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Shape the Service Page 3

Garden advice

Garden Competition Page 4 Spotlight on

Wickham Page 5 Free events

Issue 5 Spring/Summer 2017 Produced in partnership with Winchester City Council Tenants

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Blooming lovely!

What's On Page 10

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Tenant Voice Hello With spring in full bloom and the promise of warmer weather ahead, now is a fabulous time to enjoy the great outdoors, so we’ve packed this issue of Tenant Voice with lots of ideas to get you out in the fresh air.

You can also request a digital copy delivered straight to your inbox. Let us know if you have an idea for a story you’d like to read in our next issue.

Our what’s on guide and sports listings on pages 10 and 11 are full of free or low cost activities the whole family can enjoy, and our focus on Wickham (page 5) should tempt you to visit for a day. If you want to stay closer to home, check out page 4 to discover how to transform your garden or balcony on a budget. If you do develop green fingers, don’t forget to enter our special gardening competition to win some fantastic prizes.

Best wishes The Editorial Team

Don’t forget you can now keep up to date with housing news by reading Tenant Voice on our website: www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

Message from Monica Gill, Chair of TACT Who better to tell the Council what’s right and what’s wrong with the service than us, the tenants? TACT (Tenant and Council Together) is a tenant-led group that challenges the Council when improvements are needed. We deal directly with senior managers and councillors to ensure our issues are listened to. We hold regular meetings in the Guildhall to discuss issues affecting tenants and to liaise with Council staff (copies of the agenda are in the Guildhall reception).

We know that not everyone can or will want to attend meetings, but we want to hear from you if you have any issues or ideas about the Housing Service. Please get in touch: • write to me at the council address (see back cover) • email: monicag70@talktalk.net • visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.comwinchesterTACT or web page: www.winchester.gov.uk/housing/tact/ A recent event was organised by Peacejam students from The University of Winchester to knock down barriers and promote understanding between the generations. Older tenants in our Sheltered housing schemes enjoyed dancing, singing and music.

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What a party!

Proving that age is no barrier to having fun, many 90 year-olds took to the dance floor at our sheltered housing Christmas party back in December. Over 100 of our older tenants enjoyed the old-fashioned kneesup and sing-along which also included a three-course Christmas lunch and a free raffle. We even laid on free transport to enable tenants from our 12 sheltered housing schemes right across the district to join in the fun.

Thank you This issue of Tenant Voice was put together with the help of the following tenants: Monica Gill, Ken Gore, David Cruden, Rosemary Gedge, Joan Downing, Joan Stevens, Judith Steventon Baker and Marie Arthur.

www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

You can help shape the service If you’ve got an issue or concern about your home or neighbourhood, or a good idea about how we can improve the service please don’t keep it to yourself. We want to hear from you. There are lots of ways for you to make your voice heard.

Join TACT or one of our Tenant Groups TACT meets regularly with the Council to review performance, learn about future developments and to challenge areas that tenants do not think are working well. Tenant groups will look at key services in more detail and carry out specific “scrutiny reviews” of under performing services.

The excellent work carried out by our scrutiny groups and TACT to challenge us to constantly improve, was recently recognised at the national Customer Scrutiny Inspections Awards.

Help create this magazine Tenant Voice is your magazine and you can help us to create it by joining our Readers Panel. If you’ve got a good idea for a future article please get in touch. Email: tenantvoice@ winchester.gov.uk

Become a mystery shopper This is a great way to put our services to the test, and help raise standards for everyone. You simply complete a questionnaire about your experience of a council service and we use your feedback to make improvements.

Plus, you even receive shopping vouchers as a thank you for taking part. Recently mystery shoppers have reported back on our out of hours service and how gas engineers carried out the annual gas safety check in their homes. Their comments will help us to work better in these areas.

Improve where you live Rather than just moaning about the lack of car parking at Elizabeth Close in Wickham, local tenant Fiona Morgan decided to do something about it.

She tirelessly campaigned about the issue, and as a result we have recently extended the car park area and installed "residents only" parking signs.

“I became a mystery shopper to help improve services plus it’s good fun!” said a tenant from Winnall

“It goes to show what can be achieved when you speak out” Fiona Morgan, council tenant

If you would like to see some estate improvements in your area contact www.winchester.gov.uk/estate-improvement To find out more about getting involved with the Council, please email tenantvoice@winchester.gov.uk

Produced in partnership with tenants

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Tenant Voice Get growing & win!

Gardening is a fantastic hobby. Not only does it keep you fit and healthy, it can help reduce stress and the results will leave your outside space looking blooming lovely!

And what’s more, you don’t need lots of experience or money to transform your garden, balcony or even a window box into something extraspecial. We’ve got some top tips to get you started and don’t forget to enter our gardening competition to win some amazing prizes.

Fit it around your other commitments You don’t need to invest a lot of time to see real results from gardening. Just 10 minutes a day or whatever time you can spare will still make a difference.

No budget? No problem!

Winners of our 2016 gardening competition Paul and Sally from Wickham share their advice: “This is the ideal time to build your garden.

The waste recycling centres are bursting with discarded pots and tubs, paving slabs and garden ornaments. Visit early on a Monday morning to get the best of the weekend treasure trove! Track down your local car boot sales. Keen gardeners sell off their surplus plants for pennies and will often throw in some free advice on how to care for them. Experiment, use your imagination and have fun!”

Keep fit Gardening is for everyone – whatever your age or mobility level. It keeps you fit and active and also improves mental as well as physical health by combatting depression and making you feel more positive.

Cut your shopping bills Grow your own fruit, veg and herbs, and enjoy the benefits of home-grown produce. You’ll notice a difference in taste and on your pocket.

Garden Competition If you’re proud of your garden enter it into our competition in one of the following categories: • Best Garden (including communal/ sheltered schemes) • Best Balcony • Best Allotment / Veg Patch All these categories have a first prize of £250 of vouchers • Best Container/Container Garden First Prize of £100 Vouchers Nominate your garden or a neighbors before the closing date of 17 July, 2017. Please include your name and address and the address of the garden to: Freepost Plus RTLH-KXUASEEC, Tenant Voice, Housing Services, Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 0ZT or email tenantvoice@winchester.gov.uk

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www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

Spotlight on Wickham Our council homes aren’t just in Winchester city centre. We manage properties right across the surrounding picturesque districts, including many beautiful towns and villages. In the first of our new series shining the spotlight on our different neighbourhoods, we focus on the picture-postcard town of Wickham.

Winchester City Council have 224 properties in Wickham, including Hostels, Bunglows, a Sheltered Scheme and 2 and 3 bedroom homes.

What to see and do Wickham is famous for its independent shops and eateries, as well as its beautiful architecture in and around the historic town square. Parking is free in the long term car park (Station Close, off Mill Lane), and free for the first 30 minutes in the Square.

Chesapeake Mill

If you’ve an eye for a bargain, or like to browse, make sure you allow an hour or two to visit Chesapeake Mill.

This extraordinary grade II listed mill, built in 1820, incorporates timber from the US Frigate (of the same name). A working mill for much of its life, this grand building is now full to the brim with of antiques, home furnishings, art and jewellery as well as a tea room.

For more information on opening times visit www.chesapeakemill.co.uk

Share your snaps & win an iPad!

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Wickham Water Meadows

These naturally formed water meadows, covering approximately eight acres, are a remarkable and peaceful space in the middle of the town. The water meadows were used for cattle grazing. However, thanks to the hard work of local residents and volunteers, the area has been transformed, complete with a new bridge across the River Meon. It’s now a peaceful place to walk, picnic or simply spend sometime by the water’s edge.

St. Nicholas Church Dating back to 1120, this delightful brick and flint church has been extended several times and underwent signification restoration in the late 19th century, well worth a visit. For more information www.stnicholaswickham.org.uk

See back page for details.

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“I’ve lived in Wickham for 31 years and have always loved walking around the beautiful countryside. It’s a great place to live with a lovely community feel.”

Mr Cox, a tenant from Wykeham Field

Clubs and activities The Wickham Centre is the hub of the community. There’s a cinema and a huge range of clubs and activities catering for all ages and interests, from tiny tots to pensioners. Keep fit, computers, music, arts & crafts, sports, singing, and upholstery are just some of clubs that take place there regularly.

Get active

Visit www.wickhamcentre.org.uk or call 01329 833 688 for more details.

Explore Wickham Water Meadows; or walk or cycle the Meon Valley Trail which stretches nine miles along the route of the old Meon Valley Railway.

St Nicholas Church Fete, Southwick Road 10 June, 2pm

Family fun West Walk play area is perfect for a fun family day out with an adventure playground, picnic areas, toilets on site and walking trails to explore the surrounding woodlands.

Produced in partnership with tenants

Events

Wickham Festival 3-6 August Annual family-friendly music festival For more details and events visit www.wickhamsquare.co.uk

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With soaring house prices, more people are struggling to get on the housing ladder. The need for more affordable, Winchesterr good quality homes to rent and to buy, is more important than ever. That’s why we have promised to develop 300 new council homes in the next three years. We are well on target and 83% are already built or under way, read Bourne Close the latest news below: Cheriton & Bishops Sutton Olivers Battery & Badger Farm

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52 new apartments to rent or buy, St Bartholemew just for overKiln55’s, featuring a 24 hour Cottages Victoria House on-call care team; ideal for those who need a hand to live independently.

Chesil Street Launching this autumn.

Bishops Waltham

Droxford, Soberton & Hambledon

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St. Bartholomew Ward

Bailey Close

27 new apartments under construction near Winchester train station. The Kiln Cottages one and two bedroom properties will be available to rent or for shared ownership.

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Droxford, Soberton & Hambledon

Owslebury & Curdridge

Swanmore & Newtown

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Bailey Close in Stanmore and Mitford Road in Alresford Work is about to start to create 14 more affordable homes. Plus, we will be submitting planning applications shortly for a further 89 units to be developed in Winchester soon.

Boarhunt & Southwick

Victoria Court

Completed Schemes

Our new homes aren’t just affordable, they’re award winning! The 12 new council homes at Symonds Close in Weeke that featured in our last issue of Tenant Voice have recently won a top design award for their innovative family friendly and eco features.

To find out more about any of the new homes featured above please call 01962 848 075, email NDelivery@winchester.gov.uk or visit www.winchester.gov.uk/ housing/new-affordable-housing

Improving your homes As well as building new properties, we continue to invest in improving our existing homes and estates.

Over the next year we will be carrying out repairs and painting around 20% of our housing stock.

If your home has been selected for these improvements you will receive a letter outlining the work to be carried out, the name of the contractor and a likely start date.

For more information please visit www.winchester.gov.uk/housing/ council-housing-tenants/repairsand-improvements/improvinghousing-stock/

Front left: Steve Tilbury, Jeremy Tyrell , Debbie Rhodes, Andrew Palmer and Andrew Thompson

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www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

New interactive Tenants Handbook The Tenants Handbook tells you everything you need to know about your tenancy, your home and the services we provide. We’ve recently launched a new interactive copy on our website, which means it’s available whenever you need it.

Simply visit www.winchester.gov. uk/tenant-handbook to view a copy.

If you haven’t got access to the internet and would like a hard copy of the handbook just let us know by calling 01962 840 222

Access our services at the touch of a button You can now access even more of our council services via our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s a whole section just for our tenants, where you can pay your rent, report a repair, update your details and even access the new, interactive Tenant Handbook and find out about anything to do with your tenancy. Simply click on the link on the home page of our website.

Benefits update There are lots of changes taking place to the benefits system at the moment and it is important you know how you and your household will be affected.

To find out more visit www.winchester.gov.uk/ benefitsmoney-work/ or call 01962 848 298.

The government has scrapped pay to stay (which would have meant higher earning tenants being charged more in rent) but there are many other changes including the introduction of a lower Benefit Cap. In November the total amount of benefits available was lowered to:

Don’t forget, Universal Credit applications need to be made and managed online (see page 8 for help with getting online).

• £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you are a lone parent or in a couple (with or without children).

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support you must inform the Council of any changes you have at the time of the change.

• £257.69 per week (£13,400 a year) if you are single and you don’t have children, or your children don’t live with you.

Housing Benefit (HB) payments will no longer appear on your rent account at the start of each week. When you check your statement (which you can do online using “My Council House) make sure that the HB due for that week has been taken into account.

It’s Great to be Up to Date

To report any change in your circumstances please call 01962 848 539 Or email:

benefits@winchester.gov.uk

Changes may include: • Increase in wages, i.e. Tax Code changes in April, hourly rate increase (regardless of how small) • Increase in your private pension • child care costs stopping or decreasing due to additional ‘free’ funding.

Produced in partnership with tenants

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Tenant Voice

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Got a question?

If you have a question or query about a council service please get in touch and we will print the response in our next issue.

Someone has dumped an old mattress near my home, how can I report it?

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Please call 0300 300 0013 or visit www.winchester.gov.uk/report if it is on council land we will arrange for it to be removed. Dumping bulky items like furniture, cookers or fridges is called fly tipping and it is illegal, carrying a potential fine of up to £50,000 and a two year prison sentence.

If you need to get rid of large items take them to your local waste and recycling centre for free, or call our contractor Biffa on 01962 670 706 to arrange a collection from your home for a small charge.

My neighbour’s tree is hanging over into my garden. Can I cut the branches?

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Can I put up my own fence?

You may be able to replace or put up a new fence but you need to check with us first so we can make sure it runs along the correct boundary of your property.

For more information about erecting a fence check out our useful guide at www. winchester.gov.uk/maintenance-repairs

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What happens when the council phone lines go down?

Last year all our telephone lines went down in a power cut. If this ever does happen again we have a contingency line in place that will enable us to continue receiving calls, and if the fault lasts more than a day our call centre staff can work from Hyde Lodge.

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Talk to your neighbour and ask if they can cut back the overhanging branches. If not, ask if they will let you cut them back. You should check beforehand that the tree is not protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). If a TPO is in place, you need our permission before any work is carried out. Trees in gardens are the responsibility of the resident (whether private or tenant), but they should be managed in the correct way. We will inspect trees in tenants’ gardens if they present a risk. Please contact the Estates team for further advice if you think the tree is dangerous.

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Can I have a pet in my home?

This depends on the type and size of property you live in. Some council homes are suitable for dogs, cats, small caged or tanked pets but you must check with us first. Remember, it’s your responsibility to look after your pet and make sure they are not a nuisance to others.

www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

I want to get online but I haven’t got a computer

There are lots of places in Winchester where you can use a computer and access the internet free of charge.

These include local libraries, the Winchester Discovery Centre and the Carrol Centre in Stanmore. See the full list at: www.winchester.gov.uk/ benefits/universal-credit/public-accesscomputers

Support for families Family life can sometimes be hard. If you are struggling to cope, we can help.

Whether you’re struggling with children’s behavioural issues, unemployment, money and debt worries, addiction problems or violence at home, Winchester Supporting Families is here for you.

We can offer confidential and practical advice and support to stop problems getting worse and help get your family back on track.

Please get in touch on 01962 840 222 or email: lronan@winchester.gov.uk or bambrose@winchester.gov.uk

Get that job We offer a range of free services to help build your skills and confidence so you can find a new or a better job.

Our free mentoring service matches you with a mentor who can help you write your CV, search for jobs and improve your interview technique. It’s a great opportunity to receive personal advice and support tailored just for you.

Keeping you warm and cosy We have recently awarded a new gas contract to PH Jones (part of British Gas) to carry out the annual gas servicing and repairs to heating appliances in your homes. PH Jones will be replacing Liberty, so you will soon start to see PH Jones staff out and about when the new contract starts later this year. The contract

Useful contact numbers

We also offer a work placement scheme so you can gain hands-on experience and skills in the work place.

Anyone over 16 can apply to take part.

You’ll have something to add to your CV and you’ll gain a reference at the end of your placement.

For more details please call Carolyn Jay on 01962 848 417 or email cjay@winchester.gov.uk

Stay safe commences on 1 October and runs for three years, and can be extended if we are happy that PH Jones are doing a good job. We regularly review agreements with all our contractors to ensure that we are receiving value for money and that tenants receive excellent services.

Council customer services 01962 840 222 email housing@winchester.gov.uk Out of hours emergency repairs 01962 865 405

Produced in partnership with tenants

We need to check your heating appliances are safe and working properly so we carry out home safety checks each year. Please make sure you are in at the appointment time to give our contractors access to your home to carry out the important checks. If you do not let our contractors in to complete the annual service, your gas supply or appliance may be cut off - and you could even end up losing your home. All our staff and contractors wear ID badges, so remember to ask to see ID before letting anyone into your home.

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Tenant Voice Get active As the weather warms up there are lots of free or low-cost, fun activities across Winchester to get you moving, whatever your age.

What’s on at River Park Leisure Centre?

There is a lot going on at the leisure centre from pre-school activities soft play activities and learning to ride a bike to water polo and badminton.

Look out for free taster sessions for Gymnastics, Trampolining, Cheerleading as well as parent and child swimming lessons.

If you enjoy swimming, why not sign up to Swim4Health? This gives you unlimited access to all our public swimming sessions for 6 weeks, plus a free aquatic class, a gym induction and work out and a group workout class for just £28.

Community Programmes If you enjoy running and walking or would like to start, check out the free adult parkrun on a Saturday morning and junior parkrun on a Sunday both starting at 9am.

There are also health walks which take place daily across the Winchester district as well as walking football, netball sessions, and ladies cycling!

For more information please contact the Sport & Physical Activity team on 01962 848 329.

For more information please contact River Park Leisure Centre on 01962 848 700.

Winchester Criterium & CycleFest 2017 Sunday 11th June, The Broadway, Winchester.

A day of cycle racing and activities for all the family. The biggest and best event of its kind in the region. www.winchestercriterium.org

Don’t forget to wear a bike helmet and cycle responsibly on the roads.

A day of cycle racing and fun for all the family.

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www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

Dates for your diary Winchester Hat Fair across the City 30 June - 2 July The UK's longest running festival of free street theatre, comedy and music: www.hatfair.co.uk

Winchester Party in the Park

Saturday 29 July, 12pm - 5pm Somers Close Recreation Ground, Stanmore.

Free, fun family-friendly event with entertainment, children's funfair and stalls. www.facebook.com/ winchesterpartyinthepark

October half term Football Coaching

24 - 27 October Free football coaching for 6-16 year olds at locations across the district. Call 01962 848 329 or email: cdrummond@winchester.gov.uk

There are lots of fun, free events and activities. Don’t forget to let us know about any events that you are involved in so we can promote them in our Autumn/Winter edition.

Free Tenant Training Opportunities

Fire Safety Marshalling at Events

Learn something new or brush up on your skills at our free workshops and courses just for tenants and leaseholders. To book your place call 0800 716 987 or email

24 June, 10am – 3pm The Carroll Centre, Somers Close, SO22 4EJ An introduction to fire safety and marshalling, ideal for community event organisers and volunteers.

tenantinvolvement@winchester.gov.uk

Getting to grips with Value for Money

Wednesday 24 May, 10am – 3pm Guildhall Winchester.

Explore the meaning of value for money in social housing and what this means in practice.

Effectively Challenging Performance Wednesday 31 May, 10am - 3pm Guildhall Winchester.

Get to grips with performance information and how to effectively challenge current performance.

Essential First Aid with St John’s Ambulance

15 July, 10am – 1pm The Carroll Centre, Somers Close, SO22 4EJ. South Coast Training 28 October, 9:45am - 3:15pm at Novotel Hotel, Southampton. This course covers emergency life support procedures for adults, children and infants. Join interesting workshops and meet with other Council tenants.

Save the date!

We are planning a tenants’ conference on Saturday 24 February 2018 where you will be able to find out more about the housing service and meet other tenants and housing staff. Check out our next issue for more details.

Dee's Corner - Send me your good tips to add to my corner Make your home sparkle with my budget and eco-friendly spring cleaning tips.

• Remove baked-on food inside your microwave by microwaving a cup of water for a few minutes. The steam will help soften the splatters, so you can wipe it clean.

• Shine up stainless steel by mixing washing up liquid and warm water and rub in with a microfibre cloth.

Rinse with clean hot water and buff dry with a clean cloth.

• Don’t throw away your old toothbrush, it makes a great way to clean hard-to-reach areas in the bathroom and kitchen such as around the taps and drain.

• To remove pet hair from your sofa simply rub with a rubber glove.

• Turn the dial on your washing machine down to 30 degrees can save enough electricity in a year to make 2500 cups of tea

• Distilled white vinegar cuts through grease, deodorises and acts as a mild disinfectant. A diluted mix is good for cleaning windows (sponge on, then polish off using scrunched-up newspaper) approx.

8p per 100ml.

Produced in partnership with tenants

• If all else fails use good oldfashioned bicarbonate of soda to make your kitchen sparkle. It’s kind on the environment and very cheap to buy.

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Tenant Voice Simply "like" our Tenant Involvement Facebook Page and share your favourite photo of where you live before June 30, 2017 and you could win a brand new iPad. Plus, we’ll make the winning photo our Facebook cover photo.

• You are happy for us to use the image again in future publications (we will give you credit)

You can enter if:

Wi

Share your snaps and win an iPad

• You are 16 or over and live in a Winchester City Council property

n

an iPad!

• You took the photo yourself and have permission to share the image

WinchesterTenants

Congratulations...

To Gill Gutteridge who is the winner of our last issue competition.

She says she is delighted to receive a new iPad: “I watch the TV a great deal and it will be wonderful to be able to use the iPad to follow up many of my interests in more depth without having to write it down and transfer it to the computer.”

Osborne working with the community Our contractors Osborne are committed to working with us to improve our local communities, and so we were delighted when their Community Investment Manager Neal Allison was short-listed for a top award recently. Neal often helps vulnerable tenants, has lent a hand with local events such as street parties and even rolled up his sleeves to help re-decorate Winnall Community Centre. He made it to the Southern finals of the TPAS awards which celebrate the work of unsung local heroes in social housing.

“Neal is an invaluable asset to the local community in Winchester and also to Osborne. He is really appreciated by our tenants and I’m delighted his dedication has been recognised by TPAS.” Heather Emery, Tenant Involvement Officer

Osborne have also been busy helping us to transform Stanmore Park during a special community action day and recently their staff also stepped in to lend a hand in the kitchens at homelessness charity Trinity Winchester, preparing lunch for 50 homeless people.

If you have any particular needs which affect how you are able to use or be involved in, our services or how you would like to receive information for example - translation, interpreters, Braille, audio tape, large print, sign language – please contact the Customer Service Centre either by telephone 01962 840 222 or by email customerservice@winchester.gov.uk WinchesterTenants @WinchesterCity Freephone: 0800 716 987 Email: P12 tenantvoice@winchester.gov.uk www.winchester.gov.uk/tenantvoice

Winchester City Council Freepost Plus RTLH-KXUA-SEEC Tenant Involvement Winchester SO23 9ZT