Danymynydd news issue 1 november 2015

Danymynydd News Issue 1 November 2015

Welcome to the first edition of Danymynydd News

Have we listened Wales & West Housing are committed to working with our residents and listening to your views.

In a recent consultation, the overall majority of residents wanted to be kept updated via a newsletter. There are a lot of changes happening within housing and we, as an organisation, want our residents to feel confident in being able to approach our staff.

Meet the team These are the staff who work at the scheme. All staff can be contacted via our Customer Service Centre

Jenny Williams Housing Manager

Stuart Lock Tenancy Support Officer

0800 052 2526

Andrew Pritchard Housing Officer

Laura Gregson-Allcott Community Development Officer

Andrew Lester Asset Management Officer

Gemma Kennedy Tenancy Enforcement Officer

Scheme Manager Team

Amie Absalom

Yvonne Humphreys

Donna Samuel

Lucy Clewlow

Twitter: @wwha | 0800 052 2526| www.wwha.co.uk | Page 1

Danymynydd News | Issue 1 | November 2015

Staff carried out a consultation in the summer to get residents’ views of the scheme you live in. The purpose was to investigate your views of your homes, your scheme and the surrounding area, with the aim of finding out what could be done to improve it as a whole for those of you who live there. In all, 19 residents at Danymynydd responded to the survey.

You said:

84%

84% (16 out of 19) of the respondents feel safe in their homes

21%

21% (4 out of 19) of the respondents do not feel safe at the scheme due to youths outside and doors being left open

37%

37% (7 out of 19) of respondents feel that their scheme is unattractive, with all 7 stating that the main problem is the garden/grounds

74%

74% (14 out of 19) of the respondents get involved with community events or use the communal lounge

3 100% 56%

3 of the respondents feel they could benefit from an appointment with the Money Advice Officer All 19 of the respondents wanted to find out about their scheme via a newsletter 56% of residents rated the condition of their home 10 out of 10 and 56% also stated that Wales & West Housing look after the scheme well

Things to improve the scheme: • • • • • • • • •

A walkway to allow access to the lift A bigger lounge Bird tables Residents do not always get the “all call” announcement from the Scheme Manager and do not know what is going on Ensure there is still Scheme Manager cover in the new arrangements Trees need cutting back Windows not being cleaned Issues with the aerial Upgrading the inside and outside, as the scheme needs modernising

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Danymynydd News | Issue 1 | November 2015

What we have done, or plan to do • The communal lounge has been upgraded with a new carpet and chairs, and the kitchen has been upgraded too • The communal grounds have been improved • Tree work is planned for the winter months • A new window cleaner is being looked at • Your Asset Management Officer is looking into external decoration of the scheme as part of the planned maintenance programme • We will be investigating the issues with the aerial and possible upgrade / improvements • We held a residents’ meeting to discuss the new Scheme Manager service and advised you that there will still be cover at the scheme, when needed • We are investigating whether the community hall can be used more regularly by our residents • We are looking at a gardening project with our WWH Environmental team to look at hanging baskets, bird tables etc.

• Any resident who is suffering with debt issues can arrange an appointment with Stuart Lock, our Tenancy Support Officer, who has years of experience in this sector. He has already helped several residents at the scheme.

Introducing your Neighbourhood Police As several residents have stated that they do not feel safe at the scheme, here are the contact details of your Neighbourhood Policing team

PCSO Gareth Stoneham

PCSO Michael Rees

07825 387878

07825 523310

Email: gareth.stoneham2@south-wales. pnn.police.uk

Email: gareth.stoneham2@south-wales. pnn.police.uk

Meet your officers at a local PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting Area: Date and time: Venue:

Blaengarw, Pontycymmer 20th November 2015 at 6.30pm Garw Valley Boys and Girls Club

Twitter: @wwha | 0800 052 2526| www.wwha.co.uk | Page 3

Danymynydd News | Issue 1 | November 2015

Walkway update As discussed at the residents’ meeting last month, the walkway plans to connect the four flats to the main building has been postponed while alternative options are investigated.

Each resident affected by this decision will have a home visit to discuss the options available to them.

An appointment letter will be sent out shortly.

Don’t let money worries weigh you down If you are worried about money problems, why not book an appointment to have a chat with Stuart Lock, our Tenancy Support Officer, who has years of experience in this area?

Stuart has already helped a number of residents at the scheme and will be more than happy to meet with you.

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