Jean Drake, Independent Living Manager at Cheatle Court, was an excellent support both before the event, encouraging participation, and on the day.

Councillor Lee Bates Mayor of Tamworth The caretaking team: Stuart, Alan and their team leader, Trevor for all their hard work and dedication to the event.

“I am very happy with the event. I got involved and enjoyed myself.

Thank you”. Mrs Belcher, tenant.

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How to contact us in the future If you would like a copy of this document then please contact the tenant participation team on:

Telephone: 01827 709448 Freephone: 0800 183 0454 Tenant Participation Team Tamworth Borough Council Marmion House Lichfield Street Tamworth Staffordshire B79 7BZ Alternatively visit our website

http://www.tamworth.gov.uk/housing/tenant_participation.aspx

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

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