Thirteen customer magazine - issue 1

Issue 1

Your New Magazine

Cover story

Beth’s Key Step Yes you can, Joanne!

Drawing on pupil talent to make sites safer Let’s go to Boho!

Wintertime. And the living is easy.

What’s inside?

Page

Welcome from Val

2

Introducing a new magazine for you

3

A warm welcome from Geoff New connect service

4 4

Real life story: Beth

5

Feel warmer, healthier and safer this coming winter Let’s go to Boho!

Home ownership dreams: Yes you can, Joanne!

6&7

I’ve been bowled over by the inspirational stories in this issue, especially Beth talking about how she has overcome a difficult period in her life, with support from Thirteen.

9 10 & 11

Universal Credit top tips

12

Thirteen Academy: all about you He has changed my life

13 13

School uniform pledge

A very warm welcome to your new magazine from Thirteen - so new that we haven’t even given it a name yet!

8

Annual report: snapshot

Going green

Welcome from Val

We also highlight just some of the work that’s been carried out to make your neighbourhoods better places to live and showcase some new developments too.

As winter is fast approaching, there are some useful tips to help keep you warm and safe plus a delicious recipe for a chilli that will feed a family of four for under a fiver.

14 & 15 16

Drawing on pupil talent to make sites safer

17

Feed the family for less

18

That’s just a snapshot of what you’ll find in this issue. If you take a look on page 3, you’ll see what we are aiming for with the magazine and I really hope you get involved and make suggestions for future issues.

Enjoy!

Loan sharks – communities biting back

19

Useful contacts – cut out and keep

20

Val Scollen, chair of Thirteen’s customer engagement framework and an involved customer.

02

Introducing the brand new magazine for you At Thirteen, customers are at the heart of everything we do. We hear lots of heartwarming stories that we think deserve to be shared, we work with wonderful people who are helping to make neighbourhoods better places to live and we know there is lots of support out there that you might want to hear about.

Please let us know what you would like to see in the magazine, so that we can make sure it gives you a really good read.

Of course, your new magazine needs a name too. If you would like to send in your name ideas, the person who makes the best suggestion will win an ÂŁ50 shopping voucher.

That’s why we have been busy producing a brand new magazine just for you.

Email your story ideas or name suggestions to us at communications@thirteengroup.co.uk

The magazine is yours to shape. This issue gives glimpses into the inspirational real lives of local people and is full of hints, tips and information we hope you find useful. We also need your help for future issues!

Over to you!

03

Now you’ll get a warm welcome from Geoff – guaranteed

Investment work like this is so important, to ensure our customers have modern, efficient heating systems. The team has done a great job.”

Where next?

That’s because we’ve just upgraded his heating system with the latest combi boiler - free – along with over 200 Throston Grange neighbours

Over the next five years Thirteen has plans to invest over £1billion into improving homes for existing customers, building new homes, making improvements to neighbourhoods and into the support services offered to customers.

“I can’t praise the team enough,” said 84-year old Geoff Hill, veteran of the Durham Light Infantry and 35 years Hartlepool resident. “From start to finish, they have been great. They talked me through how the new boiler works and showed me exactly what to do. Nothing has been too much trouble.”

Customers will receive a letter if investment work is to be carried out on their home, to let them know about the plans and the type of improvement they can expect.

You can download a copy of this year’s plans from thirteen’s website www.thirteengroup.co.uk/FindOutAbout or by scanning the qr code below

Having finished the boiler upgrade on Geoff’s estate - which also included some gas fires being replaced with electric fires - Thirteen’s investment and maintenance team went on to replace windows and canopies on a number of homes and install over 200 ventilation systems.

Site agent Andy Towler, who has managed the scheme added: “It’s fantastic to hear such positive feedback from our customers.

Need a cooker connecting? We’ll do it FREE! It can be tricky, it can be risky, it can cost money, it’s definitely not a DIY job. That’s why we are offering our qualified fitters’ skills to any customer needing an electric or gas cooker connected – free of charge.

there is no need to make any changes to the existing wiring or kitchen layout in their home and the cooker is in good working condition.”

Booking is simple. Just make an appointment with us to survey and fit your cooker – free of charge.

Call us on 0300 111 1000 or email us at customerservices@thirteengroup.co.uk

Director of investment and maintenance David Ripley said: “Whether our customers have just moved home or have had to replace their existing cooker, they can get in touch with us and we’ll install it safely, as long as 04

Beth’s Key Step

“Most importantly of all, I’ve gained my confidence back.”

“I love the person Thirteen has helped me become!”

housemate. Emma took them to view a special two-bedroom property in Hartlepool. They got the keys the same day. After two months proving she could successfully handle a tenancy, Beth was ready for the next step – getting a job. She was referred to Thirteen’s employability service and with the help of her case worker, Jess, she created a winning CV and secured four interviews with three different companies. One was Thirteen.

We offered her a customer service and lettings apprenticeship. Did she accept? On the spot.

When Beth found herself at Hartlepool Civic Centre registering as homeless, she felt it was the most embarrassing and degrading thing she had ever done. Things just kept plummeting. But at her lowest point, Thirteen’s Key Step service stepped in.

The trailblazing Key Step programme is for single people aged 18 to 34 who are homeless or at risk of having no home. It offers fully furnished properties shared between two or three people and, as Beth discovered, much, much more.

Now she’s working to help people in the same position as she was to seize a second chance, and she’s just moved into her second independent tenancy. Looking back on a life-changing year, how does she feel about Key Step and the employability service?

“I met up with Emma and Tasha from the team and they were so welcoming and understanding.

They motivated me and got me enrolled on a two week course to get me ready to be a tenant money management skills, budgeting, health and hygiene, how to deal with anti-social behaviour, and how to manage a tenancy.”

“They improved my relationship with my parents, boosted my confidence, motivated me to climb the property ladder and progress further in the workplace, but most importantly of all, I’ve gained my confidence back. I love the person that Thirteen has helped me become.”

Beth was matched up with a girl of the same age, with similar likes and dislikes – her future

Ready for that key step?

If you would like more information about our Key Step or employability services, just call us on 0300 111 1000 or visit our website www.thirteengroup.co.uk 05

and the living is easy.

Just follow the Thirteen checklist and feel warmer, healthier and safer this coming winter – especially important for older and vulnerable people.

Check you’re warm as warm can be

Check you’re ready (for practically anything!)

• Has your boiler had its annual service?

• Do your radiators heat up properly after 20-30 minutes?

re all your lights inside and outside • A your home working and do you have spare bulbs?

• Set the heating to come on earlier instead of turning up the thermostat

o you have a good torch handy?

• D Candles can be risky

• Set radiator valves at 18-21°C in your main living area and 16°C elsewhere

o you have spare batteries for your • D torch, thermostat or smoke alarms?

• Keep bedroom windows closed at night during cold spells., but do keep rooms ventilated at other times to avoid condensation

eep your home aired to prevent • K condensation, especially when using the shower or cooking

• If you’re going away, set the thermostat to 5°C to prevent frozen pipes.

ave you signed up for free flood alerts • H at https://flood-warning-information. service.gov.uk/warnings?

• Check if you’re entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment - www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment • Check if you’re entitled to a Cold Weather Payment (www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment)

ave you stored emergency and useful • H contact numbers in your phone. (You can call 105 about local power cuts)

• Check if you can save on your electricity bill (www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discountscheme)

06

Help with your heating costs

important to make sure Many of us worry about rising fuel costs, so it’s nts you’re entitled to that discou or s benefit any on out missing not you’re Hel p with you warm. r home hea your ting keep you costs help will y, whether you’re at Many of us worry about rising fuel costs with heating your arly helps nancial and practical help, so it’s important to make sure claim fi You may be able you’retonot missing out on any Fuel ld the Co benefPayme nt andunts its or disco you’re le include the Winter entitled to that availab home. Grantswill help you keep yourreceive home warm . nt off your electricity discou a also m your could You nt.

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home. Grants available include the warmth from your Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold ms more Find outWeat her Payment. You could also receiv e a discount off your electricity ut, so you bill for winte in severe weather r undeent r the Warm Home Discount Schem el-paym www.gov.uk/winter-fu e. ld-weather-payment ng problems www.gov.uk/co able to get Find out-home or going out, so you www.gov.uk/th mor -discou e nt-scheme e-warm www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment cy weather you’re not us www. ocal GP able to get Contact gov.uk/cold-weather-payment www.gov.uk/the t ourount-scheme contac please-hom ns-warm e-disc ths in the icy weather If you have any questio is forecast customer service team: to your local GP elivery Contact us

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Keep warm, safe and well this winter Keep warm, safe and well this winter

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eep a hot water bottle and a blanket • K handy ave regular hot drinks and at least one • H hot meal a day to keep energy up ear layers of clothing instead of one • W thick layer to trap warmth ear hats, scarves and gloves outside and • W in severe weather, stay indoors eep your mobile phone charged whether • K you’re staying in or going out

31/10/2018 14:29

eep extra food in cupboards and the • K freezer in case you can’t to get to the shops

31/10/2018 14:29

eep a sand and salt mixture to put on • K steps or paths in icy weather et a flu jab – free to over 65s and others • G at risk, available from a GP or chemist rder repeat prescriptions from your • O chemist early if bad weather is forecast sk your chemist about prescription pick• A up and delivery in case you can’t get out

We’re always here to help If you have any questions about winter warmth please contact our customer service team:

eep simple cold, flu and throat remedies • K in the house

customerservices@thirteengroup.co.uk 0300 111 1000 www.thirteengroup.co.uk ThirteenGroup @Thirteen_Group

eep active to keep warm – move around • K for at least one hour and don’t stay sitting down for long

07

Let’s go to

If the North is to shine in the digital future, Boho Zone North is the beacon.

Thirteen has just secured the go-ahead for Boho Zone North to be built on land south of Gosford Street in Middlesbrough.

The highest eco-standards and 21st century design will create an affordable, contemporary development where Boho2 residents can significantly reduce bills and their carbon footprint.

The development will include 40 live/work low cost apartments in the high profile Middlehaven regeneration area of the town, with work to start in early 2020. Boho Zone North is perfectly placed to take advantage of BohoZone, the ‘Boro’s thriving digital, creative and business hub.

Local people have helped shape the plans during community consultations and the feedback from everyone has been incredibly positive.

If the North is to shine in the digital future, Boho Zone North is the beacon. We’re proud to be a part of it.

Already this innovative quarter is the setting for businesses ranging from incubating small, residential-based start-ups through to multimillion pound turnover enterprises. Here you can enjoy networking opportunities to rub shoulders and generate ideas with like-minded people. Plus, advanced facilities such as ultra-fast broadband.

For more details, visit our website www.thirteengroup.co.uk/bohouse or call 01642 947 860.

This fantastic new building provides modern, comfortable accommodation with integrated workspace for self-employed people to develop their own business.

08

Turn home ownership dreams into reality?

you can, Joanne!

Joanne Latus couldn’t believe her eyes. Nor her luck. Living in a rented apartment in Hartburn, Stockton, to own a home was for her an unaffordable dream. Then, earlier this year driving down Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, she noticed a sign.

lower deposit and it opens the door to an age group who would otherwise be shut out.

What’s more, the properties are specially designed for their needs with integrated kitchen appliances and a wet room, as well as external doors with level access.

“It was promoting some new bungalows,” she remembers. “From that moment on I knew it was somewhere I’d love to live. I rang Thirteen for more information and it’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

“Everything has been finished to such a high standard, and as I have mobility issues I love that they’ve included lots of accessibility features,” said Joanne. “Richard and Sue from the sales team were great all the way through and made it really easy for me. I would really have struggled to afford such a beautiful home without shared ownership.”

She’s now moved into one of seven beautiful two-bedroom bungalows built around a secluded landscaped courtyard in the Trinity View development.

Richard Crowe, sales executive at Thirteen added: “It’s been fantastic to see Trinity View develop into such a beautiful scheme and a privilege to help and support new residents.

The developing relationships between them has been a joy to watch.”

What made it happen so easily and quickly?

The answer is a helpful scheme from Thirteen for people over 55 – Buyin Part with Shared Ownership. You rent part from Thirteen and you buy the other part. This means a significantly

Can Buyin Part with Shared Ownership open the door for you?

Part-buying and part-renting works like this. First you decide what percentage to buy (minimum 25%) and pay Thirteen the remaining proportion in rent. You pay the deposit only on the part you purchase. For example, if the ownership ratio is 50:50, then you pay just half the normal deposit. This makes it much easier to get on the housing ladder. Over time, you can increase your share when you can afford it.

Although Trinity View bungalows were quickly snapped up, the shared ownership idea is so popular, Thirteen is looking at more developments across the region. Just check the website for updates www.thirteengroup.co.uk/FindaHome 09

Across the Tees Valley, every working day at Thirteen last year we...

Invested £382,000 in repairing tenants’ homes

Gained £4,055 in Universal Credit for customers

Responded to 700 maintenance callouts

Provided 13 new homes for customers

Built 1½ new homes

Gained £8,948 in additional benefits for customers

£6,000 Resolved 1.3 complaints

Helped seven homeless people

Maintained our Signed up four people regulatory governance to our employment and rating at G1 (the highest training programmes possible rating)

Invested £6,000 to help tenants live independently at home

Maintained our regulatory financial viability at V1 (the highest possible rating)

If you would like to see a full copy of your annual report, just pop to our website www.thirteengroup.co.uk/AboutUs 10

Last year, customers said: Customers told us that improving customer satisfaction should be one of our key actions.

They said: Improving customer satisfaction should be one of our key actions.

We did: We implemented actions including investing in our contact team and improving our repairs service. Overall customer satisfaction with the services Thirteen provides increased to 87%.

They said: Customers wanted to have a clear understanding of our social impact in the Tees Valley.

We did: We have used national standards to calculate that we have gained the equivalent of ÂŁ1.2m in social value for our area and we published a social value report.

They said: Customers wanted us to build more affordable homes.

We did: Last year, we built 401 new homes to rent or buy.

We also acquired Gus Robinson Developments to help us deliver more affordable homes.

They said: Ensuring we are legal, compliant and safe, and that we deliver a continuous value for money programme was at the top of the customers list.

We did: When we were recently inspected by our regulator, we were given ratings of G1 for governance and V1 for finance – the highest possible rating.

11

Universal Credit.

Keep calm and carry on…

It looks like Universal Credit (UC) is here to stay, but there’s no need to panic about applying for it and managing your money.

Have a look at these tips to help you when • Your Claimant Commitment you need to make a claim.

Check out these top tips

should be tailored for you If you have any problems with looking for work, let your work coach know. They should take these into consideration.

• Make sure you actually need to make a claim If you are told you have to claim, seek advice straight away from one of our advisers to check that it’s your best or only option.

• Make sure you attend all your appointments If you are late or fail to attend an appointment you can be sanctioned.

Check your ‘to-do’ list every day if you can and make sure you complete any actions you are given.

• UC is claimed online If you do not have your own computer or device, find out where you can access public computers and get ready by setting up an email address.

• Plan your monthly budget UC is paid monthly, so you may need to make changes to the way you budget to avoid running out of money before the end of the month. Ask our money advice team for help or look at the tips on our website www.thirteengroup.co.uk/ MoneyAdvice.

• Calling the UC helpline It’s best to call from the phone number you gave the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when you set up your UC account. You’ll have a shorter wait and might be put through to the same person who handled previous calls you’ve made.

• Consent for someone to speak on your behalf You can ask another person or organisation to help you deal with your claim, maybe if you don’t understand something, need help to challenge a decision or just want someone to ring on your behalf.

You have to let the DWP know that you give permission for them to act for you. This is called explicit consent, and can be provided by you in writing, by making a note on your journal, through the UC helpline or face-to-face.

• Keep a spending diary Note down all money coming in and every payment going out (such as rent and living expenses) to see exactly what you are spending and keep track of your cash.

• Set up automated bill payments Using direct debits or standing orders to automatically pay for rent and energy bills will help you budget, so you know that what’s left is yours to spend.

• You can ask for an advance payment if you’re going to find it hard to manage until you receive your first payment Remember you have to pay back this advance, so only get as much as you need, no more, because your monthly UC payments will be reduced until you have paid the advance back.

• Split payments UC is paid to one person, even if you are claiming as a couple. If you’re concerned that your partner will not pass on the money to you or will try and control the money, you can ask for the payment to be split (the term for it is simply a ‘split payment’).

The UC team is always here to help If you need some advice and guidance, don’t worry, we have a team of expert staff ready to support you. Just call 0300 111 1000 and ask for the Universal Credit team.

12

Thirteen Academy: all about you Thirteen is about much more than building and managing homes. And part of that is helping people in our community to overcome personal and financial barriers to make the most of themselves.

This year we launched the Thirteen Academy in partnership with Teesside University, to give a number of customers the chance to study for a degree with course fees paid by us. The scheme supports people from low-income households, who might not otherwise consider applying to university, to study for a degree.

their dream job,” said Ian Wardle, Thirteen’s chief executive.

“These students are a perfect example of the Thirteen Academy in action and it is hugely rewarding to see them on their way to achieving their aspirations. I’d like to wish them all every success at university and in their future careers.

And here is our first cohort! In the foreground is the class of 2019 as they embark on their degrees, pictured with some of our involved customers.

“At Thirteen, we are wholly committed, not just to providing high quality homes for people to live in, but to supporting our customers to reach their full potential.”

“Thirteen Academy is a fantastic opportunity for those who live in a Thirteen home and are on a low-income to study for a degree and land

“He has changed my life” This year, for our annual staff awards we asked customers to put forward nominations for the new Great Customer Service category and you didn’t disappoint! We were inundated with nominations.

Of course, everyone should get the same quality of service no matter where and how they come into contact with us, but this award was for service that went higher than expectations.

Step forward Nigel. Our first

winner, Nigel Moses, adaptations manager, received two nominations from customers. One of them had become wheelchair-bound at 24 years old following an accident in 2017.

“Nigel really stood out because he worked tirelessly to ensure my property was fitted not only to the occupational therapist’s requests, but more importantly, to meet MY needs. He went above and beyond to ensure that I was

completely happy with all of the adaptations he had put in place. I was blown away by the adjustments he managed to make possible and I can honestly say he has changed my life.”

Your turn Bradley. Our second

winner was Bradley Hawke, electrical and maintenance support in the bespoke lettings team, with three nominations. They all agreed he goes the extra mile.

He is friendly, professional and sensitive to vulnerable residents and will do extra little jobs if needed.

One of his nominators said: “He’s been involved from the start in setting up a bespoke service to individuals supported at one of our schemes.

He has really got to know the individuals that we support, and he often adjusts his approach to their individual needs. He is always flexible, patient and, most of all, respectful.”

Thank you to every customer that put forward a nomination.

13

From Port Clarence to Portrack to Hemlington…

We’re going

all over It’s a pleasure to open your front door and find yourself not just in a collection of houses but a real neighbourhood that looks cared for and colourful. Thirteen has £5m of environmental work in the pipeline, but it’s local people that make the biggest difference. As three of our communities demonstrate - beautifully.

Port Clarence, Stockton Bursting into song as well as bloom The people of Stockton’s Port Clarence are celebrating after winning a bronze award in the village class of the 2019 Northumbria in Bloom competition, after lots of hard work! It started with throwing out five truckloads of litter, the result of a spring clean organised by the residents’ group, with children, parents, young people, grandmas and grandads pitching in at the family event.

I am very proud of my family’s ties to ‘The Port.’ It will always occupy a special place in my heart.”

Chris Smith, executive director of service delivery and development at Thirteen, said: “This is a fabulous achievement and is all part of a wider programme of work in the area where our neighbourhood co-ordinators, grounds and facilities staff are working with partners to help the area to develop.”

Thirteen then worked with residents, StocktonOn-Tees Borough Council and the Billingham Environmental Link Programme (BELP) to plant new wildflower meadows, tubs, hanging baskets, create original sculptures, spruce up the community hub and install new artwork on local bus stops and buildings.

Congratulations to all involved!.

When the Northumbria in Bloom judges arrived in July they were greeted not only by new sights but a new song – the Port Clarence anthem, “Made of Girders”, penned by folk singer Claire Hamill and sung by children from High Clarence School.

Claire was born and raised in Port Clarence and went on to become a successful singer-songwriter, touring America and releasing 11 albums. Claire said: “I am delighted to be involved in this wonderful project.

14

Reducing issues such as fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour and improving quality of life

This new project will help to deliver a wide range of benefits...

Portrack, Stockton On track for transformation

Hemlington, Middlesbrough Making a clean sweep of it

What began with a face-lift for the shopping parade is now continuing with almost £1/4million of investment from Thirteen to lift the spirits of people living on the Portrack estate – not only residents of around 100 homes managed by Thirteen, but also of privately owned and rented properties in the area.

It began with an event where Thirteen helped local children to plant their own sunflowers and we showed off our new clean sweep equipment.

Residents came along to get involved in litter picking, give their opinions and find out about services including energy and money advice.

Now Thirteen and Middlesbrough Council are forging ahead with a two-year trial to improve the Hemlington estate and the way that environmental services are allocated.

Carried out with the help of partners Groundwork North East and Cumbria and contractor Brambledown, the transformation is now complete with new bollards and barriers erected; landscaping to prevent nuisance vehicles; planting including new trees; constructing new boundary walls; and adopting a number of communal plots to improve them for the community.

Thirteen is taking on responsibility for the Dodford estate (also known as the Ds), including fly tipping, litter collection, removing graffiti, road sweeping, grass cutting, weed and shrub clearance, and litter bins. Middlesbrough Council is doing the same in the Hemlington ‘Es’ estate.

Chris Smith added: “This new project will help to deliver a wide range of benefits for the local community, including an improved environment for residents while building structures and groundwork to help reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour and crime in the area.”

Geoff Field, Middlesbrough Council’s director of environment and commercial services, said: “By working closely with residents and partners like Thirteen we can address issues earlier and more effectively, reducing issues such as fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and improving quality of life.”

15

Our school uniform pledge

“Back to School.” Don’t you just dread the approaching start of term and having to buy new school uniforms!

For some families it can be more than a bother. It can be a financial crisis.

That’s why this year, Thirteen pledged to help its most vulnerable customers by offering a number of pre-loved school uniform items donated by kind-hearted Thirteen staff, family and friends with extra support from local supermarkets.

cover the cost” said Angela Corner, Thirteen’s senior tenancy support service manager. “Using a loan shark then has massive repercussions for the family as the debt grows, causing untold stress.

“We have been able to help some of our most vulnerable customers this summer, with some of the children kitted out in full uniforms from blazers to socks. The feedback has been so positive that we have decided to do this again next summer.”

Almost 130 children benefited. Uniforms were distributed to families during the school summer holidays. A number of roadshows were also held across Middlesbrough and Stockton to give away much-needed clothes including skirts, pinafores, summer dresses, trousers, shorts, jumpers, cardigans, shirts, blouses, blazers, PE kits, shoes and bags.

The scheme was inspired by a visit to Clothe & Feed, a charity that is committed to providing school uniforms to those that need it the most.

“We know that there are a lot of families that really struggle with the cost of school uniform and some have even turned to loan shark to help

Keep an eye out on social media for details next year!

16

Drawing on pupil talent to make sites safer The idea of a construction site being an exciting place to play could well be a fatal attraction. Every year two or three children in the UK die on such sites and a great many more are injured. It’s a risk that we’re doing all we can to prevent.

warning signs, building site machinery, protective clothing and the many hazards that can be found on sites.

Kelly Lemon, development coordinator at Thirteen, said: “With the Roworth Road site really taking shape it’s vital that we make children aware that it is never, ever safe to play on a construction site. We have found that engaging children in a creative exercise helps to reinforce the message.”

That’s why posters drawn by pupils from Thorntree and Pennyman primary schools, Middlesbrough, are appearing on hoardings at the nearby Roworth Road development where Thirteen is building 89 new homes.

Carrying health and safety warnings, these are winning entries in a competition that was part of an awareness-raising visit by Thirteen and our development arm, Gus Robinson.

The school’s head teacher, Kate Barkley, added: “The team did a fantastic job presenting to the children. They managed to answer all their questions while delivering the message in such a way that all pupils were able to understand.”

The youngsters learned about the dangers found every day on building sites and about safety

17

Feed the family for less Only buy what you need. Did you know thrownaway food costs a family £60 a year (Love Food Hate Waste estimate)? Look for loose fruit and vegetables rather than packaged ones and avoid multibuy deals where you don’t need more than one – it’s not a bargain buy if it gets wasted.

“Food glorious food” goes the song. Whether we use it as fuel or to tantalise the taste-buds, we spend £1 in every £10 on food and drink. That means any savings we make when shopping or cooking can leave more to save or spend as you wish, just by doing things a little differently.

Be shopper savvy

Plan your meal. Spend time reading recipes before you head out and work out exactly what you’ll need and how much. Then take a shopping list with you so you don’t get distracted or forget what you need.

Change the brand. Supermarket own label products are often the cheapest. and sometimes get made in the same factory as the big-name brands.

Try out a cheaper option and see if you or your family notice the difference.

Meals for under a fiver Tasty, nutritious and filling meals for less than you spend now – why not! To inspire you here’s an example of a healthy, cheap, easy and tasty recipe to keep you warm on a cool autumn evening. Best of all, it’s under a fiver!

Switch your supermarket. It might not be worth going miles out of your way to save a few pennies, but if you’ve a choice of supermarkets it’s not much effort to compare prices and opt for the lowest.

Chilli con Carne

Method: 1. Gently fry the onion in a large wok/frying pan for 2 minutes, or until soft 2. Add the beef mince, breaking up the meat as much as possible 3. When meat has completely browned add the sliced up red/green/yellow pepper and chopped up chilli and allow to cook gently 4. Once the peppers have softened, add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 2 minutes 5. Add the kidney beans and chilli powder, salt and pepper to taste (as little or as much as you like, depending on how spicy you want it) and let the whole dish simmer on a low heat for 10 to 15 minutes 6. While the chilli simmers, cook the rice according to the packet instructions 7. Drain the rice and serve it hot with your tasty chilli

Ingredients Price* 1 white/brown onion (finely chopped) 20p 1 red, green or yellow pepper (cut into thin strips) 48p 1 red chilli (chopped with or without seeds) 49p 500g beef mince £2.30 1 400g tin of kidney beans 30p 1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 35p 240g rice (dry weight) 79p Total £4.91 * costings based on a value supermarket

From the store cupboard: Chilli powder, salt, pepper and any kind of cooking oil

For a delicious vegetarian or vegan version, just swap the beef mince for a meat-free alternative.

Do you have any easy recipes to share?

Why not send in your suggestions and we will pick the best ones for our next issue! Email us at communications@thirteengroup.co.uk 18

Loan sharks communities bite back Loan sharks are lurking in the backwaters of Tees Valley, and luring locals into impossible-to-pay-back debt.

The trouble is, they’re hard to recognise – until it’s too late. It’s now time to expose them!

Could YOU recognise a loan shark?

Here are the tell-tale signs to look out for. A loan shark might: • offer little or no paperwork such as a credit agreement or record of payments • refuse to provide information, such as the interest rate or how much you owe • take items as security, such as passports, bank cards and driving licenses • increase the debt or add additional charges at any time • refuse to allow you to settle your debt • get nasty – using intimidation, threats or violence to enforce repayment.

“I spoke to a lady recently who was deeply in debt and couldn’t get out of the cycle, taking loan after loan. She was going to open a credit union account to ‘make it stop’,” says Fiona Heighton, financial support services manager at Thirteen.

“We hear stories like this time and again. So, we’re working with partners to put a stop to loan sharks.”

Let’s talk

We’ve taken to the streets in a combined effort from Thirteen’s neighbourhood, money advice and contact teams and a liaison officer from the national illegal money lending team.

Fiona continued: “We know there are loan sharks operating in our communities, causing real hardship for customers and their family and friends too. We are working hard to get the message out that we offer help, so that you avoid using loan sharks.”

We’ve knocked on hundreds of doors in Stockton and Middlesbrough, dropped leaflets in Hartlepool and held credit union incentive events to help raise awareness of the dangers of loan sharks, also known as illegal money lenders.

We’ve also had a ‘Bite Back’ week on social media.

Anyone affected by illegal money lending and needing support can talk to the national illegal money lending team safely and in confidence by calling their 24/7 helpline on 0300 555 2222 or emailing reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk. Thirteen customers can also speak to their local neighbourhood co-ordinator.

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Useful contacts for customers Got a query?

You can find out what’s going on in your local area, such as improvements to homes and communities, planned maintenance and neighbourhood plans on our website or by speaking to your neighbourhood co-ordinator.

Give us a call on 0300 111 1000 from 8am to 8pm Email us customerservices@thirteengroup.co.uk Or pop to our website www.thirteengroup.co.uk

Money Advice and Universal Credit If you need some advice and guidance, don’t worry, we have teams of expert staff ready to support you.

Just call 0300 111 1000 and ask for the Money Advice or Universal Credit teams.

To find out who they are enter your postcode online at www.thirteengroup.co.uk/findoutabout

Reporting a repair Our maintenance team carries out a range of repairs and maintenance work on your home.

Call 0300 111 1000 or visit www.thirteengroup co.uk/selfservice

Reporting anti-social behaviour We want you to feel safe at all times so we don’t tolerate nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

If you have a problem in your area please speak to your neighbourhood co-ordinator or phone us on 0300 111 1000.

If the matter is serious you should contact the local police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.

Gas safety in your home We carry out checks free of charge for all customers. It’s a legal requirement to make sure that gas appliances are running safely and is vital to ensure you’re safe in your home.

We’ll send you an appointment.

Call 0300 111 1000.

24 hour self service You can contact us 24 hours a day, seven days a week using our self-service website www.thirteengroup.co.uk/selfservice The self-service website helps you to report a repair, view and manage your rent account, pay rent, get details about your tenancy and much more.

Follow us on social media

www.thirteengroup.co.uk ThirteenGroup @Thirteen_Group

Domestic abuse support If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the tenancy support team in complete confidence on 0300 111 1000 or email tenancy.support@ thirteengroup.co.uk You can also call or text 07464 655 582 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and someone from the team will respond during working hours.