Intouch Issue 87

intouch ISSUE 87 | FREE

The magazine for residents of Wales & West Housing

In this issue...

Our merger Residents' success at TPAS Awards Builth Wells homes welcomed West Wales 'Big Day Out'

We’re moving!

We are moving our Head Office and our Flint Office.

We will be dealing with emergencies only during these days, please contact us on 0800 052 2526.

All our contact details will remain the same, it’s just our addresses which will change to:

Archway House

Tŷ Draig

77 Parc Tŷ Glas Llanishen CARDIFF CF14 5DU

LLANISHEN

St. David’s Park Ewloe DEESIDE CH5 3DT

We are moving!

EWLOE

Our Head Office in Cardiff and our North Wales office in Flint are nearly packed up, ready for our big move.

Work has been going on for some time behind the scenes at both locations to get ready to switch off the lights and say goodbye after such a long time. We should be settled ready for Christmas. Yes, that time of year is fast approaching!

We’re not moving far though and all of our contact details, except the addresses, are staying the same.

We hope that the moves do not cause too much disruption, but we apologise in advance if any issues do arise.

If you have any queries, please give us a call on our freephone number 0800 052 2526.

Editor’s Letter and Contents| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 03

Editor’s Letter

Hi all,

Welcome to Issue 87 of InTouch – the magazine exclusively for residents of Wales & West Housing. We give a very warm welcome to our new residents and readers from West Wales and look forward to hearing your news and views in future editions.

It comes as no surprise that the main feature of this edition is about our merger with Tai Cantref. We explain what the merger is all about, what it means to all of our residents with useful Questions & Answers and show how other housing associations in Wales have successfully merged.

We also pay tribute to Clonc, the former magazine of Tai Cantref. We will bring in the popular themes from Clonc into future editions of InTouch so that we continue to improve your quarterly magazine.

As a result of the merger we have extended the deadline for our Making a Difference Awards Awards until the end of November so that all of our residents can take part.

The award ceremony will now happen on 3 March – read page 13 for more information.

On the subject of awards, on page 32, we celebrate residents’ achievements at the Tenant Participation Awards held in Llandudno recently. Congratulations go to Oak Court residents for coming first in the environmental project Award and to Bethany Thompson from West Wales who scooped Young Tenant of the Year Award.

Well done also to Jeff Bunce from Western Court who came third in the Tenant of the Year category.

We also report on how residents from Pen Lon in Bagillt acted swiftly as a community to survive terrible flash floods and minimise the damage caused to both homes and businesses.

If you have any ideas for InTouch or thoughts on how you think we could improve, please let us know. We will listen to you - whether it’s a suggestion for a regular feature, or a comment on what you do or don't like. Simply email contactus@wwha.co.uk or speak to our PR and Communications Team on 0800 052 2526.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as the longer evenings draw in – stay safe.

The Editorial Team

Contents Our Merger Making a Difference Awards Development Update WWH News & Info Quarterly Report WWH News & Info Planned Maintenance Making a Difference to your Community Health and Safety Money Matters Charity Update ICT Scam Messages Your News & Views

Follow us on twitter

04 13 14 16 21 28 29 30 35 36 38 40 41

@wwha

Did you know that you can now get more news and updates online?

Other languages and formats If you would like a copy of this edition of In Touch in Welsh or in another language or format, for example in large print, please let us know and we will help you.

Contact Us Wales & West Housing, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD. Telephone: 0800 052 2526 Text: 07788 310420 Email: contactus@wwha.co.uk Website: www.wwha.co.uk You can also contact members of staff direct by their email. For example, joe.bloggs@wwha.co.uk

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Wales & West Housing delighted to merge with Cymdeithas Tai Cantref We reported in the last issue of InTouch that merger talks were taking place between Wales & West Housing and Cymdeithas Tai Cantref.

Well since then, we’re delighted to announce that the merger has happened and we give a very warm welcome to both residents and staff from West Wales – Croeso!

Shareholders voted in favour of merging with us at a special meeting on August 9th, ratifying their decision on August 23rd.

The move will bring new opportunities and benefits to all of our residents and communities as we learn from each other, gain new experiences and explore future possibilities together.

Both housing associations have strong track records of developing new homes to meet the needs of affordable housing and providing an excellent service to residents.

Together we will be much stronger to tackle the challenges facing

the housing sector in the current economic climate.

With the merger we now look after more than 11,500 high quality affordable homes, are about to open our third extra care scheme, the first of its kind in Powys, and we provide supported housing solutions for people with a range of particular needs, across 15 local authority areas in Wales.

We are all proud of our Welsh heritage and the fact that we invest in Wales, providing work and training

"The move will bring new opportunities and benefits to all of our residents and communities"

Our Merger | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 05

opportunities for local people, helping to boost the Welsh economy.

We are fully committed to ensuring that residents receive services through the medium of Welsh.

Based in Cardiff and North Wales, we are excited about having a regional office in Newcastle Emlyn.

Our values of being fair, open, supportive, efficient and responsible to our staff, are what we measure all of our actions and decisions against.

Around nine out of ten residents are really pleased with us as their landlord.

General Needs

273 Retirement

204

Supported

4

158

General Needs

612

Retirement

141

In development

79

Flintshire

18

Extra Care

63

Wrexham

In development

General Needs

838

Supported

56

38

In development

35

10

Home Ownership

Home Ownership

88 24

Retirement

Total Stock

Supported

45

22

744

58

Denbighshire

Home Ownership

702

1

Conwy

41

General Needs

General Needs

Home Ownership

Supported

In development

Retirement

58

Extra Care

34

36

373

12

Home Ownership

General Needs

Total on site now

Retirement Supported

11,278

Powys

Retirement

72

60

313 Retirement

245

1

Pembrokeshire

General Needs

Carmarthenshire

Home Ownership

159 3 General Needs

65

Home Ownership

31

In development

Retirement Home Ownership

General Needs

64

Swansea

Home Ownership

28

149

2

Rhondda Cynon Taff Bridgend

9

90

107

Home Ownership

Cardiff

685

628

Home

28 305 38

In development

31

Retirement

Home Ownership

1,025

General Needs

Supported General Needs

2,098

Retirement

267 129 170 134

Home Ownership

General Needs Retirement

Caerphilly

Ownership Supported Retirement

Figures as at June 2016

263

Supported

Vale of Glamorgan

General Needs

General Needs

Retirement

l Tydfi thyr

32

Ceredigion

Supported

General Needs

Mer

These achievements do not happen by accident as we listen to all of our residents and employees and do the right thing. We look forward to engaging more with our West Wales residents and staff to start making a positive difference to their lives and communities.

Where we operate Where we operate

26

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Q&A

We understand that with change comes anxiety and many questions are being asked.

Here we aim to answer those concerns.

Question: Will I lose my home, or will my tenancy change?

Answer: No. Neither are at risk as a result of the merger.

Question: Will my rent go up?

Answer: No. It will be just as it is now - for all of our residents.

Just as Tai Cantref followed Welsh Government's guidelines relating to social housing rent, so does Wales & West Housing.

Question: Will services and repairs be affected?

Answer: No. You will still ring the same phone numbers and speak to the same people who will be based in the same premises.

We understand that the repairs service is one of the most important for residents and we assure you that the merger will not affect the repairs that are done or how you report them.

In our Have We Listened programme, we have been able to shape the services we deliver to meet our residents' needs, resulting in high resident satisfaction.

Question: What is happening to the MAD Awards?

Answer: We welcome our new residents from West Wales

to take part in the Making a Difference Awards. The closing date for nominations is now the end of November 2016.

The prestigious Awards ceremony will be taking place on 3rd March 2017 at the SSE Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

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Question: What about showing respect for our Welsh heritage and language?

Answer: Nothing will change, please communicate

with us in your preferred language. We are proud of our Welsh heritage and the fact that we invest in Wales, providing work and training opportunities for local people, helping to boost the Welsh economy. You will see on page 16, for example, that we put back ÂŁ50m into the local economy, by employing local suppliers and providing work for local people on a large awardwinning general needs development.

The Newcastle Emlyn office will still be the regional base for our West Wales residents.

With an approved Welsh Language scheme, we have actively supported all of our residents and staff who want to learn Welsh or communicate in their first or second language. We will continue to improve how we deliver services in Welsh - we can learn much from Tai Cantref.

Question: What will happen to Clonc magazine?

Answer: Clonc is a well respected magazine for Tai Cantref residents. We will be bringing features from Clonc to InTouch in future issues and are working closely with our West Wales colleagues to ensure that our magazine will be of interest to all of our residents. We have a feature on Clonc on page 11.

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Question: What will happen to our social media accounts?

Answer: Wales & West Housing has a Twitter account - @WWHA - with 5,668

followers. We welcome our residents and colleagues to follow us. Tai Cantref no longer has a Facebook account as there wasn’t much activity.

Wales & West Housing does not have a Facebook account, preferring instead to focus on individual areas and local demand. For instance, we have a very successful Facebook page for our Community Resource Centre in Hightown: www.facebook.com/ hightowncrc, with more than 600 likes, which is perfect to promote events and activities at the centre and meets the needs of the local community.

Question: Have other mergers worked in Wales?

Answer: Yes, very well. please see pages 9-10 for a feature on successful mergers.

Question: What does our future hold?

Answer: We are more than just a landlord. We have started to work together to build on existing services to deliver what matters to residents, improve their lives and bring benefits to local communities Our plan for the next five years includes investing £250 million to deliver 1,000 new homes. A 50% increase in investment in homes across West Wales will cover both day to day repairs and refurbishment, with services continuing to be regionally focused and driven.

We’ll continue to provide care and support services for our residents, as well as working more widely with local health boards to find the best solutions.

We’ll keep apace with technology and communicate in the way that is best for residents.

We’ll engage more with residents to ensure that services are designed to suit them, with an on-going commitment to the Welsh language.

We’re also keen to support local businesses and will invest in the skills and opportunities of staff.

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Why merge?

We’re by no means the first to merge with another housing association.

Housing associations are facing enormous financial pressures. In the early 1990s they received up to 75% of the total housing development from government. This figure has reduced to just under 40% and is due to decrease over the next decade.

It makes sense to merge as finances are stronger, we have the opportunity to build more affordable homes and together, we have a bigger voice to influence government policy.

We will allow the strengths of both organisations to come together to serve residents and develop much needed homes and services into the future. Alongside growth in the total number of homes, recent years have seen the development of a group structure and our direct service delivery expanding into property maintenance, catering, care and support with this expansion set to continue over the coming five years.

At the core, our greatest strength as a business is our people. Staff are committed and capable, working together to ‘do the right thing’ for our customers and to make a difference to people’s lives homes and communities, day by day and contact by contact.

This strong and positive culture shines through in our recognition in the Sunday Times Best Companies awards, where we are placed first in Wales and second in the UK, having featured in the top ten for the last five years.

Together we are better.

Overleaf are two examples of other Welsh housing associations who have successfully merged.

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Most recently, the Pobl Group was created by the merger of Seren Group and Grŵp Gwalia on April 1 2016, managing a total of 16,000 homes.

The two groups kept their subsidiary brands Gwalia Care and Support, Charter, Solas,Derwen and Tai Gwalia who sit under the Pobl umbrella. Tai Gwalia, Charter and Derwen provide social housing for general needs residents, those over 50 and those who are vulnerable, homeless or in need of support to manage a tenancy.

In April 2014 Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Cymdeithas Tai Eryri merged to form Grŵp Cynefin, the only housing association to operate across all six North Wales counties, plus north Powys.

Between them, the two housing associations had more than 70 years’ experience setting up comfortable homes for people across North Wales.

It’s that expertise that has helped Grŵp Cynefin continue their legacy of playing a central role in supporting communities across the region.

Increased investment

Stronger association

Pooling the finances of both groups has strengthened their position to be able to invest in more new homes and services. Creating a larger group is helping to address the impact of welfare reform on residents and can result in increased investment in services. Merging is helping to increase the company’s credit rating so that they can access cheaper loans.

Grŵp Cynefin has continued the administration of its existing community projects and social enterprises.

Gwalia Care and Support, Charter and Solas are the social care arms of the organisation, providing home care for adults, as well as support for those with mental health issues. Seren had limited experience in delivering adult social care but following the merger the two groups have drawn on each other’s strengths, learning from one another to develop services which meet the needs of local communities.

Annie Jones, a Grŵp Cynefin resident who lives in Llanuwchllyn, Bala, was quoted at the time of the merger as saying: “I think it’s really positive that Grŵp Cynefin has been formed – the merger will make the association stronger for the future and continue the great service we previously received from Tai Clwyd.”

Chief Executive Walis George said: “By merging, we are worth more than the sum of our parts, and working together enables us to reinforce our ability to deliver high quality, fully bilingual services to our tenants and other customers.”

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Clonc

2016/1

North Team 0333 700 1023 South Team 0333 700 1024 www.cantref.co.uk post@cantref.co.uk Out of hours telephone number is 01239 712 000 on weekends and evenings after 5.00pm

Welcome to our first edition of Clonc for 2016 Message from the Chair on behalf of Cantref’s Board of Management: This is a note to let you know that Lynne Sacale, Chief Executive, has left the employment of Cymdeithas Tai Cantref. On behalf of all of us, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Lynne for all her hard work during her time with us and wish her every success in her future endeavours.

Kevin Taylor – Chair

Our priorities for 2016/17 will appear in the next edition of Clonc.

Interim Strategic Director Welcome to Hilary Jones, Chief Executive, Bro Myrddin, who has come to Cantref as part-time Interim Strategic Director.

Director of Housing & Community Services We also announce the departure of Jamie Saunders, Director of Housing & Community Services, who has left us for pastures new but are pleased to announce that Jonathan Morgan has joined us on secondment from Carmarthenshire County Council for 6 months. Welcome Jonathan.

Save The Date!

This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 28th July, 2016, venue to be confirmed.

Keep an eye out for your invitation which will be arriving end of June.

Cantref’s Winning Decoration Thank you very much to Ysgol Beulah, Ysgol Cenarth, Ysgol Coed-y-Bryn, Ysgol y Ddwylan and Ysgol Trewen for taking part in last year’s Christmas Tree Decorations competition.

Numerous entries were received and, whilst it was a difficult decision, the winning decoration was a Snowman made by Cerian Thomas (Year 2) from Ysgol Coed-y-Bryn, who received a £10 voucher to spend at Siop Iago in Newcastle Emlyn and the winning school was Ysgol Trewen who received a £10 voucher from Trefhedyn Garden Centre, Newcastle Emlyn.

CLONC 1__Saesneg_2016.indd 1

08/03/2016 16:03

The history of Clonc Cantref We take a look back at Clonc, the newsletter for Tai Cantref residents and see how it evolved.

To strengthen the link between Cantref and its residents, the very first newsletter, Cantref News, was produced in Spring 1999 to provide information about what was happening within Cantref and throughout housing in Wales generally.

Cantref’s aim was for residents to regard it as ‘their’ newsletter and welcomed suggestions and comments from them for articles and information which could be included. The first edition was produced bilingually and this continued until its very last edition in June 2016.

In 2006/2007, the newsletter was renamed Clonc (Chat) Cantref and remained as a two page newsletter.

The rebranding in 2009 saw Clonc Cantref change into an informative 28-page guide providing useful information, hints, tips and advice, training opportunities, events and successes from across estates and sheltered schemes.

Pictured above: Mr & Mrs Marks of Parc yr Efail, Felindre Farchog, who appeared in the first ever edition of Clonc and are still our residents today

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A resident survey and focus group in 2014 identified that:

90%

were satisfied with the quality, content and layout of the publication

74%

of respondents considered Clonc to be useful

30%

expressed an interest in hints and tips (to reduce fuel poverty in the winter months) gardening tips and recipes which were all included as a result.

The focus group concluded that: “Clonc is an important vehicle to deliver information on services, support and events.

In addition tenants appreciate information in relation to accomplishments on estates to enable tenants to emulate the practices and share improvements on their respective estates.”

Clonc Cantref will now be merged into InTouch and we will continue to listen and provide a publication which is informative to all residents.

"We feel reassured" West Wales resident Chris Badock tells us how she now feels reassured by the merger. She looks forward to meeting staff from Wales & West Housing.

“I was slightly apprehensive as before the merger I hadn’t heard of Wales & West Housing.

"I think I speak on behalf of most residents in saying that we feel better in the knowledge that we are keeping the same staff who recognise and understand our needs.”

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Nominate now

We have moved our Making a Difference Awards; they will now be taking place at the SSE Swalec Stadium, Cardiff, on Friday 3rd March 2017 and you have more time to nominate your heroes as the deadline for nominations has been extended to the end of November.

There are, undoubtedly, many many unsung heroes in all of our communities who are so deserving of such recognition and we need YOU to tell us about them!

It’s easy to nominate - simply speak to your housing officer, or contact our PR & Comms Team on Freephone 0800 052 2526 and they’ll take details for you.

Nominations close at the end of November.

Here's a reminder of the categories: • Steps to Success (New for 2016)

Getting back into employment, education and training can be a big step to take, so this award recognises those committed individuals who have started on their journey to success.

• Good Neighbour

This category celebrates the kindness of those special people whose small day to day actions make a big difference to the lives of their neighbours.

• Fresh Start

Life can be full of ups and downs, so this award recognises those brave people who have made it through tough times and turned things around for the better.

• Rising Star

Especially for those aged 25 under, the Rising Star Award celebrates the achievements of young people who have made a difference to the lives of others, or to their community.

• Going Green (New for 2016)

• Local Hero

This award category recognises green fingered residents who have made a real difference to their environment, whether growing beautiful floral displays, recycling and reusing goods in the garden, or producing fruit and veg for others to enjoy.

• Community Project

Our local heroes strive to make their community a better place or help others less fortunate than themselves.

This category is all about those individuals and groups who have started something special in their community to benefit those who live there.

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AM impressed with Ruabon homes Ken Skates AM, was impressed when he visited Wales & West Housing’s £1.9m award-winning affordable homes development in Ruabon.

Pictured: WWH Chief Executive Anne Hinchey with Ken Skates AM talking to resident James Cope with Veronica Gregory and Kimberly Caruana, WCBC; Craig Sparrow WWH; Steve Lloyd, RL Davies; Claire Jones, Vaughan Williams and Gareth Jarvis, WWH.

Brynfields and Fron Goch, just off the High Street in Ruabon, was awarded the LABC 2016 Best Social/Affordable Housing Building Excellence Award for the county of Wrexham.

Ken Skates met residents who have recently moved in and was given a tour of the scheme's 19 affordable homes.

He said: “I was pleased to meet residents who have recently moved

into this attractive development and hear the positive difference it has made to their lives."

James Cope, 33, is delighted with his new home which has made him more independent. “Thanks to the patience of Wales & West Housing and their developers RL Davies, my very specific needs have been acknowledged and my dream is finally a reality.”

"We love our new home" A couple who waited 18 years to move have praised the dream home where they now live in Mancot, Flintshire, an £800,000 development built by Anwyl Construction.

Sidney Card and Donna Bellis have just moved into the new Ash Lane site in the heart of Mancot village and they couldn’t be happier.

Sidney said: “We were in an old property on the Hawarden estate and we've been looking to move for 18 years because it was

very difficult for us to manage there. We’re really pleased with this and we couldn’t do any better. It’s ideal and we’re delighted.”

His partner, Donna, added: “This really is luxury for me.”

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New homes welcomed

Kirsty Williams AM was impressed with the way in which Wales & West Housing (WWH) have sensitively redeveloped the former Builth Wells Cottage Hospital in North Powys to meet the need for more affordable homes in Brecon & Radnorshire.

She said: “Hospital View is an example of how a housing association can meet the needs of a community. It was a pleasure to hear local people say how much they have benefited.”

Significantly redeveloped in the 20th century by the NHS, Builth Wells Cottage Hospital was decommissioned by the NHS in January 2013.

Working in partnership with Powys County Council and Builth Wells Heritage Society, WWH and Hale Construction paid homage to the former Cottage Hospital, which was

originally built in 1896, by reflecting the Victorian architecture in the new 17 home development.

Ellie White and her partner Connor Morgan moved into a two bedroom home with their daughter Scarlett, 1, after struggling to find social housing in the area.

She said: “I was over the moon when I was asked if I was interested in a new build; I said yes straight away. The house is lovely, the perfect size for us with a lovely garden. We are very settled here.”

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Wrexham winner

Our new £17.9 million development in Hightown and Rivulet Road in Wrexham is in the running for two more major national building awards.

Our popular scheme has already been recognised as Best New Affordable Housing Scheme in this year’s Housing Excellence Awards, and Best Community Initiative in Housebuilder UK’s awards.

It has now been shortlisted for the Best Affordable Housing Scheme of the Year by 24Housing and for Inside Housing’s Top 60 Development Awards.

Anwyl Construction built the 147 new homes including a five-storey block of 20 apartments, and a new community resource centre and medical facility on two sites at Kingsmills Road and Rivulet Road in the town.

We are particularly pleased as 80% of the total workforce lived within 10 miles of Wrexham, and we used local suppliers and contractors, providing a £50m boost to Wrexham’s economy.

The community has also welcomed Hightown Community Resource Centre, which has a Friends group so that residents have a voice

in their centre, which has proved popular with both individuals and families. (Their Facebook page www.facebook.com/hightowncrc has more than 600 likes).

Anne Hinchey, WWH Chief Executive, says: “Wrexham needed more quality affordable housing and our residents have settled in well there. It is also great news for our partners with whom we have developed an excellent relationship.”

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Wrexham County Borough Council Leader, sums it up: “I hope builders and housing associations look at what has been created here and use it as their model to achieve excellent affordable homes that people in Wrexham deserve.”

The award-winners for both awards will be announced in the Autumn.

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Our garden is ‘bloomin’ marvellous!’

Residents at Llys Jasmine extra care scheme in Mold were over the moon when a team of horticultural students designed a garden for their courtyard and Cambria Maintenance Services developed it.

Wales & West Housing contacted Coleg Cambria Northop to ask their students to come up with some new design proposals for the courtyard.

Nicolette Evans, Horticulture Lecturer, said: “This was not an academic exercise but a ‘real world’ project against the discipline of real timescales and budgets.”

Joanne Matheson from Northop, Lesley Haag from Pentre Halkyn and Carol Jones from Llangollen were thrilled to be announced as the winning team. Joanne said: “It is fantastic to see the finished garden in use.”

Resident Chris Davies said: “We are over the moon with our new garden and want to thank the college as well as Wales & West Housing. The raised beds in particular, make it easier for us to manage and enjoy.”

Offa sheep

Three local schools took part in an Offa Sheep Competition to design a sheep as part of Wrexham’s ‘sheep trail.’ Ysgol Clywedog, St Giles' Primary and St Christophers took part and the winning design was by Cerys Owen of Ysgol Clywedog for her sheep named ‘Anwen’.

The sheep is sitting happily in its place in Barracksfield. Twenty ornamental sheep have been placed across Wrexham in total as businesses partnered with the Wrexham Destination Partnership, Wrexham County Borough Council and Oriel Wrecsam to sponsor and design their own sheep model.

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Gardens turned into havens Green-fingered residents have been busy this summer with St Mellons Community Garden volunteers creating a community hub and Cwrt Anghorfa residents bringing an oriental theme to their garden.

At St Mellons, four years ago Blooms Garden Centre had just five volunteers and a vegetable patch. Now, supported by staff from Wales & West Housing, the patch has flourished into a close knit community hub.

Glenys Vandervolk, got very emotional at an event to thank all of the members for making the garden bloom into a haven in the local community.

She said: “Sometimes when Gill and I are sitting here it is so peaceful you wouldn’t believe we were surrounded by houses.”

Jill and Kevin Hobbs-Griffiths said that they love being able to socialise.

Jill said: “The community are so supportive. We get donations from different people, from unused pallets to donations of old pots. We never turn anything away.”

Andrew said: “She was very happy to help and put me in touch with the industries department, who agreed to build it for us. It’s now been delivered and installed in the garden and the residents are absolutely delighted. The quality of the work is superb.

Turning Japanese

“The prison were fantastic throughout, keeping us informed of what was going on, and the whole experience was very positive.”

Meanwhile an ornamental bridge has brought an oriental touch to Cwrt Anghorfa.

Asset Management Officer Andrew Lester drew up plans for a scaled-down Japanese-style bridge and after speaking to several local contractors contacted HMP Parc’s Director Janet Wallsgrove.

Parc instructor Neil Springall built the bridge over the course of several weeks with the help of a prisoner.

He said: “It was quite challenging, with lots of tricky angles in the construction. But we were pleased with the end result.”ch.

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Above: the new Japanese-inspired ornamental bridge at Cwrt Anghorfa

Autumn gardening tips Traditionally, Autumn is the time for a big garden tidy up. This year has been a particularly long growing season and now is the perfect time to bring all that new growth under some control.

• Trim hedges to keep growth under

control and to encourage them to thicken up. Leave any stretches with berries on until later so that birds have something to feed on.

• Start planning ahead for some spring colour by planting bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops.

• As leaves fall from trees, rake them up from lawns. If you don’t, you will be left with big patches where the grass has been smothered and died and will take most of the summer to recover. These fallen leaves are valuable as a source of nutrition for other plants though. Gather them up, put into plastic bin bags,

tie the tops and allow them to rot down to ‘leaf mould’. This can be spread as mulch around plants and shrubs in the spring.

• If you’ve got climbing and rambling roses, this is a good time to prune them and tie in any new stems you’d like to keep. To prevent diseases amongst roses, clear away fallen leaves.

As the weather turns cooler and wetter, your garden will probably be used less. As well as tidying up the plants, don’t forget to clear other sorts of clutter too e.g., deflated footballs, empty paint tins, and broken garden toys.

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Open house at Christchurch Court Christchurch Court in Llandrindod Wells threw its doors open to the public earlier this month – and no, not just to show off their new garden furniture, they wanted to show others the advantages of independent living.

Voluntary and public sector agencies, including the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (pictured), dropped in to see for themselves why residents moved into the retirement scheme and why they stay.

The visitors were able to bask in the summer sunshine with residents in the garden before enjoying a cuppa and a home-made cake in the communal lounge.

Residents also enjoyed their new garden furniture, awarded by Wales & West Housing.

Staff spoke with residents about what they needed at the scheme earlier in the year. Ali Chaplin, Community Development Officer, and Sarah Wilcox, Environmental Assistant, were able to secure almost £600 from a Making a Difference to Your Environment grant to buy three sets of Jack and Jill style companion furniture.

Sarah said: “The garden, albeit is snug, can be a sun trap and an ideal place for residents to meet and chat. Now that they have this furniture, residents who want to are able to enjoy the garden in comfort.”

Quarterly Report| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 21

Quarterly Report:

keeping you in the picture Our quarterly report is designed to keep you updated on how we’re doing as an organisation and what we’re doing to improve our services for you – our residents.

These six infographics give key information on how Wales & West Housing is performing in North and South Wales, as you’ll see over the next few pages.

There’s information provided for each of our main systems. These are: • Fix my home • Help me pay • I want a home • Anti social behaviour • More homes • How we run our business So you can find out everything – from how many homes we’ve built so far this year to how long it takes to fix a repair.

Did you know…?

We want you to find all information regarding our performance and future plans easily.

As a result, we’ve put all our reports in one place on our website for you.

Please take a good look and if you have any comments, let us know by emailing contactus@wwha.co.uk or calling us on 0800 052 2526.

This includes our infographics, annual report, financial statements, Welsh Government financial viability judgement and Welsh Government regulatory report.

To view these reports, visit our website – www.wwha.co.uk – and click on the ‘our performance’ link on the bottom right of the homepage.

Fix my home Performance

7399 Repairs we’ve completed this quarter

Satisfaction

% 66%

What residents want to see improved Repairs completed faster | More appointments kept | More attention to detail in some repairs

undertaken faster and that you wanted more attention to detail in some repairs. This is what we have been focusing on solving in recent months, by looking at how we organise the workload and also how we make sure, where possible, that the same operative keeps hold of the job, seeing it through to completion.

11-15 days

The average days we took to complete a repair

What residents like The quality of work | Polite and friendly operative | That repairs stay fixed

You told us that you wanted repairs to be

6-10 days 16+ days

Feedback from residents

out of 10

is the score residents gave us for the repair service they received

days

Repairs fully complete on our first visit

9.4

0-5 days

Management

Complaints

7

complaints out of

7399 repairs completed

Which is about one complaint for every 1060 repairs completed

During the spring months we have made considerable improvements in these areas and this work has continued into the summer.

The flexibility in the scheduling of the operative’s work and making sure we get the right information from you when you report your repair have really helped us complete work sooner and with little disruption.

At the same time we wanted to make sure that we didn’t lose the improvements we had made in other areas such as making it easier to report repairs and keeping appointments.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

Help me pay Performance

1400

84%

Tenancies not in an arrangement to pay off their arrears

We helped residents to:

Apply for Universal Credit Plan for the Benefit Cap Overturn decisions to end benefit payments

Tenancies paying their rent on time or paying off their arrears

The number of evictions because of rent arrears

Residents paying by Direct Debit

Complaints

3500 3000

Residents

Support

THREE TENANCIES

0

2500 2000 1500 1000

Complaints

500 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Direct Debit is the easiest way to pay, with payments taken from your bank 50 account on a fixed weekly or monthly 40 date that’s most suitable for you, so 30 you don’t have to worry!

out of

1400 tenancies in arrears

20 10 0

Jan

You told us that understanding your circumstances to provide the right assistance at the right time was important to you. Our Housing Officers work closely with residents to understand what matters to them when it comes to maintaining a payment plan.

This may include children starting school; changing work patterns; or illness. Knowing about these potential pressures help us, help you, to plan for expected, and unexpected situations.

The ability to make payments easily, and at a time that suits you, is also important. We are

Feb

Mar

continuing to help people to set up Direct Debits to suit their circumstances, whether it be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, and on a date that suits them. We have found that Direct Debit also helps people maintain their payment plan, with currently 90% of people paying by Direct Debit maintaining their plan.

We also recognise the changes that may have an effect on our residents. We are providing advice and support to many residents that are moving to Universal Credit, in addition to those affected by the changes to the Benefit Cap.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

I want a home Performance General needs

Extra Care

50 40

days

202

Retirement

30 20 10

50 40

Homes we’ve let during quarter 2

30

0

On average it takes 36 days to let a property and support residents to set up a home

65%

of the time, the home is suitable for the first person who views it

20 10 0

Satisfaction

9.3 out of 10

is the score residents gave us about our service when finding them a home

Feedback from residents What residents like The help and support provided | The features of their home | The Location of their home What residents want to see improved Repairs completed faster | Cleaner properties | Given a little more time to move

Complaints

0

complaint out of

202 homes let

You also told us that the type and location of the property was very important to you when moving to a new home. We aim to meet all applicants well before the potential start of the new tenancy to ensure that we both understand what is needed to make your new You told us that clarity regarding which repairs were home perfect for you. This also gives us both a chance to to be done, and when, was important. find out what help, if any, you may need to set up a new home.

We are currently undertaking a pilot project which We have also seen that it is important that you are given will help us improve the way in which we manage enough time to make a decision about the new property. our empty properties. This will allow us to ensure We continue to work closely with our local authority that the right information regarding any repairs partners to make the nomination process as quick and as in the property will be available to you when you smooth as possible to give you, and us, time to make an move in. informed and unrushed decision about a move.

We undertook 198 surveys with new residents in the quarter to help us understand what was important to them when moving into their new home.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

@!

$%&

Anti-social behaviour

$%&

@!

Performance

51

NOISE

65

THREATENING BEHAVIOUR DRUG DEALING

Anti-social behaviour cases we opened or reopened

Satisfaction

8.6 out of 10

is the score residents gave us for the antisocial behaviour support they received

Anti-social behaviour cases we resolved

Most common anti-social behaviour issues

Feedback from residents What residents like Speaking to the right person to discuss their ASB issue | That we take into account personal circumstances | The speedy response What residents want to see improved More action to resolve cases | Providing more updates on the case

You have told us that speaking to the right person is very important to you. The surveys we have conducted in this quarter have told us that residents feel that this is what is happening when they speak to their Housing OďŹƒcer, and we will ensure that this continues.

It is important to us that residents feel that we are providing the right support and advice in addressing problems in their community. You have told us that you are increasingly satisďŹ ed with the advice we provide, but you would

Complaints

1

complaint out of

51

anti-social behaviour cases reported

like to see more updates on ongoing work, and more information on what can be done to resolve cases.

We are undertaking a review of how the service is provided and we are using the comments and feedback received from you to develop and improve the service we provide.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

More homes

Completed

2016

382

2015

2014

Performance

Homes we were building in quarter 2

Satisfaction

8.5 out of 10

is the score residents gave us about their new home

We completed 44 new homes

Feedback from residents What residents like Being so close to the shops | Size of the ats | Modern design What residents want to see improved Kitchen cupboard designs | Problems with TV signals | defects with the communal door

Listening to your feedback we are working with our kitchen designers to create layouts that provide easily accessible cupboards, especially wall units in corners where you told us it was hard to make good use of.

Complaints

0

complaints

Q1

38

new homes completed

Your feedback from the satisfaction surveys are an important part of informing us where we need to pay attention to either the design or to the way in which your homes are built to improve the homes we provide.

We are also working with our door access suppliers to understand what the problems have been and where we can improve the problems associated with communal doors.

TV signals will continue to be monitored to understand where problems exist and what we need to do to improve the situation.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

How we run our business Performance All other calls

Repair calls 4

Minutes

28,445

3

3

2

2

1

1

10am 9am

500 The 400 4 3

Money spent

2 1

£

0

500 500

Apr

May

June

average time it took us to answer your calls

Our busiest call periods

300 200 100 0

Value for money

Complaints

£ spent per home

Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016

12

400 400

300 Q1 2016 300 4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015

Q1 2016

New developments People Maintenance New kitchens, bathrooms & equipment Interest on loans Major repairs Overheads Repayment of loans

200 200

complaints

100 100 0

9am

11am

0

Calls we answered this quarter

10am

11am

Q2Q1 2014 Q3Q2 2014 Q4Q3 2014 Q1Q4 2015 Q2Q1 2015 Q3Q2 2015 Q4 Q3 2015 Q1 Q4 2016

2014

2014

2014

Management

2014

2015

Maintenance

2015

2015

Other

2015

in

total this quarter

How much it costs per home to run our business

Answering calls quickly we know is important to residents and performance has improved in the last quarter for both repairs and general queries.

Maintaining residents’ homes and building more housing continues to dominate how we use our money. These two items account for almost half of all expenditure.

We know that at the busiest periods waiting times are longer, so if possible please call later in the day.

We received much fewer complaints this quarter and aim to respond quickly. If you do have a complaint, please remember you can call, email or speak to any member of staff.

Quarter 2 (April - June 2016)

28 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | WWH News & Info

Residents survive flash flood misery

Inset top: Housing Officer Ann-Marie Rastin, Hannah Blythyn AM, Madaline Easter, Sarah Mielczarek and David Hanson MP Inset bottom: Cambria vans

Pen Lon residents in Bagillt, Flintshire had a nasty shock when torrential downpours of rain led to flash flooding at their scheme and nearby businesses.

The rainfall was so heavy that within 20 minutes many properties were flooded.

Residents acted quickly and moved as much of their furniture and prized possessions as they could upstairs.

Resident Madaline Easter, not only had to worry about her home, but her chip shop as well, which was due to open a few days later. Her husband also owned an electrical shop next door which was hit badly, causing £900 worth of damages.

Madaline said: “It was dreadful. The road just flooded with water – it was up to our knees. I have never seen anything like it.”

Andrew Richards, WWH Commercial Manager, said: “Ten of the 14 properties at Pen Lon were affected by the heavy flooding. We offered alternative accommodation for those who wanted to move out of their properties, but most residents chose to stay.

“As soon as the fire appliances had pumped out the water from our properties, we began a major cleanup operation to assist our residents. A number of Cambria Maintenance and Wales & West Housing staff were on site to provide full support for our residents and we continued to be there for them until their homes were back in order.”

Planned Maintenance| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 29

Planned Maintenance Below are the properties that we have been upgrading from July to October 2016: Bathrooms Dyfed Drive, Queensferry, Deeside Warren Close, Hay on Wye, Powys William Street, Ystrad, RCT Kitchens Monger Road & Collins Court, Wrexham St Mellons, Cardiff, including: • Clos Y Betws • Clos Y Gornant • Clos Yr Onnen • Coleford Drive (and continuing into 2017)

Windows and/or Roofline Cwrt Andrew Buchan, Rhymney Derby Villas, Wrexham Brackla, Bridgend, including: • Pen Onnen, • Rhiw Tremaen • Rhiw Las • Rhiw Cae Mawr

"I have been impressed by Cambria Maintenance Services' professionalism and attitude" Angela Monks has expressed her thanks to Cambria Maintenance Services for leaving her home spick and span following works to her home.

She said: “I recently moved into The Beeches on Quarella Road in Bridgend.

I have had quite a lot of Cambria tradesmen working on my home and have been impressed by their professionalism and attitude.

"Nothing was too much trouble, they were patient, obliging and good at the particular task that they came to do.

The work was done to a high standard

and they even cleaned up after themselves!

"Speaking as a disabled person, I am very appreciative of all the help that has been given.”

30 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Making a Difference to Your Community

Business balloons for party partners Hill Court residents Emma Stant, 37 and Leanne Chitty, 33, teamed up recently as party planners, organising events for the local Wrexham community that range from children’s parties to large weddings.

“It was always something I wanted to do,” says Emma. “I was left a bit of money so decided to give my dream a try, and my neighbour Leanne happily agreed to be a business partner.”

Known as E5 events and Dresses, Emma and Leanne provide equipment, candy carts, backdrops, balloons, DJs – you name it – they will do it - and even dress up as characters. They also provide a range of dresses.

“I love dressing up as a Minion,” says Leanne. “What I love about the work is that we’re given a blank, empty room and we turn it into something really creative and special. It is very rewarding.”

How do they fit in time?

Both mothers work - Emma as a Resource Centre Assistant at Hightown Community Resource Centre and Leanne for a solicitor. “We do it because we enjoy having a business where we can work from home and be flexible,” said Leanne.

Alun Harries, Wales & West Housing’s Employment & Enterprise Coach, gave useful advice on how to set up a business plan. “We’re always happy to support residents who want help to get into work or training.”

Emma says: “If anyone is thinking about following their dream, I say go for it!

Just give it time and be prepared to work hard.”

For more information on E5 Events and Dresses, visit www.facebook.com/ e5eventsanddresses or @e5eventsanddresses

Making a Difference to Your Community | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 31

“We loved our Big Day Out!�

Residents from West Wales enjoyed their annual Big Day Out event on 28 July at Plascrug Leisure Centre, Aberystwyth.

The free event, organised in partnership with Tai Ceredigion, was a great success with over 200 residents from Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire enjoying the fun day out.

Over 40 stall holders and exhibitors also came to provide information on services available across the three counties, including careers, health and changes to benefits and the environment, while the children

enjoyed the activities, which included outdoor play sessions, arts and crafts, balloon modelling, making bird boxes and much, much more!

Residents were treated to a lunch and raffle prize draw. The event ended with a Mascot race between Cantref, Tai Ceredigion and the Illegal Money Lending Unit. Tai Ceredigion proudly came first!

32 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Making a Difference to Your Community

WWH residents scoop

2016 TPAS Awards WWH residents celebrated their success at the TPAS Participation Awards ceremony held in Llandudno in July.

L-R: Tim Butler, Dave Brigham, Kath Page and Sandy Thomas. Inset: Paul Clark

From honouring the memory of a green-fingered gardener to recognising the positive contribution the younger generation make to their communities, the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Cymru Participation Awards were successful for our residents.

Paul Clark was instrumental in helping dig the foundations for the Oak Court Garden and Social Club at the retirement scheme in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.

But the 60-year-old passed away last year without seeing his dream garden

scoop the Environmental Project Award this summer.

His fellow gardeners Tim Butler, Dave Brigham, Kath Page and Sandy Thomas recognised Paul’s contribution to making the garden flourish when they won first place at the awards held in Llandudno.

Sandy said: “One of Paul’s dreams was this garden. We make sure his memory is kept alive by keeping going and seeing the other residents enjoying it.”

Making a Difference to Your Community | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 33

17-year-old Bethany Thompson with Heulwen Young, Supported Housing Officer (Foyer)

Teenager Bethany Thompson was our youngster winner, scooping the Young Tenant of the Year award. The 17-yearold received support at our West Wales Foyer supported accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds.

Keen gardener and up-cycler, Jeff’s work to help create a close-knit community at Western Court retirement scheme in Bridgend, was recognised when he secured third place in the Tenant of the Year category.

The youngest of eight children, Bethany was caring for her mother in a rural community without adequate bus links before moving into the Foyer. Her college attendance was failing due to a daily five mile walk, but with support from the Foyer she has passed her Level 2 in Childcare, as well as providing care for her mother who has multiple sclerosis.

Former coach driver Jeff drove forward the regeneration of the communal garden at Western Court more than four years ago with help from carpenter friend Derek Rose.

With funds from our Making a Difference to Your Environment grant they created a haven for residents, built mostly from recycled pallets.

Beth also finds time to be a peer mentor for a local youth group, volunteers at Hafan Y Waun, a specialist dementia care facility, as well as studying for a Health and Social Care qualification.

Last, but not least, Jeff Bunce is another of our residents who was recognised for Making a Difference to a community at the prestigious awards ceremony.

L-R: Natasha Jones, Engagement Manager at Monmouthshire Housing, with Jeff Bunce

34 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Making a Difference to Your Community

Bridgend resident awarded

British Empire Medal Community stalwart Lena Charles has received a British Empire Medal in this year's Queen's New Year’s Honours List for her life-long services to volunteering.

Left - right: Lena Charles with former WWH scheme manager Yvonne Humphreys

Mrs Charles from Danymynydd in Blaengarw, was honoured for her services to the community which span more than four decades. The Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Kate Thomas CVO, visited the Bridgend retirement scheme to present the 96-year-old with her medal.

The mother-of-four has been active in the community for several generations, actively working with the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, Christian Aid, the NSPCC and Cymanfa Ganu for more than 40 years.

Her work to support the younger generation has spanned the globe from setting up a knitting circle to provide blankets for children in Belarus, to providing entertainment for children from Chernobyl on annual holidays. In recent years she and her neighbours scooped an award for an intergenerational digital inclusion project 'Growing Together' with community group Valley and Vale Community Arts. She still organises tea dances and conducts Sunday services in the local chapel.

Mrs Charles said she was overwhelmed by the award.

Health and Safety | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 35

Covers? Sock-et to them!

Parents may worry about their children putting their fingers into electrical sockets. It is tempting to buy a 13A plastic socket cover to stop this but please don’t - this can make it more dangerous!

flexible extensions) have an interlocking shutter mechanism to stop anything being inserted into them. You don’t need to buy covers.

Socket covers are not made for any health and safety standard. Electrical sockets in your home that are manufactured to BS1363 (13A wall socket-outlets, multi- way adaptors and

Well-being website

A new website service has been launched to help people find the information and advice they need to improve their well-being and access local support services in Wales.

Dewis is now in several parts of Wales including North Wales, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil. Other counties are going to have Dewis in their area in the near future.

The website provides advice and information on well-being events based on postcode location and needs.

https://www.dewis.wales

36 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Money Matters

How non-dependants

can help you

Did you know that your housing benefit may be reduced if you have an adult living in your home, other than your partner?

Here is some useful advice on how you can deal with this.

Many families have an adult living with them who for housing benefit purposes is known as a ‘non-dependant’. A ‘nondependant’ could be a grown-up son, daughter, friend or elderly relative and their income can impact on the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction you are eligible for.

The rate of the deduction depends on whether the nondependant claims benefits (and which particular benefits), whether they work over 16 hours a week and, if so, their gross income.

Non-dependants do not include lodgers, professional carers or visitors who live somewhere else.

It’s not always easy for parents to ask their children for a contribution as they have always provided

for them and asking them to either start or increase contributions towards household costs can impact on their ability to save and is often met with a negative reception. Asking the nondependant to leave the household could also result in a family becoming classed as under-occupied. If your home is classed as under-occupied you may then be affected by the Bedroom Tax which may not improve your situation.

So what can you do?

If you are a claimant of working age and you have a non-dependant living with you who is under 25, unemployed, fit and able to work, then please encourage them to sign on to Job Seekers’ Allowance or Universal Credit.

This is important because in this instance your housing benefit would be reduced by £14.65 each week. This would stop if they claimed Job Seekers’ Allowance or Universal Credit.

Also, If you or your partner are blind or claiming the Disability Living Allowance care component, the Daily Living

Money Matters| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 37 component of Personal Independence Payments or Attendance Allowance then non-dependant deductions do not apply.

Non-dependant deduction rules work differently under Universal Credit where regardless of the non-dependant’s income, the housing cost contribution taken from your Universal Credit award is a flat rate of £69.37 a month per non-dependant. This could mean that someone may have eligibility for help with their housing costs under Universal Credit and not under Housing Benefit.

Below is a useful table to show you how much the non-dependant should be contributing towards their rent according to their income.

This is how much housing benefit is reduced by depending on the nondependant’s gross income if they are working. Informal contribution arrangements or making a contribution towards the gas or electricity doesn’t go far enough and if the non-dependant was living in private accommodation, they would be paying a lot more each week.

Weekly income before tax

Amount deducted

Weekly income before tax

Amount deducted

Less than £133

£14.65

From £253 to £337.99

£75.60

From £133 to £194.99

£33.65

From £338 to £419.99

£86.10

From £195 to £252.99

£46.20

From £420

£94.50

Visit shelter.org.uk for more information It’s time to get Gaz & Leccy under control Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters which will replace traditional meters in our homes.

Every home in Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier, at no extra cost, between now and 2020.

Your supplier will be in touch when they are ready to install yours.*.

Smart meters will put an end to estimated bills. The new meters will show you how much you’re spending, making it much easier to figure out what costs what in

your home.

With smart meters you’ll be able to top up your credit over your smartphone or online, as well as at the local shop.For more information on the work of Smart Energy GB in Wales, please contact Fflur Lawton, fflur. lawton@smartenergygb.org. *certain exemptions apply.

38 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Charity Update

Fun Run raises money for heart disease More than 120 people took part in a fun run in Newcastle Emlyn, helping to raise money in aid of a heart disease charity.

Organised by our West Wales staff, £510 was raised for Calon+, a charity which provides training for nurses to undertake rehabilitation sessions with patients who have been affected by heart disease.

The race began at Cwrt y Llan, with the route going around the castle and the town. There were three races in total – a 5K run, a mile run for children and a half mile run for the smaller children.

The Best Fancy Dress Competition for children was won by Ffion Hall; the Best Adult Fancy Dress was awarded

to Jenny Caulkett; the 5K winner was Thomas Willoughby with his brother Dan winning the one mile race. The half mile race was won by Thomas Humphreys. The perpetual shield for the winning team event was awarded to Sarn Helen Running Club.

Pictured above is Rhodri Jones, Director of Finance, presenting the cheque to Grug Jones-Fussell, Cardio Rehabilitation Nurse, who stated: “We appreciate your support and effort to help us with our service.”

Charity Update | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 39

Residents raise funds to help paralysed teenager Ty Gwynne Jones residents in Abergele organised a successful afternoon tea to raise £245 funds for a local teenager who was left paralysed from the head down after suffering a spinal stroke.

Competitive swimmer Luke Davies, 14, collapsed in the New Year after complaining about severe neck pain.

He has been on a hospital ventilator to help with his breathing. His parents need money for modifications to their home.

Betty Roberts, Scheme Manager, said: “Luke swims with my grandson for the Rhyl Dolphins, who are also fundraising for him.

Luke is a lovely happy boy and everyone is trying to keep his and his family’s spirits up.”

A bright day for stroke survivors Residents brightened the lives of stroke survivors by holding their own ‘Bring Me Sunshine Party’ at Nant y Mor, Prestatyn, raising £255 for the Stroke Association.

Fifty residents attended the party where they enjoyed celebrating Sunshine wearing summer hats, garlands, sunglasses and enjoying a summer time buffet of finger sandwiches and strawberry cream teas.

Information was provided by the Stroke Association for the residents on all aspects of strokes, prevention and support available to families.

Pictured right is Emma Kay, Regional Fundraiser (North Wales) from the Stroke Association being presented with a cheque from residents Lily Whitley, Jean Carretero and Mary Forbes.

Lily said: “The Stroke Association is a charity that’s close to everyone’s hearts.

Nant y Mor residents use the support available from these charities and we like to contribute to them as well as having fun along the way.”

40 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch |ICT Scam messages

Be on your guard against scammers Everyday we hear of someone who has lost money because they were taken in by a very convincing scammer.

The traditional rogue trader still exists, along with sneak thieves who, working in pairs, distract someone at the front door while gaining entry into their home at the back.

The internet is, though, perhaps the scariest. If you receive an email claiming to be from your bank or from a social networking site, they usually include a link to a fake website that looks identical to the real one. When you log in, it sends your username and password to someone who will use it to access your real accounts. They might steal your money or your identity.

A recent example of this is from British Gas – it looked as though their customers were receiving an email that seemed to be a harmless utility bill. The emails took people to a website where they were told to download a file to view their bill. After downloading the file, the virus locked people out of their computer, directing them to an online payment page.

British Gas say their emails are always personalised and often quote the British Gas account number, only taking you to the britishgas.co.uk website.

Here are some useful tips to help avoid becoming a victim to a scam: • Protect your computer with a firewall,

spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and update them all regularly.

• Check your online accounts and bank statements regularly to ensure that no unauthorised transactions have been made.

• Never give personal details, in particular banking information, to anyone you don’t know.

• Your bank will never send you an email

asking for your personal information or your username and password.

• If you ever receive a phone call asking you to withdraw money from you bank account, put the phone down immediately.

• Report any suspected scammer to action fraud on 0300 123 2040.

• If you do unfortunately fall victim to a scam, ring the police.

Your News & Views| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 41

Festival project leads to more funding

The Friends of Hightown Community Resource Centre celebrated the 10th birthday of the Gwanwyn Wales-wide arts festival for the over-50s by holding creative knitting and crocheting workshops.

The grant-funded workshops proved so popular that two ladies, Debbie Dickin and Michelle Meredith-Roberts from Principality, visited the workshops and offered £200 towards more sessions.

Age Cymru set up the Gwanwyn arts festival in 2006 to give the over-50s a chance to get involved in the creative arts.

Paula Hack, Chair of the Friends of Hightown Community Resource Centre said: “This is the third and most successful year of our Gwanwyn festival celebrations. We understand what our local community wants - to attend free workshops so they can meet other people and share and learn skills in crotchet and knitting to produce innovative pieces of artwork which will be displayed outside the centre.

“Debbie and Michelle from Principality came along and loved the workshop so

much that they generously offered to help fund 15 more workshops.”

Debbie Dickin said: “We felt that the workshop not only helped people learn new skills or enhanced their skills, but also offered a nice social atmosphere for people to come together and share tips and make new friends. The Principality Building Society is very much involved in local communities and helping to fund such a worthy workshop gives us a sense of wellbeing.”

Resident Nerys Hughes said: “I’ve been coming here since I saw it advertised on Facebook. I feel more confident as a result and am now wanting to make a blanket.”

Libby Price, Centre Manager, said: “It’s great to see everyone interacting with each other. With this new funding, we can look to make the sessions more intergenerational.”

42 | www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Your News & Views

Never judge a book by its cover When diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than a decade ago, Neil Davies was determined he would not allow the disease to take control of him.

The 57-year-old magician from Limebourne Court, Whitchurch, was told that he had the disease which affects one in 500 people in the UK, at just 44-years-old.

“I started to notice that I had become quite heavy footed,” said the grandfather-of-two. “I’d stagger when walking and my speech was becoming distorted to the extent that people thought I was drunk.

“But it wasn’t alcohol, it was Cyril, my Parkinson’s. I couldn’t believe them when they diagnosed me with a disease which I associated with the elderly.”

Dealing with a degenerative illness can take the person on an emotional and physical rollercoaster, but the former stand-up comic has credited good humour and creativity as the key to stopping Cyril from taking control!

He said: “I love stand-up comedy but with my speech deteriorating I turned to poetry, writing my first poem as a laugh. But once I’d shown it to someone I was asked to write another one.

“Now people challenge me by giving me random words to incorporate them into a poem.”

Care Support Worker, Chris Canning, said reading Neil’s poetry provides a positive insight into his condition, thoughts and feelings.

He said: “Without being intrusive and asking too many questions, Neil’s poetry has helped me understand Neil and his condition much better. They might be humorous but by reading them I know what’s troubling him, what he’s struggling with at that time and how he is feeling generally.”

The magician, who can still turn a card, has used his poems or limericks to help his grandchildren understand his condition better. He hopes that putting pen to paper is the key to helping educate society about Parkinson’s.

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Young poet rewarded by WWH A young wordsmith has scooped a prize for taking Cardiff Library staff on a literary journey.

Wales & West Housing (WWH) donated £50 in High Street vouchers to the Cardiff East Libraries Poetry competition, which saw more than 350 children writing poems with a journey theme.

Marshfield Primary School pupil Jacob Slater (pictured) was stunned when WWH Community Development Project Officer Herman Valentin and Neighbourhood Development Librarian Katherine Whittington surprised him with his winning voucher during a school concert rehearsal.

Herman said WWH were delighted to have supported the competition by donating the prizes for the three winners and runners-up.

He said: “We work very closely with the libraries in Cardiff East. They are a valuable resource for so many young people in our communities.

The standard of entries was superb.

You wouldn’t believe the winners were as young as they are.”

Other winners included Aymen Cherif, Jayvin Chahel and Chloe Evans from Bishop Child’s CiW Primary School and Alexis and Hala Ben-Ali from Willowbrook Primary School.

Norbury Court Residents VEST bus fundraiser makes £200

Left to right, Martin Healey VEST treasurer, Audrey Meek, Irene Davies, Heddwen Johnson, Barbara Johnston, Bernard O’Keeffe and Val Williams.

Western Court residents joined with Norbury Court for a fundraising coffee morning; they held a raffle and 'guess the weight of the cake'.

They also had a bric-abrac table and along with donations from friends made £200 in support of the VEST bus service, following their office break in, as the residents rely so much on the service they provide. As it was a lovely sunny day they also held a fun croquet match on the lawn, won by Michael Hook of Western Court.

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Macmillan Coffee morning at Hanover Court, Barry Residents at Hanover Court in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, recently held a coffee morning to raise much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Resident Tina Yarr (pictured left), moved into the retirement scheme in 2015.

Tina, who loves baking, spent two whole days baking and decorating every one of the cakes on display.

Farewell to Rita Following 22 years of dedicated work the time has come to bid Rita Llwyd, Independent Living Officer at our scheme in Aberystwyth, a fond farewell.

During Rita’s time at Gerddi’r Ffynnon she ensured that the residents lived in a safe and happy environment and all had every opportunity to live their life to full potential.

As a token of their appreciation, the residents nominated Rita to be presented with an award by S4C programme, Prynhawn Da. This award is given to people who have done valuable work within their community. Rita ensured that those who were in receipt of support within the community and who

Rita Llwyd, Independent Living Officer

were lonely and isolated were involved in various activities within Gerddi’r Ffynnon. As well as this, Rita took an active part in organising various events to raise money towards worthy charities.

During Rita’s retirement party at Gerddi’r Ffynnon she had a surprise visit from S4C and was awarded a plate and bunch of flowers for being “Halen y Ddaear” (Salt of the Earth).

We would like to wish Rita good health and a happy retirement and our very best wishes in her new home.

Your News & Views | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 45

Your recipes As the days begin to shorten, mornings are misty and evenings are chilly, thoughts turn to warming soups, stews and hotpots. It’s good to prepare meals in advance so that you are ready to eat with minimum fuss after work, school or play.

Here is an easy recipe that fits the bill perfectly. Healthy, filling, tasty and made using very affordable ingredients.

Vegetable & Lentil Cottage Pie Ingredients 2 leeks 2 carrots 1 onion 2-3 sticks of celery 200g red split lentils 200g frozen peas (or sweetcorn) 4 tbsps tomato puree 60g parmesan cheese (or strong cheddar) 2 large sweet potatoes 1 vegetable stock cube Splash of olive oil Salt and pepper

Method Preheat the oven to 180°/350°f/gas 4. Trim and finely slice the leeks before putting them in a colander to rinse under the cold tap. Dice the carrot, onion and celery.

Heat some of the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat then add the vegetables and stir to coat in oil. Pop on the lid and cook for 5-10 minutes stirring once or twice. The veg should be soft. Add in the lentils, peas and stock cube together with about 500ml of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1015 minutes until the lentils are soft and cooked through.

Add salt and pepper (if required) and stir through the tomato puree. Transfer this mixture to an ovenproof dish.

Scrub the sweet potatoes then grate them coarsely into a bowl. Toss with a little more olive oil and the grated cheese. Sprinkle the grated potato and cheese mixture onto the lentil mixture and bake the dish for 15-20 minutes.

Do you have a recipe that you’d like to share with us? Simply email contactus@wwha.co.uk or telephone 0800 052 2526.

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Celebrating 104 years She’s brushed with two Royals, been blessed by the Pope and travelled the world over and now inspirational Vera Vaughan has celebrated her 104th birthday.

Renowned for throwing a good party, Christchurch Court invited friends and family of the Llandrindod-born resident who has spent more than quarter of her life at the Llandrindod Wells retirement scheme, to celebrate Vera's 104th birthday with her.

Former draper Vera was in her seventies when she moved into Christchurch Court and has played an active part in both the retirement community and Llandrindod Wells itself. She regularly meets with her neighbours in the communal lounge to share her stories from her

time in the Queen Alexandra Corps, including the time she was blessed by Pope Pius XII, how she met the Queen Mother at a Buckingham Palace garden party and when she presented Princess Margaret with a purse.

Thanking her friends and family for coming, Vera said: “It’s lovely to see so many of my Christchurch Court neighbours and so many friends come and help me celebrate. We are really going to enjoy the music and each other’s company.”

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Happy 100 birthday Gladys! th

Pictured is Mrs Gladys Davies, who celebrated her 100th birthday on April 3rd.

Born in Tylacoch in the Rhondda valley in 1916, Mrs Davies is mother to Cliff, Phyllis and Julie.

Mrs Davies has lived at Llys Glanrhondda retirement scheme in Pentre, Rhondda, since April 1993.

We hope you had a fabulous birthday celebration, Gladys!

Residents' success at Rio And finally, huge congratulations to our residents, Robert Davies, from Cradoc Close in Brecon, and Jordan Howe, from St Mellons in Cardiff, on their success at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. 32-year-old Rob, who is ranked number one in the world, won a gold medal in the Class 1 wheelchair table tennis final, while 20-year-old Jordan was a finalist in the T35 Men's 200m.

Robert Davies, resident

#MADAwards

Who’s your hero?

Nominate them now! (closing date - end of November 2016)

Good Neighbour Rising Star Going Green Fresh Start Local Hero Steps to Success Community Project (new this year) To nominate contact your Housing Officer or call PR and Communications on 0800 052 2526