atHome Spring 2015

atHome

Barnet Homes Residents’ Magazine

Issue 46 | Spring 2015

barnethomes.org | twitter.com/barnethomes1 | facebook.com/barnethomes

You can do it too

Read about our apprentice scheme helping residents back into work, pages 8-9

Thank you to Tracey Lees, pages 18-19 Youth support projects, pages 22-23

CONTENTS

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE

this issue 4

News in brief

7

Robert Heath Heating

8

Meet our apprentices

11

17

West Hendon Youth Project

18

Farewell and thank you Tracey Lees

Assist service

20

12

Leaseholder news

14

32

Major works

33

Data Protection

34

Fire safety

Involving residents

35

Waste and recycling

22

Youth engagement

35

Dementia support

Benefit changes

24

Rental income

15

Courses and training

28

Housing Options

16

@Loveburntoak

29

Universal Credit

16

Finest Flowers

30

Flexible tenancies

how to contact us

Freephone 0800 389 5225 (translators available) | This is also our 24-hour emergency number.

Text us

07903 324 192

Minicom

020 8359 5212

Email

talk2us@barnethomes.org

Online

barnethomes.org

Gas repairs

0800 389 5225

Leaseholder repairs service

020 3589 3071

Leaseholder Services Team

020 8359 6020

Right to Buy applications and enquiries

020 8359 6020

Pay your rent or service charges

0845 356 3456 (24 hours) or barnet.gov.uk

Local numbers

Grahame Park, West Hendon, Stonegrove and Spur Road 020 8359 2929

Our offices

Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Whetstone, N20 0EJ Grahame Park Office, 17 The Concourse, Grahame Park Estate, Colindale, NW9 5XA

Assist service

020 8359 4841 or assist@barnethomes.org

Local housing surgery

Valley Centre, 38 Homefield, Dollis Valley, EN5 2UJ (Every other Wednesday from 2.30pm-3.30pm)

2 | atHome Spring 2015

INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE

a word from our interim Chief Executive After six and a half years our Chief Executive, Tracey Lees has left to take up a role at Wandle Housing Association.

Our loss is Wandle’s gain and I am sure you join me in wishing Tracey all the best in her new role. It’s my honour to be given the opportunity to act as Interim Chief Executive and we hope that Tracey’s permanent successor will have joined us by the end of 2015.

On the cover: Barnet Homes’ apprentice Sasha Knell with her two children.

In the meantime we will shortly have the implications of the General Election to reflect upon and a new long term management agreement to finalise with Barnet Council.

The Council will also be finalising their Housing Strategy. These three areas will heavily influence the future of the services we deliver to you over the next five to ten years and we look forward to

WELCOME

providing more information on these areas over the next few years.

In the immediate, we have been doing lots of work to support our residents affected

by Welfare Reform changes, turn to page 24 for more information on where you can find help and advice.

Four years ago, government changes meant that we had to change the way we let our tenancies to make sure tenants in the most priority need are housed. Flexible tenancies are the future of social housing so I am pleased that a number of our tenants say that it’s given them the chance for a more stable life.

Tracey bids farewell to Barnet Homes residents on page 18.

We wish her all the very best.

Troy Henshall

about atHome

If you have any comments or questions about atHome, please write to: The Editor, Barnet Homes, 9th Floor, Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 0EJ. Email atHome@barnethomes.org Editor: Melanie Dias | Article contributors: Tamara Wright & Cristina Morales Design: Andrzej Perkins atHome Spring 2015 | 3

NEWS

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE

news in brief

be a part of our website transformation We have started the process of re-designing our three websites: The Barnet Group, Barnet Homes and Your Choice Barnet.

new development launched at Bedford Road

The development of 40 new homes to be built across six sites in Barnet has now begun. The start of building works on Bedford Road in Mill Hill, NW7 was officially launched on 30 January by The Worshipful The Mayor of The London Borough of Barnet, Councillor Hugh Rayner.

He was joined by The Barnet Group’s Chair Terry Rogers as well as members of our Development Team, contractors Bugler Developments and the Employer’s Agent Walker Management.

Along with the other homes to be built in Brent Place, EN5 (Underhill); Haldane Close, N10 (Coppetts); Green Lane, HA8 (Edgware); Tarling Road, N2 (East Finchley); and Wade Court, N10 (Coppetts), all 40 homes on this programme will be let in accordance with Barnet Council’s allocations policy for affordable rent, increasing the Council’s supply of social housing. The homes will be completed on a staggered basis, all to be built by spring 2016.

Twitter: @TBG_Development 4 | atHome Spring 2015

The websites are being completely redesigned to make them easy to use, simple to find what you are looking for and best serve your needs online.

We need your help to do this and encourage you to be a part of transforming our websites by taking part in our redesign survey. To do the survey, visit bit.ly/tbgwebsurvey, it will only a take a minute.

Alternatively, email your thoughts to andrzej.perkins@ barnethomes.org

NEWS

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE

share your skills through Timebank Barnet

Timebanking is a way for local people and organisations to volunteer to share their time, skills and resources. It works by someone giving an hour of their time.

For example, by helping a neighbour do some gardening for an hour, in return, someone could teach you another language, or help you with other tasks that are waiting to be done. You can also donate your time ‘credits’ to a friend or neighbour who may need some help or just someone to have a cup of tea with.

Timebank Barnet is working successfully with partners across Barnet, including Barnet Homes on an IT literacy scheme, as well as with its Sheltered Housing schemes. Here the Timebank has provided support with befriending, DIY, and for some of the residents to teach their skills, such as sewing.

Get in touch to find out how you can share time and skills. Call 07887 249910 or email barnet@timebanks.co.uk. The Timebank scheme is also always looking for partners to develop new areas of work and would very much welcome further input.

worried about how to vote when moving home?

There’s no need to worry as there are several ways you can vote.

If you are currently on the electoral register, you will remain registered at your current address (even if you move) until you re-register at your new address.

If you have moved and haven’t yet re-registered, you can still vote at your previous polling station but remember to give your old address on arrival.

You can also apply for a postal vote. This can be done from now, with the last date to register for a postal vote being 21 April by 5pm.

If you are moving earlier than 21 April you can apply now for a postal vote and have it sent to your new address, there is a place on the application form to do this.

You can register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote or call 020 8359 5577 atHome Spring 2015 | 5

NEWS

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE

spring clean and Easter egg hunt 2015 right to buy Please join us for the first Grahame Park Community Event of 2015 and help give the Concourse the love it deserves.

You can enjoy a great workout in the fresh air by getting involved for example, in painting wooden benches and railings, and planting the communal garden and hanging baskets. And there are also lots of fun and games to be had with music, an Easter egg hunt and a BBQ – so spread the word!

If you are interested, email julia.leszczak@ barnethomes.org.

for your calendar

When: Wednesday 1 April Time: 10am-3pm Where: Grahame Park Concourse, NW9 5XA

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discount increase

The Right to Buy maximum discount will increase from £100,000 to £103,900 on 6 April 2015. Changes to the legislation implemented on 21 July 2014 have meant that the discount is now index linked to the Consumer Price Index. However, unlike last year the increased discount will not be applied retrospectively. Therefore tenants with a live right to buy application wishing to take advantage of the increased discount will need to cancel the existing application and submit a new one.

ensuring people in real housing need are not disadvantaged

Right to Buy fraud has increased by more than 400% nationally since the maximum discount increased in 2012. It is for this reason that Barnet Homes and the London Borough of Barnet in common with other social housing providers, are committed to identifying and taking action to eliminate criminal and anti-social behaviour of this nature. This is to ensure that families in real housing need are not disadvantaged by it.

Tenants making genuine applications with a view to getting a foot on the housing ladder should not be concerned about the process although it may at times seem unnecessarily intrusive.

For more advice about exercising your right to buy, contact Barnet Homes’ Leaseholder Services Team on 020 8359 4812.

For independent advice about the process, you can now contact the Right to Buy Agent Service on 0300 123 0913.

ROBERT HEATH HEATING

first time Access Fund

Let Robert Heath Heating gain access into your home to issue your new gas safety certificate - and help them raise money for a worthy cause!

Chairman of the residents’ Performance Advisory Group, John Davies (pictured below left) explains: “During the contract negotiations, Robert Heath Heating agreed to pay £1 every time a resident allowed them first time access to carry out the annual gas safety check. It is anticipated this will raise between £5,000 and £7,000 per year and will be a significant sum of money to go to local groups and charities to fund community based projects.

“Details of how to apply are below and the Fund will be administered by Barnet Homes’ Senior Community Engagement Officer, Deborah Beckford and myself as well as two other members. So it

REPAIRS

is down to all tenants to play their part and allow Robert Heath Heating access first time. This will add more to the fund and cut down on the contractor having to reschedule appointments.

“It is important that you have gas and heating checked annually - not only for your own safety but it will add to the fund as this will help to fund projects for the community.”

The first round of the First Time Access Fund goes live on 1 April. Applications will be available by emailing Getinvolved@barnethomes. org to request a copy in the post or email. Or you can download it from our website or call 020 8359 5307 for a copy.

Remember, it is important to get your gas and heating checked for your own safety... AND ALWAYS ask for the engineer’s identity!

atHome Spring 2015 | 7

Pictured L-R: Sasha Knell, Sabina Hashish, Crystal Dennis, Rita Tessera, Susan Hall, Nicola Moses-Brown

2014 saw the fourth year of our apprenticeship scheme, with six new apprentices (pictured above) being placed in roles across Barnet Homes. We are also investing in training and employment by funding college day release once a week so they can study for a nationally recognised qualification. Here’s what they had to say about their experience so far.

Sasha Knell – Community Engagement Before starting my apprenticeship I worked parttime caring for the elderly, but when my youngest son started school full-time I decided I wanted to further my career opportunities. I am really enjoying my role, guiding residents in to training courses, work clubs and other apprenticeship schemes.

I attended a ceremony for residents who had passed their courses and it was great to see them celebrate their achievements. I am gaining invaluable knowledge and enjoy sharing this experience with the other apprentices.

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Sabina Hashish – Rental Income I would definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship at Barnet Homes. Since being here I have blended in really well with the team. It’s a busy role and alongside my apprenticeship, I attend Barnet and Southgate College where I am completing Level 2 in Business and Administration. Before I started the apprenticeship I worked at this college for five years as a receptionist. Now my plan is to keep my options open by obtaining new skills and qualifications with Barnet Homes.

Crystal Dennis – Rental Income / Leasehold I started with the Rental Income Team and am currently working for the Leasehold Team, providing administrative support for both teams – I’ve also shadowed the busy homelessness reception and our Contact Centre. The reception duty gave me a real sense of achievement, knowing I’ve been able to help people with their situation. A lot of my family are in banking and I would like to follow a career in finance so my time in Rental Income was very useful. The teams are very supportive as things haven’t always been easy for me, and that makes me happy to come to work every day.

Rita Tessera – Customer Contact Centre My apprenticeship has been an exciting new beginning for me. Prior to this I worked in retail management and worked with children but I felt like I needed to re-establish myself and get back on the career ladder. Working in the Contact Centre, my days are extremely busy! My main responsibility is to answer calls from our tenants and assist them with their queries. My days can be really hectic but I have a great team around me – everyone is so supportive and are fantastic people to work with. I found my role challenging at first but now I am more confident and find helping people so rewarding.

Susan Hall – Grahame Park Estate Regeneration Reception I provide administrational support for the team here and on reception it can get quite busy.

Being a Barnet Homes tenant myself, I can certainly relate to some of the issues they visit the office with. I had been out of work for a long time and this apprenticeship has really helped me get my confidence back.

Like the other apprentices, I’m also studying towards achieving a Level 2 in Business Administration.

Nicola Moses-Brown – Neighbourhoods One of the best aspects of my work is to go out on visits with the Anti-social Behaviour Team. I experience anything from dealing with fairly petty neighbour disputes to seeing people who need help because they are being victimised. Previously being a full-time mum to my four children aged four to 11, I’ve really enjoyed the chance to work through my apprenticeship. It has built my confidence and got me out of my shell - I wouldn’t mind working in housing now!

Apprentice from the class of 2011, Myles Duffy One of our previous apprentices, Myles Duffy, joined Barnet Homes as a housing apprentice aged 19 and is still with us as a trainee Operational Inspector. Find out more about Myles over the page.

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Myles from the Valley Myles Duffy was in the first ever crop of apprentices Barnet Homes employed in 2011. Following his year of apprenticeship, he worked a number of short contracts within Barnet Homes.

Four years later, Myles is now a trainee Operational Inspector studying for a Higher National Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment with a goal of eventually becoming a surveyor.

Last year Myles was in the Contact Centre, which helped him gain knowledge of frontline housing issues.

Myles soon moved on from customer queries to another highly pressured environment – surveying Barnet Homes’ housing stock as a trainee Operational Inspector.

This involves working on large scale repair projects with costs upwards of £20,000.

In his own words, former apprentice Myles Duffy says his apprenticeship helped him realise his career goals and provide a stable future for his family.

But Myles has also had some challenging odds to overcome to further his prospects.

21% of residents from Dollis Valley Estate where he grew up have never worked and while 52% of its residents are in employment, it’s lower than the average working percentage of Barnet as a whole, which is 66%.

“If the apprenticeship hadn’t come along when it did, I don’t know what I would have been doing. Myles continues: “I had

10 10| |atHome atHomeSpring Spring2015 2015

to work in a lot of temp jobs, which also made it difficult to provide for my young family.

But to make a better future for them, I knew I had to work hard. That’s what people want to see – young people working hard and not wasting their potential.

“I wanted to develop my skills so I gave the apprenticeship my all. There were hard times, but I have had a great deal of support from line managers along the way throughout Barnet Homes.”

Myles got the role just before his 25th birthday, which turned out to be a milestone in more ways than one:

“The apprenticeship with Barnet Homes has helped me develop from an immature youngster to a grown man with responsibilities. My advice to apprentices is use this as an opportunity to carve a career in housing, which is a really interesting area to work in. Be willing to learn new things.”

YOUR SAFETY

new handy items to ‘Assist’ you

ASSIST

Assist is a service which supports people to remain independent at home for longer. With devices and alarms already competitively priced, Barnet Homes Assist is proud to announce that we stock and install a few new handy items that residents may find useful - either for themselves or their loved ones within the borough. These include: Mr Beam stand-alone lighting A range of lighting that automatically fades in and out when it registers movement in front of it. These can be wall or ceiling-mounted and work with AA or C sized batteries.

Magiplug plugs Plugs that can be fitted in a kitchen sink, bathroom basin or bath to automatically prevent water overflowing and causing damage.

Memrabel 2 speaking clocks Clocks that show the time and date and can also be used to record audio or video messages to play at certain times of day, for example, to “go to the dentist”.

Residents should contact the Telecare Advisors on 020 8359 2876 as they may be entitled to these and other Telecare products free of charge.

Assist expands into Haringey

Barnet Homes Assist has continued to build upon success expanding into other boroughs.

Assist’s Community Support Manager David Fitt (pictured above) tells us: “The latest being that we have signed a new contract with Christian Action Housing Association to take on the 24hour, seven-days-a-week emergency call monitoring and mobile response for two sites located in Haringey, starting in April 2015. This is another step for our Assist service to expand further, this time into Haringey.”

For more information, contact Barnet Homes Assist on 020 8359 4841 or assist@barnethomes.org.

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LEASEHOLDERS

REPAIRS

leaseholder news

new repairs service for 2015 your new estimates

You should now have received your estimated service charges for 2015-16.

Remember, estimates are payable quarterly in advance, or you can choose to pay by 10 monthly instalments.

Please check your booklet for more information, or contact your Leasehold Housing Officer on 020 8359 6020 or LHS@barnethomes.org.

12 | atHome Spring 2015

A new repairs service for leaseholders is now available.

Leaseholders can now contact Mears 24 hours, seven days a week, (Barnet Homes’ partnership Repairs and Maintenance contractor) to order works to their home.

All trades are covered and include: • Plumbing (for example, from leaks to renewing taps or installing a new bathroom suite) • Carpentry (for example, a lock change) • Electrical works (for example, all work including renewing wall sockets, making safe after leaks, changing light switches, etc.)

• Glazing work (for example, re-glazing broken windows) This service is open to resident and non-resident leaseholders, 24 hours a day. This service is specifically designed for ordering internal repairs to your home and does not include communal repairs for which Barnet Homes is responsible.

REPAIRS

LEASEHOLDERS

the process for ordering a repair is as follows:

Call the Mears team on 020 3589 3071 available 24 hours, seven days a week.

What happens next?

1.

Introduce yourself as a Barnet Homes leaseholder.

4.

The Mears operator will check the details of your job and give you a quote for the work.

2.

Give your name and leasehold property address.

5.

You will be able to confirm the date of your appointment and request a morning or afternoon call.

3.

Describe the work you would like carried out.

6.

Depending on the type of work required, jobs can be completed within a couple of hours or arranged to suit you.

7.

If you are happy to go ahead you will be able to pay for your job using a debit or credit card.

For larger jobs such as the installation of a new bathroom suite, you will need to arrange for an inspection to take place before a quotation can be made.

Communal repairs for which Barnet Homes is responsible must be reported to the Customer Call Centre on 0800 389 5225 as usual.

looking for long-term tenants with few or no void days?

Then try our lettings services specially designed for Barnet Homes’ leaseholders. Our services are well established and our portfolio is growing.

We are now managing properties across the Borough in Cockfosters, High Barnet, New Barnet, Friern Barnet, East Finchley, North Finchley and West Hendon.

Landlords instructing us receive: • peace of mind of a responsive managing agent • attractive incentives • good rental income • comprehensive pre-lettings advice • prompt rental payments • thoroughly vetted tenants • customised repairs arrangements For more information or to request a landlord’s enquiry pack, call one of the account managers: Jean Jean-Marie on 020 8359 4935, Sophia Rose on 020 8359 6047, or Sean Wilson on 020 8359 6053. atHome Spring 2015 | 13

WELFARE REFORM

BENEFIT CHANGES

the Welfare Reform Task Force is here to help The Welfare Reform Task Force is a team who are set up to support residents affected by the Benefit Cap and get people into work. Residents are referred to the Task Force by their Job Centre or Barnet Homes’ Rental Income Team to help residents further if needed.

Housing Support Officers manage these cases and then connect people to other parts of the team or outside partners who can help. Clients will have one named point of contact who will be key to help them progress.

who we are

Barnet Homes’ Housing Options staff and Welfare Benefits Advisors

Housing Benefits staff from Barnet Council

Work Coaches from Job Centre Plus

Employment Coaches from Future Path

An overall manager from Barnet Homes links the team together

purpose

For those aged 16-64 who may receive benefits and have a capped limit on the total amount they receive, the team assist people into work, as well as to prevent homelessness by moving them to affordable housing or on to uncapped benefits, for example, Disability Living Allowance.

Employment coaches offer one-to-one support to clients who need to look for work to receive their DHP. The team also offers general welfare reform advice and administer the Benefit Cap for Barnet.

location

The Task Force is located at Barnet House with a reception on the same floor.

who we have helped

There have been around 1,600 households who have been affected by the Benefit Cap in Barnet and the Task Force has helped around a third of clients find work since the project started in 2013.

14 | atHome Spring 2015

BENEFIT CHANGES

WELFARE REFORM

Universal Credit

The Task Force will also support those who have been referred by the Job Centre or the Rental Income Team to help claimants with budgeting or to create an online account.

My Account portal

For customers who need help setting up an account online, your local Job Centre Plus can refer you to the Task Force to assist customers to set up an account with Barnet Council’s My Account portal.

Twitter: @BarnetTaskForce

courses and training Barnet Homes, in partnership with local training centres offers a range of training opportunities to support our residents. Here are some of the courses available, with more available on our website at bit.ly/BHTraining

IT Courses

Burnt Oak Resource Centre, Edgware • Level 1 IT (Spreadsheets): Mondays, 9.30am-12pm, 12 weeks.

• IT for Beginners/Improvers: Thursdays, 9.30am-12pm, 12 weeks.

Women’s Return to Work Course

For these courses, call Marie Moylan on 020 8345 7209 or email marie.moylan@barnetsouthgate. ac.uk

Barnet and Southgate College • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9.30am-2.30pm, 12 weeks.

Apprenticeship or NVQ in hairdressing or barbering

The London Hairdressing Academy, Borehamwood • Apprenticeship: 16-23 years only. Paid apprenticeship with one day a week training.

• NVQ Level 2: 24+ years – April 2015. One day a week training for one year.

For information on this course and others that we offer, contact getinvolved@barnethomes.org

atHome Spring 2015 | 15

COMMUNITY

@LOVEBURNTOAK

help your friends and family to improve their health and fitness

LBO has received a grant from Barnet Council’s Area Committee Fund to recruit Community Health Champions.

The project aims to recruit and train local residents as volunteers to encourage their friends, family and neighbours in the local community into the benefits of physical activity, health checks, sign-posting and promoting a range of well-being activities and services in and around the Burnt Oak area. You can register your interest by emailing loveburntoak@gmail.com.

new website live @Loveburntoak’s new website launched on 27 January. It has lots of information about LBO’s activities, advice and support services hosted at the heart of Burnt Oak from its Resource Centre on Watling Avenue, also including information about the partners we work with.

Visit loveburntoak.org.uk to find out more!

Register your interest for all LBO’s events by emailing loveburntoak@gmail.com

Finest Flowers 2015

This year’s Finest Flowers competition will take place in July and there’s something for all abilities. The categories are: • Best front/back garden • Best Sheltered Housing Scheme garden • Best balcony or display containers • Best communal garden • Best new gardener In addition, all entries are automatically entered into the Geoff Bedingfield award for the most outstanding garden.

If you would like an entry form, contact Deborah Beckford at deborah.beckford@barnethomes.org or phone 020 8359 5307.

And here are some tips to get you started…

• Select quality bulbs that are large and firm • Most bulbs do best in full sun and well-drained soil • Generally, dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall • Mix compost into your bulbs’ planting holes to ensure good blooming • Prevent weeds that steal nutrients by spreading three inches of mulch over the soil • Water your plants well • Plant in groups as most bulbs look best when planted in big groupings instead of straight rows.

•To get twice the colour in the same space, plant smaller species over bigger bulbs

16 | atHome Spring 2015

WEST HENDON

COMMUNITY

join the West Hendon Youth Project for music, dancing, sport and more!

The West Hendon Youth Project, supported by Barnet Homes, is up and running to improve facilities for young people on the West Hendon Estate.

Based in the West Hendon Community Centre, in Marsh Drive, the project includes all kinds of activities for age groups 5-11 and older children.

Senior Community Youth Worker for Stonegrove Estates Youth Project, Jim Ball, says he is keen to really build on provisions for young people in the area: “We are working at introducing new ideas and initiatives each week - including Wii games

to promote healthy lifestyles, exercise, music and dancing.

We want to encourage some junior leaders and start a youth forum very soon.”

The Project has also received funding from Barnet Council to start an art and history project - which will be showcased at the West Hendon Community Fun Day on 1 September.

Further plans for this project include creating a safe environment for older children to take part in competitions like football, table-tennis and pool against other youth projects to encourage young people across Barnet to get to socialise through healthy competition.

The Barnet Group’s Director of Operations Derek Rust, says: “The West Hendon Youth Project provides a much needed outlet for young people on the estate. Barnet Homes is pleased to support the project as much as we can, to enable young people to have community activities and events they can be a part of through the youth club. Further helping local young people achieve their aspirations for future goals.” For more information on how young people can join, drop in to the West Hendon Community Centre on Wednesdays or contact Jim Ball on 07812 580796.

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farewell Tracey A strong team will continue to deliver good services to you In six and a half years, Barnet Homes’ Chief Executive Tracey Lees has seen many changes in the organisation as well as facing challenges from the wider housing world. Before Tracey leaves for pastures new, AtHome talks to Tracey about her proudest moments: “I always think spring is a good time to start afresh. So, I am leaving Barnet Homes after six and a half amazing years, to start a new role as Chief Executive at Wandle Housing Association.

“While I was preparing for my departure I remembered so many of Barnet Homes’ achievements, milestones and people. Housing is a very challenging, but rewarding, area to work in and I have seen many changes over the past 30 years I have been working in the industry.

“But the best part about housing is seeing how the work we do changes the lives of residents in Barnet and the community for better.

“I am very proud of the fact we have started to build new 18 | atHome Spring 2015

homes in the borough and our house building programme with Barnet Council has now started its second construction phase which will see 40 new homes built over the next 12 months.

“It also makes me immensely proud to have our apprenticeship scheme enter its fourth year and also seeing one of our very first apprentices realise his full potential.

“Importantly, the Welfare Reform Taskforce, a partnership which supports our households affected by changes to the benefit system, is already helping people into work and in finding affordable homes.

“The fact we are now in the Top 20 UK Landlord’s list this year demonstrates how far we’ve come, which is because of our supportive residents and committed staff. Our overall tenant’s satisfaction is the highest it has ever been at 81.1% and leaving Barnet Homes in the hands of such a strong team, I hope to see this number rise.

“Finally our Performance Advisory Group (PAG), who work on behalf of our residents, has really established itself in the time I’ve been here. Well done to everyone involved in making PAG the effective group it is today.

“So I would like to take this time, again, to say a big thank you to Barnet Homes’ residents and everyone I have had the pleasure of working with closely over the years. I wish Barnet Homes’ residents and its staff all the very best for the future and leave you under the strong leadership of Troy Henshall, our Interim Chief Executive. With thanks to Barnet Council for their continued support.”

tributes to Tracey Vi Britchfield, former Chair of PAG, leaseholder “What I like so much about Tracey is that she is a people person. She built a great relationship with officers and residents when she first arrived and I know had a positive working relationship with her which was valuable in the early days of establishing Barnet Homes. I needed a lot of help when I was Chair but Tracey gave me 100% support. It’s been a privilege working with her.”

Sharon Slotnik, Board Chair “As a major supporter of building new homes in Barnet I was very much with Tracey

Lees as she led the Board and our internal and external stakeholders to grow our remit by building new homes.

Tracey not only left a positive imprint in the borough but also led the board and staff into another new direction of work which she should take great pride in as she moves onto pastures new.”

Ela Klein, Barnet Homes’ resident “Tracey Lees is so easy to talk to. I always liked the way Tracey always took the time to speak to residents, was genuinely interested in them and always remembered our names.”

Rui Octavio, co-founder of Nutmeg Community “On behalf of Nutmeg Community, I’d like to thank Tracey Lees for being so supportive of our cause throughout the past six years.

What I admire most is that despite her busy schedule, Tracey has always shown a willingness to help, made time to attend our events and listened to our plans.

Tracey is a huge inspiration to Darwin and I, she will be greatly missed. We know she will continue to flourish in all that she does and wish her the very best for the future.”

atHome Spring 2015 | 19

residents’ awards and thank you party The 2014 Residents’ Awards event at Barnet House on 9 December 2014 was made bigger and better than ever by combining the occasion with our annual Thank You Party to residents who are involved in associations and volunteering, as well as good neighbours for their passion in contributing to the community.

The Barnet Group’s Chair Terry Rogers gave the opening speech and presented the awards (a glass engraved trophy and £50 of High Street gift vouchers) to the winners, listed below, who were decided by resident board members and CEO Tracey Lees. There was also karaoke and some disco dancing!

• Good Neighbour Award: Ann and John MacDonald – Ann and John have made over the communal garden to provide the community with an open space and also shop and do odd jobs for residents who can’t get out.

• Young Volunteer of the Year: Danny Naghten – Danny has made great contributions to shaping local youth provision and projects.

• Volunteer of the Year: Lucia Loureiro - Lucia has voluntarily devoted years towards helping others and in 2014 founded New Life Angola, a community based group in Burnt Oak. • Resident Group of the Year: Granville Road Residents Association – Three dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to be the voice of their local residents.

• Staff Choice Award: Jan Andersson (former PAG Chair) - For a number of years, Jan has supported PAG and is also a Service Champion for Mears, being at the forefront of a number of service improvements.

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QuAG is officially up and inspecting...

A new Quality Assurance Group (QuAG) has been formed to inspect the services of Your Choice Barnet, and to report back to The Barnet Group recommendations for improvement and observations. QuAG includes parents, relatives and carers who meet quarterly to discuss the results. This is the beginning of strategic parent/carer involvement for Your Choice Barnet and we will also be looking to expand the group with service users in the near future.

congratulations to our Tenants’ Survey winners They are: • Peggy Sanders, Mill Hill • Brian McGurk, Barnet • Mr Shiva Chokupermal, Colindale • Mrs Santokba Vadher, Edgware • Miss G, Barnet (right, receiving her winnings from Barnet Homes’ Board Member Angela Purcell) They all win £100 worth of High Street vouchers. Mrs/Miss G who has been a tenant of Barnet since 1979, said: “I can’t believe this is happening to me, I am so happy! The staff at Barnet Homes have been really helpful to me since I have been a tenant here, especially Lorne Murray who is my really helpful and friendly housing officer. I am so grateful for the vouchers - thank you Barnet Homes!”

You can find results of the Tenants’ Survey featured throughout Barnet Homes’ 2014 Annual Report which you can download by visiting barnethomes.org.

we want you!

Service champions We are also looking for residents to help us improve our services by being the lead resident opinion in specific service areas. You don’t need any previous experience in the department that you choose as you will receive the training you need. For more information, please email getinvolved@barnethomes.org. atHome atHome Spring Spring 2015 2015 | 21 | 21

YOUTH SUPPORT

PATHWAYS

motivating young people to take that next step through Pathways The six-month Pathways programme which ended this spring, has been a great opportunity for Barnet Homes to support, inspire and motivate young people aged 16-24 to take that next step in their lives, building on confidence and skills to gain qualifications and employment.

We are passionate about the impact that this can have on each person and their future and therefore this is something that we may seek to continue with further funding.

Barnet Homes’ Youth Engagement Officer Shabina Cannon, said: “I supported 12 young people and I am pleased to say seven of the 12 gained employment / apprenticeships.

The Pathways programme has been a great success and I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. It gave me great pleasure to support these young people in making positive changes to their lives.”

Nadia’s story

Nadia is 24-years-old and joined the Pathways programme in September 2014, successfully completing a City and Guilds course in Employability Skills and Personal Development. After completing the course Nadia received regular one-to-one support from our Youth Engagement Officer. Due to this support, Nadia was successful in gaining an IT internship with a local employer.

22 | atHome Spring 2015

Here Nadia tells us what the internship has meant to her…

“When I got the call to say I got the job I was over the moon, I could use the skills I had learnt through my IT and networking courses that I did at college. I have learnt many new things and feel more stable since working.

The Pathways programme really helped me with my confidence and interview skills. My mentor played a huge part in supporting me to gain my internship. She always had various opportunities to offer me and made me believe in myself and which helped to motivate me.

Thank you so much for this great opportunity.”

If you are aged 16-19 years and NEET (not in education, employment or training), you can contact Barnet Council’s Participation placement team for support on 020 8359 6215. For ages 20+ your local Job Centre Plus team will help you.

GET REAL

YOUTH SUPPORT

preventing youth homelessness with the Get Real project

our differences and make it work at home but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. We had intense arguments which led me to become homeless. I turned up at Barnet House with just a suitcase and waited for someone to help me.

I was then moved into a hostel.

For two years now, Barnet Homes has been supporting young people who become homeless through its Get Real project. The project offers shared accommodation and ongoing support to young people who show a commitment to education, training or employment. By offering a flat-share rather than the social isolation of a temporary single-bed property, Barnet Homes aims to give young people who can no longer live with their family a better introduction to living independently.

Raisa’s story…

“I became homeless due to a lot of tension at home. When I was 16, I was sectioned for a year. Once I came out of hospital I moved back to my mum’s house, we tried to work through

“During my time at the hostel I had an offer to move into shared accommodation through the Get Real project, to live with others as motivated as I was. When I first heard about it I was really excited because it was a life-line for me as being in a hostel I felt institutionalised.

When I moved into the shared house, it was great because I had the opportunity to make it my home, allowing me to re-collect myself and de-stress and think about my life choices on a deeper level. It gave me the chance to find peace.

“The Get Real project has given me stability with the opportunity to complete a two-year course in Carpentry and Joinery and to work part-time. It has given freedom. I feel happy and ready to face the world.”

Raisa (pictured above, outside her new flat), now aged 21 has accepted an offer to rent her own one-bedroom flat through another housing association. Raisa has also been offered decoration vouchers to paint her new home – something she is very excited to start! Good luck Raisa!

A new film by Barnet Homes promoting the Get Real project to partner organisations and other youth project organisations will be available soon. atHome Spring 2015 | 23

RENTAL INCOME

MANAGING YOUR MONEY

Olly explains... which debts should you pay first?

Priority Debts -vNon-Priority Debts

If you are struggling to pay all your bills, you must pay your Priority Debts first. They are: • Rent • Council tax • Gas and electricity • Court fines • Child maintenance

priority debts

These are the debts you should pay first. These debts may not be the largest or have the highest interest rate, but they are still important because if you don’t pay them, you could: • Lose your home – because you are not paying your rent • Be summoned to court – for not paying your council tax • Have your heating or lighting cut off – for not paying your gas or electricity bills

24 | atHome Spring 2015

non-priority debts Other bills which are still important but are considered to be non-priority for the reasons explained above are:

• Credit cards, personal loans or bank loans • Catalogues or home credit services • Payday loans • Money borrowed from family or friends

help available

Barnet Homes have independent partners who offer free practical advice.

Some of these include: A debt counselling charity

for free debt advice and help with a personal action plan for free and impartial money advice If you are in rent arrears or struggling to make your rent payments, we have lots of support available.

Please contact Barnet Homes’ Rental Income Team on 0800 389 5225.

We are here to help!

FEELING THE SQUEEZE

RENTAL INCOME

are you in rent arrears or struggling with your rent?

We have financial support available, so you just need to contact the Rental Income Team on 0800 389 5225. Please don’t ignore your arrears - we can help!

what support do we offer?

• Experienced, helpful, friendly housing officers • Budgeting advice • If you are in arrears, we will help you work out a realistic arrangement to clear these.

As long as you keep to an agreement we will not take any further action • We can offer many rent payment methods

• If you are on a low income or out of work, you may be entitled to claim housing benefit - we can help you with this • We have Welfare Benefits advisors to assist with assessing your benefit needs and maximising your income • We are working with a number of partnership organisations who can assist with free debt advice and management

• We can offer help and advice on Welfare Reform • Advice on getting your finances in order, pay and save with Credit Union (see page 27) • If you are really struggling, and need assistance with food, we can refer you to a local Foodbank.

Fancy a month rent free?

Sign up to pay your rent by Direct Debit and you’ll be entered into our prize draw twice a year!

First prize: a month’s free rent Second prize: a week’s free rent Third prize: £25 high street shopping vouchers To sign up, contact 0800 389 5225 or visit barnethomes.org This Spring’s winners are 1st place: Miss Adams of Edgware 2nd place: Miss Mayembe of Colindale atHome Spring 2015 | 25

RENTAL INCOME

BUILDING MINORITY ENGAGEMENT

how the BME Project can continue to help you One resident told us about how the project helped them: In 2012, the Building Minority Engagement (BME) project began to help residents who were at risk of financial poverty, which can lead to debt and homelessness. The initiative was launched after research showed 41 per cent of residents from our Black African community were struggling with rent arrears.

The project has been a great success, where over two years: • 16 volunteers have been fully trained to provide Welfare Benefits and money management help and advice so people in the local community can effectively manage their money • we have helped over 200 residents maximise their incomes and sustain their tenancies, keeping more families in their homes • we have reduced the amount of arrears from £150,000 to £69,645 – a difference of £80,355.

26 | atHome Spring 2015

“I got some help with my Benefits and 60+ Oyster travel card which has been a great help. I was also referred to a Foodbank and assisted to access a crisis fund. I now have a better understanding of the Benefits system. I have gained so much confidence because I was so depressed at the time, but the service was very friendly and helpful and that really boosted my confidence and made me talk freely about my issues. The truth is I would have maybe ended up committing suicide because I needed someone to listen to me and my advisor did that and gave me the assurance I needed.”

If you feel you are in a similar position, at risk of financial poverty – please don’t bury your head in the sand. Find out about places where advice is available or for any other enquiries, call 020 8359 7120, email bmeadvice@gmail.com or visit barnethomes.org.

CREDIT UNION

RENTAL INCOME

start saving to reduce the need to borrow

Join the Credit Union The not-for-profit community savings and loans providers

The Credit Union is owned and controlled by its members who have something in common and to mutually benefit from within their community. It is set up to encourage people to plan their finances and start saving. They also provide low cost loans when needed.

Its services are relevant to people from all backgrounds, but

particularly for those on low incomes.

In 2013, Barnet Homes launched a partnership with Credit Union to offer our residents the chance to join and benefit from the financial support a union of this type can offer.

Why join?

It can be easier to save this way. You can have different budgeting accounts for things such as a summer holiday

and home improvements. If you ever need to borrow then you will find the Saver Loans a really good deal. By joining and using the Credit Union you also know that you are playing your part in helping many people escape from permanent debt and poverty.

How do I join?

You can join online at credit-union.coop, call 020 7561 1786 or email info@credit-union.coop.

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HOUSING TORY OPTIONS

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

the Fresh Start scheme housing association properties in Barnet • Help with choosing and viewing properties • The choice of keeping a spare bedroom if you are moving from a three-bedroom property or more • Help and advice with removal arrangements and getting rid of unwanted furniture

Are you affected by the bedroom tax? Do you want to pay less rent? Do you want to move to a smaller home?

Our dedicated Fresh Start Officer, Denise Bracken (pictured above) will make the

moving process as stress free as possible and can help you find a new home which meets your needs. You may even qualify for up to £4,000 to help you move!

You will receive: • A choice of council and

downsizing can make a big difference

because not only could he not keep up with his rent and other housing costs, he also felt very alone. When Mr F’s support worker referred him to Denise Bracken, she was determined to find him somewhere to live where he would be happier.

Mr F, a single man without children, had succeeded the tenancy of a three-bedroom house, when his beloved sister, whom he had lived with, died two years ago. Mr F became extremely low,

Denise told us: “Running a large house on his own all got too much for Mr F and he still hadn’t had the chance to grieve for his sister, whom his whole life was centred around.

He had become very stressed

28 | atHome Spring 2015

You may also be interested in our Mutual Exchange schemes which could help you to swap properties with other social housing tenants.

For more information, contact Denise Bracken on 020 8359 4695 or denise. bracken@barnethomes.org or visit barnethomes.org and fragile. I was thrilled when a one-bedroom sheltered housing property became available, which comes with an ‘instant’ community. There’s now a family living in Mr F’s old house and they’re happy and settled, too! Housing Options isn’t just about one size fits all - it’s about looking at individual circumstances and helping people.”

MOVING HOME

HOUSING OPTIONS

Allocations Scheme

On 2 February, Barnet Council changed its Housing Allocations Scheme. This is the policy document that our Housing Options service uses to determine how a property is given to a person, couple or family. Some of the changes made to the Allocations Scheme will affect Barnet Homes’ residents who want to move to another home because of overcrowding or medical reasons.

If you would like to find out more about the changes to the Allocations Scheme, visit barnethomes.org.

Universal Credit has arrived!

Universal Credit is the new way which benefits will be paid to people in Barnet who are making new claims and who are aged between 18 and 60 years, six months.

Universal Credit is a single payment system which will replace: • Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support • Working Tax Credit • Child Tax Credit • Housing Benefit To begin with, the only people who will receive their benefits in this way are single people who claim benefits for the first time. Then, in time, couples and then families will be paid their benefits through Universal Credit.

The biggest change about Universal Credit from existing benefits is the way it is paid.

It will be paid in a single monthly payment and directly to claimants to a bank account. This means that claimants will have to manage all of their own finances, including paying rent (as housing benefit will no longer be paid directly to Barnet Homes). If you are worried about budgeting or would like more information about Universal Credit and how it may affect you or your rent payments, you can contact your local Job Centre or call your Rental Income Officer on 0800 389 5225. atHome Spring 2015 | 29

starting a new life with a Flexible Tenancy The Localism Act 2011 included the power for social landlords to move away from letting all tenancies as life time ‘secure’ to using time limited ‘flexible’ tenancies to improve the supply of social housing. Barnet Council adopted this and published in April 2012 the Local Tenancy Strategy detailing its policy on who would get which type of tenancy when applying for housing.

Under this strategy, most new tenants in priority housing need, depending on their circumstances and age, are granted a 12-month introductory tenancy, followed by a five-year or two-year flexible tenancy.

An objective of the policy is to support tenants to prepare for independence by making it clear from the start of the tenancy that the arrangement is not necessarily permanent. Young people with two-year flexible tenancies and care leavers with five-year flexible tenancies in particular are receiving help from Barnet Homes to make a positive community contribution, i.e.. undertake skills training, continue with education or secure employment so they can move on to other housing options.

30 | atHome Spring 2015

Here, one of our tenants Kyle Henderson, together with his girlfriend Lucy, tells us about what a flexible tenancy has meant to them…

Kyle (pictured left) is 22 years old and he lives with his girlfriend Lucy in a flat in New Barnet. He has volunteered for the Barnet Furniture Centre and subsequently secured a job with a large removal company. Both Kyle and Lucy have spent hours redecorating their flat to a high standard and designing their garden, lifting their local community spirit.

How has this Barnet Homes flexible tenancy helped you?

Kyle: It has helped me a lot. I was really unstable before, living in temporary accommodation and hostels since I was 17, so this place has given me stability and I feel relaxed and settled here.

Lucy: Thanks to Barnet Homes Kyle is no longer on an estate where he felt like he was in a clique. When he moved into this place he grew up and it allowed him to be himself without peer pressure from people on the estate.

Having his own space has really helped him flourish – he is really hands on with the garden.

Do you think it’s helped you manage your finances better?

Are you happy with your home and where you live?

Were you happy with the support you received from your flexible tenancy officer?

How did Barnet Homes help you?

If you could give any advice to anyone starting a flexible tenancy, what would it be?

Kyle: Yes definitely. It is much clearer for me to see and maintain and it makes more sense now.

Kyle: I was happy because she helped me to be productive and not sit around at home bored. They gave me help when I needed help. I feel like I am achieving now. I want to save up, get driving and get a lorry license and run my own company.

Lucy: It has given him something to aspire to. He has dyslexia and struggles but they love how much of a hard worker he is at work. Since living here he has a different attitude and has quit smoking too!

Lucy: We’re very happy! We love how it’s secluded and away from chaos. There are gorgeous properties in this area.

Kyle: Just be smart and use the resources available to you.

Appreciate where you live and keep it to yourself. I see a lot of houses through my job and it makes me thankful for mine.

Lucy: It’s like gold dust – council flats are hard to get now. It’s a gift! You don’t need to have lots and lots of money, just do what you can with it.

Our mentality was that it took a lot for us to get our home so we are going to make it nice!

Respect it and understand that you’re lucky.

atHome Spring 2015 | 31

MAJOR WORKS

REFURBISHMENTS

transforming properties During 2014 the Major Works team managed refurbishment projects to the value of ÂŁ10.4 million, to maintain the Decent Homes Standard, improve security across our properties, to ultimately enhance the lives of our residents.

These included bathrooms, kitchens, windows and roofing replacement as well as fire

Before

Brookhill Road: The property consists of flats located above commercial premises set back from the busy A110. The works included

Before

safety works. A substantial communal redecoration programme is also being delivered to properties on the Bevan Estate, EN4 and EN5 areas. Below are just two examples of these projects.

Bittacy Court: The estate had a road that had large pot holes and lack of parking space which resulted in residents having to park in undesignated

spaces such as the grassed area.

In consultation with residents, a new parking layout, facilities to house recycling and waste bins and creation of a new road was agreed. Works included the installation of automated gates to prevent non-resident parking by commuters using a nearby tube station.

After

the replacement of the roof, windows and front entrance doors and a full redecoration after the staircase was adapted and render repairs

were undertaken. The before and after photos show a complete transformation of this block.

After

If you would like to become involved in decisions around Major Works projects or another service area, you could be heard by applying to become a Service Champion. Email getinvolved@barnethomes.org more information.

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DATA PROTECTION

YOUR SAFETY

how to protect your private details

Over the past year Barnet Homes has really stepped-up our focus on protecting the private information you have given us. We have re-written our policy, splitting it into several smaller documents so that staff can find the relevant information much quicker, on for example, paper handling or secure email policies. We are also making sure that every member of staff has been trained in Data Protection.

We are doing all of this to ensure your private data is kept safe, and here are a few tips on how you can keep your details safe online: Check website addresses you think are secure start with ‘https’

When putting private details on a website, for example, payment details or password details – make sure the website address starts with ‘https’ and look for a padlock icon, which will be shown on your browsers’ address bar.

Create strong online passwords By mixing upper and lower case letters with numbers and symbols. Ideally, also have different passwords for different sites and make sure you keep these passwords safe.

Be wary of emails requesting information This scam is called ‘phishing’, where people send an email pretending to be your bank or another organisation, and who

try and lead you to click a link or give them a password or username. If you aren’t sure if the email is genuine, ring the organisation to check first!

Alternatively if anyone emails you saying they have lots of money for you and just need a bit of assistance (and money) to transfer it to you – click ‘Delete’!

Make sure you have some ‘anti-virus’ software on your computer To make sure it is secure – several of these are free and can be found online.

There are lots of other things you can do as well.

Take a look online for more information by searching for ‘Keeping your data safe online’.

atHome Spring 2015 | 33

YOUR SAFETY

FIRE ESCAPE

do you know your fire escape plan?

The London Fire Brigade has a campaign called ‘Know Your Fire Plan’ to help residents across London understand the best and safest way to exit their building in case of a fire. The full plan can be seen at knowtheplan.co.uk Keep communal areas clear!

Also, please be vigilant – report any fire dangers you may see on the estates by calling 0800 389 5225.

waste and recycling

Each year, residents in Barnet throw away around 36,000 tonnes of household waste that could be recycled. This costs the taxpayer around £3.1million each year. It costs roughly twice as much to 34 | atHome Spring 2015

dispose of the residual waste compared with recycling it.

In 2013, Barnet Council introduced a new household recycling and waste service which has increased recycling

rates from 33% to 40%. The Council’s aim is to achieve 50% by 2016. Councillor Dean Cohen, Chairman of Barnet Council’s Environment Committee said: “Our residents are now recycling more than ever before, but there is still more that we can all do.”

Results from a recent study of waste collections from flats, show that 15% of the residual waste could be recycled using the existing recycling service. Over the coming months, Barnet Council will be undertaking selective trials to see how food recycling from flats can be introduced.

get support coping with dementia According to the Alzheimer’s Society, in 2015 there will be 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025.

Working in partnership within boroughs across the UK, The Alzheimer’s Society fights to raise awareness and understanding of dementia, with support and services better enabling people to live well with the condition.

One way is to meet at your local Dementia Café, which provides people with an opportunity to meet regularly and talk about living with dementia in an informal social environment. They provide information about dementia and practical tips about coping with dementia.

For more information, contact your local Alzheimer’s Society office in Barnet on 020 8937 7171 or barnet@alzheimers.org.uk and look out for further support during Dementia Awareness Week 2015 on 17-23 May. atHome Spring 2015 | 35

You must be registered in order to vote 15 0 2 L I R AP Monday

20

MAY 201 5 Thursday

7

y a d t s a L r e t s i g e to r

General

Election Register online at:

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call 020 8359 5577