In touch summer 2014

intouch ISSUE 79 | SUMMER 2014 | FREE

The magazine for residents of Wales & West Housing

In this issue...

Could you save money on your food bills?

Changes to our rent setting policy Resident Satisfaction Survey– the results Happy Birthday Nant y Mor!

2014

Who’s Your Hero?

Do you know someone who makes a real difference to your neighbourhood?

Someone who goes the extra mile to help friends and neighbours? Perhaps they have started a youth or community group? Maybe they tend a beautiful garden, or perhaps they grow fruit and veg, or have overcome big problems to get back into work?

For further details and a Whatever their story, we want to hear it! copy of the nomination form On Friday October 10th Wales & West either go to our website Housing will be holding our 7th annual www.wwha.co.uk or call Keri Making a Difference Awards. or Sharon on 0800 052 2526 any time and we’ll be happy The categories this year are: to send you a form.

• • • • • •

Good Neighbour Fresh Start Eco Champion Community Project Green Fingers Local Hero

It’s free to enter - you’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain!

The closing date for nominations is Friday 12th September 2014.

WWH News & Info | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 3

Editor’s Hi Everyone,

Letter

Welcome to the summer copy of In Touch - the magazine for WWH residents, packed with all our latest news and useful information.

The glorious summer sunshine has seen many of you busy in the garden (P32-34) – we’ve loved hearing your stories! A big well done to the residents of Buxton Court, who recently won a TPAS Award for their thriving community garden, as well as our residents of Oak Court, who’ve been named as finalists for the Sustainable Housing Awards with theirs.

We’ve got some important information for you about changes to our rent settings policy this edition - you’ll find a leaflet with all the details enclosed - and we’ve also updated our lettings policy (P5). We welcome your feedback on both of these, so if you have any comments then please do let us know.

Elsewhere, Love Food Hate Waste give some top tips for saving money in the kitchen by avoiding food waste (P20), whilst on P26-29 you’ll find details on Communities First teams and events in your area – they provide lots of assistance and activities to help you and your community, so why not take a look?

Until next time, happy reading and stay In Touch.

Contact Us

Contents WWH News & Info Development Update Planned Maintenance Resident Satisfaction Survey Results 2014 Money Matters Quarterly Report Healthy Living Work. Skills. Experience Going Green Make It Happen A Day in the Life News & Views Birthdays & Anniversaries

4 10 12 14 18 22 24 26 32 35 36 37 42

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

Follow us on twitter @wwha

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.

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

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

Tenant Satisfaction Survey The Welsh Government and Community Housing Cymru (CHC) are working with Strategic Marketing, an independent research company, to carry out a satisfaction survey with a selection of tenants and residents in the social housing sector in Wales.

You may get a survey through your door in the coming weeks if you have been randomly selected to take part in this survey. We have been informed that surveys will be posted out from the 18th of August.

Changing our

rent setting policy The Welsh Government has changed the system of regulating social housing rents that apply to housing associations.

These changes have an impact on you, our residents, and so we have enclosed a booklet of information about this with this copy of In Touch.

The enclosed booklet explains our plans, why we are making the proposed changes and outlines how the changes are likely to affect you.

If you have any comments, there are a range of ways that you can contact us.

There is a response form with the booklet

and a pre-paid envelope for you to write to us. You can also phone, text, email or use our website to give feedback – all the details are in the booklet for you.

Please let us have any comments by Friday 30th September 2014.

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Changes to our Lettings Policy What’s happening?

WWH is proposing to change its lettings policy to use the same set of rules to assess if people can join its waiting list as those used by local authorities- this is commonly referred to as the 3 Stage Test. We also plan to make other minor changes to provide clearer information to applicants.

What is changing?

• In assessing if someone can join our waiting list, we will be using the Welsh Assembly’s code of guidance 3 Stage Test.

• We’re changing our policy to make it clear to applicants who owe current or previous landlords what they have to do before we’ll consider offering them a home.

• Where there’s no one on our waiting lists, we will advertise our properties as immediately available on our own and other websites.

• We will continue to let properties on a date order basis, but in some cases circumstances will dictate that some offers will not be right for people.

In these circumstances, the Head of Housing will authorise the withdrawal of an offer.

The 3 Stage Test headings are as follows: 1. Where there is evidence of unacceptable behaviour.

2. Was the behaviour serious enough to render the applicant or a household member unsuitable to be a tenant?

3. Is the behaviour unacceptable at the time of application?

Feedback A full copy of the proposed lettings policy - ‘changing our approach to lettings’ - can be found under the title bar of ‘Finding a Home’ on our website: www.wwha.co.uk You can make any comments on the proposed changes by: • Telephone – 0800 052 2526 • Email:- housingoptionsteam@wwha. co.uk • Writing to – Wales & West Housing, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, CF24 2UD Please send us any feedback by Friday 30th September 2014.

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

Residents bury a time capsule

in birthday celebrations Residents and staff at Nant y Môr extra care housing scheme celebrated the scheme’s third anniversary on Thursday 19th June.

It was the first extra care housing scheme to be developed by WWH in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and provides state-of-the-art facilities for the over 60s.

The birthday celebrations involved pupils from Ysgol Bodnant singing Happy Birthday to the residents, poetry, jazz, salsa and a time capsule being buried at the front of the scheme.

told us they want to live independently, with support on hand if they want it.

“That’s why we have gone down the extra care housing route and Nant y Môr was one of the very first facilities of its kind to be developed in Denbighshire, in partnership with the housing association.

This was a great opportunity for people thinking about extra care housing to come and see the facilities for themselves. They weren’t disappointed.”

Members of the community and local firms Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Brantano also attended to show their support for the residents.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Social Care, Adult and Children’s Services, said: “The county has one of the highest rates of older people in the whole of Wales and older people have

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, said: “I really enjoyed celebrating the third anniversary of Nant y Môr with the residents. The fantastic facilities and excellent support service have made a real difference to residents’ lives and it’s lovely to see the residents enjoying living at the scheme. “

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Anne’s shortlisted

again for the Most People Focused CEO Award Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, has been named one of the top ten ‘Most People Focused CEOs in the Public and Voluntary Sector’ in the Best Companies HR Excellence Awards 2014.

It is the fourth year running that Anne has been shortlisted for the award, and follows her winning the award outright last year. She is also the only Chief Executive of a Wales-based not-for-profit organisation to make the 2014 shortlist.

“It is incredible that I have been shortlisted for this award again and I am very humbled by it. I very much regard this not as a personal achievement, but rather a reflection of the wonderful team that I have working with me at Wales & West Housing.”

We’ve been shortlisted for the Sustainable Housing Awards!

WWH has been shortlisted for two prestigious Sustainable Housing Awards 2014.

Our innovative Mill View retrofit project with Thermal Earth in Howey, Powys where we installed air source heat pumps at 26 homes - has been shortlisted for the Sustainable Larger Housing Retrofit Project of the Year category.

Whilst residents Paul Clark, Sandra Thomas and David John Brigham from Oak Court retirement scheme in Penarth are finalists in the Sustainable Tenants of the Year category - which is open to public vote - for their impressive work in developing the scheme’s garden (see P38).

The awards ceremony will be held on the 17th October at the Lancaster Hotel in London, and will be hosted by one of the world’s greatest living explorers, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, said: “We are delighted that both our Mill View retrofit project and the team from Oak Court have been shortlisted for these awards. We are very proud of them all and I wish them the best of luck on the big night.”

AM Carl Sargeant with the WWH, Cambria and Thermal Earth team in Mill View, Powys

You can vote online for Paul, Sandra and David by visiting www.insidehousing.co.uk

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

Emergency Alarm

Annual Report 2013 Welcome!

Here are some facts so you can see how we performed in 2013, including the number of calls we answered, how quickly we answered them and how well we dealt with them.

Volume of calls • In 2013 we answered 111,210 calls - an average of 305 calls answered each day.

• 1,671 of these calls were emergencies, where we sent out the emergency services or some other form of help.

• We made 46,623 calls to check you were okay.

• We continued to increase our number of customers in 2013 to 5,480 homes.

Quality of service As always, we surveyed a selection of customers who use our Emergency Alarm (EA) service during 2013. You told us: • Our operators are courteous, professional and helpful (100% of the time) and that you are satisfied with the service in general and the service from the EA control room (100% of the time). 97.6% of you also told us that you consider the EA service to be value for money.

90.5% of service users are happy with the speed of response of our operators.

Thank you for completing our surveys and for your comments. Every comment we receive is passed to the appropriate operator.

Speed of answer The performance standard set by the Telecare Services Association (TSA), the organisation which audits our service, is that we should answer 98.5% of life threatening calls in 60 seconds.

• We answered 99.3% of all calls within 60 seconds.

The TSA standard for the percentage of life threatening calls to be answered within 3 minutes is 99%.

• We answered 100% of all calls within 3 minutes.

In both of these measures, we performed better than the standards set by the TSA.

WWH News & Info | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 9 Here are some examples of comments we have received: “The young man was very, very helpful and really helped me to calm down. Please would you pass on my heartfelt thanks to him?”

“I am completely satisfied with the treatment my mother receives from the call service. Thank you all for your help.”

During 2013 we received no official complaints; however, we did receive 19 comments from customers that required investigation.

In each case, our EA Supervisor was able to investigate and provide a satisfactory response to the customer. None of these complaints related to major incidents.

Looking back at 2013 • We hosted a summer event for WWH staff to help raise awareness of different types of alarms and their uses and how they can be of help to residents.

• We began work on our new contract for both “out of hours” repairs and Emergency Alarm monitoring for the residents of Tai Calon Community Housing, the largest social housing landlord in Blaenau Gwent with more than 6,100 homes.

• At the end of November, Jackie Edwards, who’d managed the Customer Service Centre for many years, retired. Jackie had worked for WWH for 31 years and will be greatly missed by her many friends within the Association.

• Christine Bowns began managing the Customer Service Centre following Jackie’s retirement. Christine has many years of experience in Customer Services, both in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

• During December 2013, the computer system we use to help us handle Emergency alarm calls was updated to the very latest version, giving us scope to improve services in the future.

Christine Bowns

Looking forward to 2014 • We will continue to review the latest technology available to see how this can be offered to customers to help support their independent living.

• We are aiming to review and revamp our questionnaires to ensure we are capturing as much information as possible to help us continue to improve the service we provide.

• We will continue to work to grow our business, by tendering for new opportunities and installing equipment at the homes of non-residents.

• We will meet regularly with customers to ensure we receive feedback that can help us to continually improve our service.

If you have any queries or comments about this report, please contact Jayne Orchard on freephone 0800 052 2526

10| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Development Update

Willow Court residents say

new homes are ‘life changing’ We recently developed a derelict warehouse area behind our existing Willow Court retirement scheme in Roath, Cardiff, into 10 brand new flats for the over 50s – providing more affordable housing in this popular area of the city.

Work started at the site during the summer months of 2013 and reached completion in June this year. The 5 ground floor flats, which are mobility adapted, have been allocated via Cardiff Accessible Homes, whilst the 5 first floor flats have been assigned by WWH and Cardiff Council.

Angelo and Diane Stephanakis moved into their new two bedroom flat at Willow Court in June. The couple had previously lived in another WWH property in the Roath area for over twenty years.

Speaking about their new home, Mr Stephanakis said: “Our old house was a big family home with a large garden, so it was difficult to maintain. Now that the kids have grown up and moved out, it made sense for us to downsize. Moving here has been like winning the lottery it’s so homely and warm, plus we have great neighbours and it’s really quiet. We absolutely love our new home - it’s been a long time coming. I’m still pinching myself!”

Mrs Stephanakis said: “I’ve always lived in Roath and our family and work are nearby, so it was important to us that we stayed in the area. When we viewed the flat we fell in love with it and we wanted to move in straight away! It feels like it was built just for us, it’s been life changing. Moving here really has given us a new lease of life.”

Another resident who has moved into a ground-floor adapted property at the scheme described her flat as her “dream home”, allowing her to become more independent and improving her quality of life as a result. She also thanked the WWH team around her, saying how staff had been hugely supportive, caring and helpful, with “nothing ever being too much trouble for them.”

We hope our new residents at Willow Court continue to enjoy their new homes, and wish them all the best into the future.

New homes at Willow Court, Cardiff

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Affordable new homes for local people in Cowbridge We’ve recently been working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver affordable new homes for local people in Cowbridge. WWH was selected by the council to provide six new homes on the new Town Mill Road development, built by Taylor Wimpey. The properties have been allocated to residents with connections to the area.

The new homes are a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bed houses, each with private gardens and off road parking. Five of the properties are for affordable rent, whilst one has been sold as part of our low cost home ownership scheme.

In June, our residents attended a special viewing of their new homes and we were delighted to hear how much they loved them. Ms Jayne Lynn said: “The house is fantastic and of such good quality. It’s also in a perfect location for us as it is close to our school.”

Ms Symone Davies and her son, Ethan, and daughter, Ffion, were also pleased.

After taking a look around their new house, Ms Davies said: “It’s not what I expected – it’s far, far better. We’re all really looking forward to moving in.”

Ms Symone Davies and her children love their new home

The keys to the properties have now been handed over to the happy residents.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, said: “The shortage of affordable housing in rural areas is at an all-time high, with many people being priced out of the property market in areas such as the Vale. By working closely with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to deliver these new homes in Cowbridge, we hope to help local people to stay in the area near their families, friends and local services. We wish our residents all the best in their new homes.”

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

Planned Maintenance Below are the schemes that we plan to upgrade for the remainder of the year.

Kitchens

Windows/Doors

Cwrt Cable, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

Dol Glas, Brecon, Powys.

Cwrt Leighton, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

Caerau Court Road, Cardiff (no. 13-67)

Bathrooms

Maelor Place, Ruabon, Wrexham. (no. 5-22) Western Court, Bridgend.

The Beeches, Bridgend.

Windows/Patio Doors Spinney Close, Cardiff.

Doors

Victory Court, Mold, Flintshire.

Dros Y Morfa, Cardiff.

PH Jones Prize Draw Win £250, champagne, a bouquet of flowers and chocolates You could also be a WINNER by having your gas boiler serviced on the first appointment, or give us at least 48 hours’ notice to postpone the visit.

The winner in the North was Mrs Brenda Eva from Marchwiel, Wrexham, who said: “I am very pleased as this means I can now afford a trip to London.”

The winners in the South were Mr & Mrs Hale from Kenfig Hill, Bridgend. They were over the moon and their prize money is going towards a holiday.

Planned Maintenance | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 13

Mrs Perry’s new bathroom Mrs Perry can shower in comfort in her refurbished bathroom.

Mrs Perry of Elm Street, Cardiff, has lived in her home for many years. She remembers seeing the elephants when the circuses came to Cardiff years ago, as all the animals were kept in the stables at the back of the houses.

“The workers were as good as gold; they even swept all the landing and washed everything down and left it spotless. They were excellent workers, very kind and helpful, I couldn’t have hoped for nicer people to be in my home,” said Betty.

Betty is very happy with her new bathroom; it was recently refurbished and now includes a swing seat/chair over the bath which makes having a shower much easier.

Direct Debit Winner Pay your rent by Direct Debit and YOU could WIN £100 To pay your rent by Direct Debit, simply contact your Housing Officer or our Customer Service Centre on 0800 052 2526.

The winners from the last quarter are Mr Aung and Mrs Lwin from Penylan, Cardiff.

Mr Aung with children 4 year old Than Sin Awun and 2 year old Zay Aung.

14| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Resident Satisfaction Survey Results 2014

Resident Satisfaction

Survey Results In March and April 2014 we ran our annual resident satisfaction survey using an independent company named ARP Research. This survey is very important to us. We will use it to identify the actions we should take to better meet the needs of our residents based on what matters to you.

We run the survey every year, and each time we will send questionnaires to one third of our residents, selected in such a way as to be representative of the resident population as a whole.

This year we received 824 completed questionnaires, which was 30% of those we sent out (approx. 2,750).

Many of the questions asked you to give us a score out of ten, which when combined together gave us an average score for each. All of the other questions gave us percentage scores out of 100.

The following pages will explain some of the main results from the survey, and we will be using the detailed results for each scheme to target improvements in our services at a local level.

Your home

More of you are satisfied with your property overall, which scored an average of 8.27 out of 10 - a significant improvement on last year.

This score is higher due to some significant improvements to the level of security (scoring 7.79 average), heating systems (7.54) and level of soundproofing (6.48) although some of you mentioned there is still work needed in this area.

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Rent and money The majority of you felt we help you to pay your rent and stay out of arrears with an average score of 8.71 out of 10, including 61% of you who gave us a perfect score of 10. Those who had been in rent arrears found the regular and quick contact from us to be helpful (average 8.14 out of 10).

Your neighbourhood The neighbourhood you live in will always affect how happy you are in your home. While we can’t improve things on our own it is still important for us to know what you think about your local area so we can do whatever we can to improve it.

Most of you like the area where you live (8.43 average score) with good neighbours, peaceful environment and access to local amenities once again cited as the three main reasons you like living here. However, around 1 in 9 of you said that neighbours problems were the main reason why you dislike where you live.

Parking was the main thing you would like to see improved where you live followed by better fencing and gates.

Repairs and maintenance Around three out of five of you had contacted us in the previous six months about a repair, with this group scoring the overall service provided 7.29 out of 10.

Those of you who had a heating repair rated the service received even higher (7.78 out of ten). The main reason you gave for not rating the overall repairs service a 10 is that you had to wait too long or more than one visit was required.

Contact with us The scores for the standard of customer service when making contact with us were again generally good. Half of you (50%) have given us a perfect score of 10 for the ability of staff to fully deal with your query (average overall score 8.25) with even more of you rating the helpfulness of the staff as 10 out of 10 (56%, average score 8.64).

16| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Resident Satisfaction Survey Results 2014

Communication and information We were pleased to see that the vast majority of you thought we were good at keeping you informed about the things that affect you (84%), which is a slight improvement on last year.

The preferred method of receiving information from us was clearly paper documents through the post, with 80% of you indicating this method. A greater number of you would prefer us to use e-mail as a way of receiving information (22%), whilst the proportion of you preferring to receive information by text message has more than doubled (23%, up from 11%).

One in four of you would like to use Facebook to learn more about our services or as a method of communicating with us.

Resident involvement

Around three quarters of you were satisfied that we listen to your views and act accordingly, which is a significant improvement since 2012. We have monitored this carefully over the last year and it appears our work in this area is paying dividends, although there is still work to be done if it is to continue to improve.

Future services Two out of five of you were interested in the suggested future services, with a quarter of you willing to pay for them.

Interest was highest for the handyman/ small repairs/ decorating service, with more than a quarter of you expressing an interest in this proposed service. One in five of you were also interested in a gardening service.

We are also exploring ways to help those who are not currently working get into the workplace, and one in five of you are interested in this scheme. Around one in eight of you were interested in help getting a permanent job with us or one of our partners.

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Resident Satisfaction Survey 2014 Winners In the Winter 2013 edition of In Touch, we told you how residents who returned their completed satisfaction surveys would automatically be entered in a free prize draw. The survey takes place annually with a third of households being surveyed each year, so you should receive a survey from us once in a 3 year period.

The Lucky winner of £100 Argos vouchers was Mr Brown of Rhoose, South Wales, who said: “It came as a very pleasant surprise. I have friends who looked after me in the past and I thought I could return the favour. They are also expecting a baby and the vouchers could help buy things for the baby as well as birthday presents for their boy.”

The second prize winner of £75 Argos vouchers was Mr Medrek and Miss Sobczyk of Wrexham.

The third prize winner of £50 Argos vouchers was Mr Griffiths from Queensferry.

L-R Natalia, Anna and 3 month old Veronica

Mr Lesley Griffiths from Queensferry with Housing Officer Catherine Marland.

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

Money troubles? Turn2us.

Turn2us is a free and independent service helping people in financial need to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help.

The Turn2us website – www.turn2us. org.uk - includes a free and easy to use Benefits Calculator which helps you to check which welfare benefits you are entitled to, the amounts you could receive and how to make a claim. It calculates entitlements to all means-tested benefits and highlights non-means tested benefits and other help that might be available.

As well as helping people to access welfare benefits, Turn2us has a Grants Search tool containing details of over 3,000 charitable funds. Depending on your background and circumstances, you may be eligible for welfare or educational grants or other support services.

The Turn2us website also features further information and resources on welfare benefits and managing money, including a ‘Find an Adviser’ tool for people to get advice on their situation in their local area.

For more info, visit www.turn2us.org.uk.

You can also contact the free confidential Turn2us helpline on 0808 802 2000 (open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm).

Denise’s Story Going back to work can be a very unsettling time financially; it’s hard to know what your total income will be and how often you receive your money might be different. Just because you start work

doesn’t mean all benefit entitlement stops, but what you do receive is likely to change.

This very situation was difficult for resident Denise at first; everything seemed so uncertain and this proved to be an unnecessary stress on top of returning to work. Tenancy Support Officer Tracy Bevan helped Denise by using the Turn2us calculator. Denise said: “Wales & West are very supportive, especially for those living with a disability.

The Turn2us calculation gave me the reassurance that going back to work was the right decision.”

Helpful hints • Let benefit agencies know of changes in your circumstances as soon as possible, even if you don’t know the full details yet - and keep them updated.

• Don’t assume that because you are starting work that your entitlement to Housing Benefit and Tax Credits will stop. Almost half the people receiving help with their rent through Housing Benefit are in work.

• Put in applications for new benefits such as Tax Credits as soon as possible.

• Don’t forget to use the ‘What If’ calculations on the Turn2us website that allow you to work through different scenarios –what if I increase my hours, what’s going to happen when my child is born?

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Making it

easier to pay

your TV Licence TV Licensing understands it can be hard to pay the annual fee of £145.50 for a TV Licence in one go. So to help, there are a number of different ways to pay for a TV Licence - in weekly, monthly and quarterly instalments, by telephone, online, direct debit and at Pay Points.

To spread the cost into weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments you might like to try using our Payment Card. Once you’re signed up, we’ll send you a payment plan showing when and how much you need to pay towards your TV Licence.

The payment card is open to everyone and you can even set up text reminders to let you know when your next payment is due. To find out how to sign up, give TV Licensing a call on 0300 555 0286.

What’s more, our TV Licence Savings Card also offers a simple way to save for next year’s licence fee.

You can deposit savings whenever you like, with a minimum payment of £2.

It’s free to apply and there’s no charge for using it. We’ll send you a statement every six months and you can check your balance online or by phone. Apply now by calling 0300 555 0281.

To find out more about easy ways to pay for your TV Licence and the concessions available, simply visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

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

Save money at mealtimes with

Love Food Hate Waste Food shopping can be expensive, especially when you need to feed a hungry family! UK households waste £12.5 billion worth of good food and drink each year, costing the average family with children £700 a year - or around £60 a month. Most of this food and drink waste could have been avoided if only we’d eaten it in time, or knew how much food to prepare and what we could do with our leftovers.

In this article, Love Food Hate Waste gives us some handy food-saving tips on how you can make your money go further at mealtimes.

Getting Organised Planning our meals and shopping is a great way to save money and time.

Planning doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming - just a quick check in the cupboards, a rummage in the fridge, then making a quick list before hitting the supermarket means that we are less likely to spend time wandering around the shop wondering what to have for tea and picking up unnecessary items. If you need ideas to get you started, have a look at the ready-made meal plans and shopping lists on www.lovefoodhatewaste.com, or download the free app that will help generate shopping lists for the meals that you want.

Bagging a Bargain If you are more spontaneous in your food shopping, need to shop on a daily basis or like to make the best use of daily bargains, www.lovefoodhatewaste.com suggests all sorts of recipes, hints and tips for those special offers or multi-buys.

Mind the Gap Even when we are organised in the kitchen, all sorts of things crop up and our plans change. We work late, grab a takeaway, eat out, or just don’t fancy what we had planned. If that’s the case, why not plan some gaps into your weekly meal plan to leave some wriggle room? For example, planning for five days’ meals a week allows for those changing plans. If you do happen to be at home, it’s a great opportunity to use meals from the freezer, or use leftover or forgotten foods to make a meal.

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Snow Patrol Using meals from the freezer as a regular part of our plans prevents our freezers becoming overstocked with food that we then forget is in there. It also means that we use our frozen food whilst its quality is high. Keeping a handy list stuck on the freezer door avoids having to search through our frozen foods to try and work out what we have in stock. Keep an eye on foods in your fridge that are coming up to their use-by date and move them into the freezer if you are not going to use them in time.

Top Tips • If you’re inviting lots of guests over for meal and aren’t sure how much to buy and cook, try Love Food Hate Waste’s online perfect portion calculator at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/portions • If salad is looking tired and wilted put it in a bowl of water with a couple of icecubes to get it nice and crisp again.

• If raspberries, strawberries and blueberries look past their prime, cook gently in a saucepan until soft and then serve with crème fraiche or ice-cream for an easy pud.

• Keep the children entertained by giving them refreshing lollies made with left over fruit juice and yoghurts frozen into ice-lolly moulds.

• If you’ve got leftover cooked meat, wrap it well and keep it in the fridge – it will be good to use for up to two days, alternatively pop it in the freezer for another time.

• Bread rolls that have gone a bit stale will be delicious toasted. Or make them into breadcrumbs and freeze in a freezer bag to use later for making stuffing, bread sauce or mix with grated cheese for a gratin topping.

For great recipes and more tips, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com or download the free app from your app store- LFHW. Love Food Hate Waste offers FREE fun and interactive sessions to help everyone make the most of their food and save money.

If you and other members of your local community would like to take part in a session, contact Joanne Tarling on 07712 852013 or email joanne.tarling@wrap.org.uk

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

Quarterly Report Keeping you in the picture Up to now we have published a quarterly update of our performance in In Touch via a series of figures and complimentary narrative – known by some you as ‘the blobs’.

We decided to explore other ways of providing you with this information so that key information is presented to you in a clear pictorial format, using infographics. Our plan is to publish a series of infographics in In Touch with each one representing key facts about one of our business systems.

Only Residents Aloud (ORA), and, Resident Participation Steering Group (RPSG) members have recently been asked their opinion on our proposed new way of keeping our residents informed about WWH performance.

ORA and RPSG members were asked their opinion on two infographics, one themed around the ‘Fix my home’ system and the other covering ‘Help me pay’ so that we can come up with the most meaningful and easy to understand quarterly reports for you.

They were asked a series of open questions: • what they liked, • what they disliked, •w hether the designs gave the right information; and • a nything else that should feature on the infographics.

We received 20 ORA survey responses in total and we’ve also had extra feedback from a focus group of RPSG members.

And based on what they told us we have produced our first new-look quarterly report infographic which we hope tells you all you want to know about our rents, how people pay and how we help them when needed.

So please take a good look at it, and, if you’ve any comments or would like to know anything else about our system, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

You can email us on contactus@wwha.co.uk, or call us on freephone 0800 052 2526.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

99% of what we should collect

2,382

Some pe op

£40m

households

The figure is slowly reducing

69%

7/10

to arrears et in g le

745

are now keeping to an arrangement to pay off their arrears

of those are now keeping in agreement

Bedroom Tax has affected around

830

Tenancy Support

Officers helped

families

with budgets

400 people on average are £15 better off per week

are not keeping to an arrangement to pay off their arrears

We carried out

10

for rent arrears during 2013.

This figure is down from last year.

124 households have

downsized

24| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Healthy Living

It’s time to get active!

Change 4 Life Wales gives some great advice on how you can get active – whatever your fitness level - and improve your health.

Building activity into your day keeps your heart healthy, reduces your risk of serious illness and strengthens joints. It can also be a great way of reducing your stress levels and lifting your mood if you’re feeling down.

Many people aren’t too keen on the idea of exercise initially - it may be that we’re too busy, too tired, or perhaps just never been interested in exercise before. But there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy and you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic - every ten minutes of activity counts!

Hated sport at school?

Being active doesn’t have to be competitive or hard work – just fun! It doesn’t even have to be “sport”. You could try swimming, yoga, dancing, walking, gardening, zumba, hula hooping…there’s something for everyone and it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.

Watching the pennies?

Keeping fit doesn’t have to be expensive, just getting out for a walk each day can be enough. Remember, there are often reduced rates at gyms or leisure centres if you’re on a low income or benefit and many gyms work with local authorities and the NHS in Wales to provide GP referral schemes for disabled people. If you’re interested, your GP may be able refer you to a local gym.

Never tried it before?

You don’t have to plunge in at the deep end straight away. We all have to start somewhere and we’re all different, so the amount you’ll be able to do depends on how fit you are to begin with. Just start by trying something new and see how it goes.

How hard should it be?

If you can, try to do a combination of cardio-vascular and muscle-strengthening exercise. Aim to raise your heart rate and maybe get a bit sweaty. You should be a little out of breath and still able to talk, but not sing, while you’re doing it.

How much each day?

Every 10 minutes counts. Gradually build up to doing at least 150 minutes a week, and try a combination of ideas so that it doesn’t get boring - do activities that you enjoy. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do all 150 minutes in one go! It’s better if you spread it throughout the week in 10, 20 or 30 minute chunks.

Healthy Living| intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 25 Sounds too hard?

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Once you’ve done it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t want to go!

You’ll feel great!

Compare how you feel on the days you exercise with the days you don’t. And just seeing your progress over a few weeks or months will give you a great sense of pride.

Get splashing!

Swimming is a great way to be more active for people of all ages and abilities, because the water can support your body as well as giving extra resistance to work against.

It’s especially good for keeping the muscles in your arms, shoulders, chest and back strong, as well as developing stamina. Plus, the sense of freedom and floating can also be a great way to unwind and reduce stress.

Local authority pools are accessible for people with a range of disabilities and some also run specialist physiotherapy sessions.

Get walking!

Although it may seem simple, walking is great for keeping joints and muscles strong, and an enjoyable way to get out and have some fresh air. You can do it alone or with friends and family, and as fast or slow as you like. It’s the simplest and cheapest way of getting around. All you need is a comfy pair of shoes to get going!

Green fingers Why not swap the living room for the garden? Gardening is a great way of getting outdoors and being active – you could even have fun growing your own veggies too!

Fancy something more sporty?

Think about the sports you enjoy watching on TV and get out and give them a try.

How about a trip to the local golf course, or a kick-about in the park with the kids?

If you used to enjoy playing a particular sport the you can always take it up again.

Local clubs cater for a range of ages and abilities so you can build up gradually and at your own pace. Plus, there are now over 750 clubs and sessions across Wales that provide a huge range of activities for people with disabilities, from archery to wheelchair football. Visit www. disabilitysportwales.com or call 0845 8460021 for details of activities taking place in your area.

Remember: If you have a serious medical condition, long-standing illness or disability, you should consult your GP before starting to exercise.

For more great tips on how you can get active and improve your lifestyle, visit www.change4lifewales.org.uk

26| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Work. Skills. Experience

Communities First here to help you Are you looking for help to get back into work? Perhaps you’d like to gain qualifications or learn new skills? Maybe you’re looking to improve your health?

Your local Communities First team can help.

business and other key agencies in their area. Their friendly, supportive teams have a range of free courses and activities to help you and your community to become healthier, more prosperous and learn new skills.

Communities First teams are funded by the Welsh Government and work with residents, community organisations,

In this article, you’ll find contact details as well as activities and courses the Communities First teams have coming up.

Cardiff (Ely/Caerau and Fairwater/Pentrebane)

Ely Info Drop-In Help with debt, benefits, housing, Foodbank vouchers and more Ely and Caerau Hub, every Tuesday, 1pm-3pm Pentrebane Community Centre, every Wednesday, 11am – 1:30pm

Work Club Pop in for help with finding work, CV writing, interview skills and more.

Dusty Forge Centre, 460 Cowbridge Road West, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-4pm Pentrebane Community Centre, Wednesday 10am-4pm

Feel Good Families Club Weight checks, refreshments and access to community trips and activity groups such as walking, cycling and arts and crafts.

Ely Baptist Church Every Wednesday, 9:30am-11am Call 02920 003132 for info

The Getaway Project Retreat from your daily stresses and relax! Tea, cake, chat, and activities.

Dusty Forge Centre, 460 Cowbridge Road West Every Thursday, 11am – 1:30pm Call or text Kelly on 07885 914073 for info

Work. Skills. Experience | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 27

Bridgend Over 50s Health Info Day Free health checks, advice and info, healthy cooking demos and taster exercise activities.

Tynycoed Surgery, Sarn Tuesday 30th September 2pm – 6pm

Cardiff (Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath) For info on upcoming activities, call the team on 02920 468488

Swansea For info on upcoming activities, call the team on 01792 635238

Vale of Glamorgan (Barry) For info on upcoming activities, call the team on 01446 709432

Merthyr Tydfil For info on upcoming activities, call the team on 01685 725225

Cardiff (Butetown, Riverside and Grangetown) For info on upcoming activities, call the team on 02920 220309

Cardiff (East Cardiff, Llanedeyrn and Pentwyn) Here All Week! Project ECLP Homework Club, Llanrumney Hub, starting at 10am on Sunday 12th October Dr Bike Clinic (free bike repairs and advice), Llanrumney Hub, 3:15pm-6pm on Thursday 17th October Enterprise Roadshow, Llanrumney Hub, 10am-3pm on Friday 18th October.

Top tips and info for those who want to start their own business!

For more information and events, call Joe on 07969 185 047

28| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Work. Skills. Experience Cardiff (Ely/Caerau and Fairwater/Pentrebane) Foodwise 8 week weight management programme coming to you!

Call Helen on 01443 864387 for info Mental Health Support Group Friendly support to help you deal with stress, anxiety or confidence issues. call David on 01495 222605 Bouncing Back From Cancer Weekly exercise sessions led by the National Exercise Referral Scheme team for those recovering and deemed well enough to exercise.

Call Helen on 01443 864387 for info

Denbighshire Job Support Club Help for those looking for work – with CV writing guidance, internet access, money management advice and more.

Communities First Office, 82 Marsh Street, Rhyl Every Friday, 10:30am-1pm For more info on this and further activities, call 01745 332528

Digital Fridays Free club for those who want to learn basic computer and internet skills.

Every Friday Bargoed Library, 10am-1pm Blackwood Library, 10am-1pm Caerphilly Library, 10am-3pm Newbridge Library, 10am-1pm New Tredegar Library, 10am-1pm Risca Library, 10am-1pm

Wrexham Jobs Fair St Peter’s Hall, Smithfield Tuesday 30th September, 1pm For details on further upcoming activities, call the team on 01978 357583

Rhondda Cynon Taff For information on C1st areas and activities taking place, call 01443 425761

Work. Skills. Experience | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 29 Conwy Onwards & Upwards Confidence building course to help you gain accredited qualifications whilst giving back to the community. Learn how to plan community activities and cover subjects such as decision making, problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Call Rob and Mary on 01492 531663 for info Come and Cook!

6 week nutrition and cookery course coming to you soon!

Call the team on 01745 361140 for info Just the Job Job session every Tuesday, 1:30pm3pm at Ty Hapus Community Resource

Centre, Llandudno Universal Jobmatch session every Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm at Bay Learning Centre, Colwyn Bay Job Drop-In session every Thursday, 1pm-3pm, Ty Llewellyn Community Centre, Llandudno Construction Industry Qualification Need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) certificate for that job you want in construction? C1st is working with Community Justice In Wales to deliver the training in landudno, Colwyn Bay and Kinmel Bay. Call Mary on 01492 531996 for more info.

Flintshire Beginners Computer Course Two part course for those who want to make the best use of their computer and learn basic skills. Range of September and October dates available in Connah’s Quay Library, Mold Library and Holywell Library.

For more information, call Mel on 01352 744026 Come and Cook!

6 week nutrition and cookery course at John Summers Community Campus, Queensferry, starting Wednesday 17th September, 12pm-2:30pm.

To find out more and book your place, call Judy on 01244 846090

Drop-In Job Club For help in finding work, interview skills, CV writing and more.

John Summers Community Campus, Queensferry Every Tuesday, 1pm – 3:30pm Enterprise Club For entrepreneurs of all ages at all stages of developing their business.

John Summers Community Campus, Queensferry 5th September, 19th September, 3rd October, 17th October, 10am-12pm Call the team on 01244 846090 for info

30| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Work. Skills. Experience

“I now have something to get up for” Resident Denise Edwards tells her inspirational story of how she overcame difficulties to get back into work.

“The dark times have changed me for the better”, says Denise, 48, of Hill Court, Wrexham. Denise, a mother of two, who is visually impaired, studied hard to achieve a degree in criminal justice and worked for the probationary services.

But life took a turn for the worse. Denise was bullied at work and following a break-up with her husband, she relied on vodka to escape her problems and became homeless.

Denise’s children were taken away from her and she found herself fighting a tribunal against her employers.

“I started to fight back,” says Denise, who then went to live in a hostel. “I told my boss ‘You haven’t just taken my job – you’ve ruined my life!’” Denise won her tribunal, moved into Hill Court and was reunited with her children - but the experience affected her deeply. “I didn’t want to leave my home for two years,” she said. “I’d lost all my confidence after a week of being pulled to pieces in the tribunal.”

After time, Denise did pick herself up, stopped her drinking habit and managed to get voluntary work providing advice on a drugs and alcohol helpline known as CDFB. “Volunteering was a great stepping stone for me, as I gradually became more confident.

The work experience led to me being offered permanent work,” says Denise.

Tracy Bevan with Denise Edwards and Bliss

Tenancy Support Officer Tracy Bevan helped Denise to complete the paperwork needed now she was back in work. “I love Tracy to bits,” says Denise. “Both she and Asset Management Officer Annerley Brown have been brilliant – nothing is ever too much trouble for them. My home has been adapted to help me get around better, with more lighting making such a difference.”

Tracy says: “As a customer, Denise is second to none. Everything changes when you go back to work. Although Denise is no longer receiving housing benefit she is eligible for Tax Credits and Disability Living Allowance, so I have been helping her to sort these out.”

How does Denise feel now? “The dark times have changed me for the better,” she says.

“I feel it all happened for a reason. Now I’m working I can afford to buy furniture – it gives me something to get up for. I also like to treat myself with clothes from the shops when I get paid – I’ve earned it.”

Work. Skills. Experience | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 31

Work. Skills. Experience

‘Mam convinced me… and now I’d tell anyone else to go for it too’

Cyfarthfa High School pupil Toby Lagos wasn’t too sure about doing a week’s work experience with a Cardiff law firm when he first heard about the opportunity from WWH Community Development Participation Officer Alison Chaplin. “To be honest, I weren’t too keen,” says Toby, 15, of Twyncarmel, Merthyr Tydfil. “But Mam convinced me. And now I don’t regret it one bit.”

Toby, of Twyncarmel, who is taking GCSEs in subjects including History, Geography and Computer Science, spent a week with Blake Morgan in Cardiff as part of their Growing Ambitions programme.

Now in its third year, Growing Ambitions gives young people like Toby, who have been nominated by social housing providers, the chance to spend a week with Blake Morgan, gaining vital work experience and helping them to make informed choices about their future career.

Mentored by trainee solicitors, the programme included the opportunity to spend a ‘day in the life’ of a lawyer,

attending Court, taking part in workshops to learn skills such as negotiation and presentation and time with human resources professionals who gave tips on interview techniques and completing application forms. Toby added: “Having the opportunity to spend a week with solicitors at Blake Morgan was a fantastic experience enabling me to really think about my future career. I wouldn’t mind being a solicitor. It was quite fun in a way!”

Mererid McDaid, Associate with Blake Morgan and who is responsible for the co-ordinating the scheme, adds: “We are extremely pleased that we are able to work in partnership with our social housing clients to offer young people aged 15-16 meaningful work experience. Since its inception, interest in the scheme has grown and we are delighted that Growing Ambitions provides an interesting and motivating experience for young people.”

Bridget Garrod, Neighbourhood Initiatives Manager, WWH, said: “We are really pleased we were able to offer this worthwhile opportunity to Toby and that he got so much out of it. We hope to be able to repeat this opportunity next year to our residents of Merthyr Tydfil.”

32| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Going Green

Green-fingered residents

win TPAS award

Susan Owen said: “I’m really pleased.

The garden has been so worthwhile – it took a lot of hard work but we got there eventually.”

Husband Keith agreed: “It is a great project bringing everyone together – we have a wonderful community spirit.”

Buxton Court TPAS Awards Improving the Environment Winners

Green-fingered residents at Buxton Court, Rhyl, celebrated winning an Improving the Environment award at the TPAS Cymru awards in Llandudno recently.

The success follows on from the residents winning a WWH Eco Champion award last October for creating their community garden.

The Rhyl residents have made a positive impact on their community by creating a thriving community garden on land which was once an unadorned patio area.

Land for the garden was made available

by WWH, raised beds were built with the help of Cambria Maintenance Services, and Buxton Court residents have learned together how to raise money to support their growing garden project.

Co-ordinated by Keith and Susan Owen, residents are now growing nutritious fresh vegetables and salads that are shared amongst the group.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, said: “Our residents at Buxton Court totally deserve this recognition as they have put so much effort into creating a beautiful garden that can be enjoyed by all the community.

Not only does the garden provide healthy exercise for them, but it is also a place where they can socialise.”

Irene’s dreams come true When Chirk resident Irene Winn, 58, wanted to grow vegetables and plants for others to enjoy at the scheme, WWH, Keep Wales Tidy and Best Companies answered her call for help.

Irene contacted Community Development Project Officer Vy Cochran at WWH who then called on Shane Hughes, Keep Wales Tidy Project Officer, for support.

Irene said: “Before I knew it, Shane had managed to get six volunteers from Best Companies to help me create a communal garden and my dream is now coming true.”

Chirk garden volunteers

Going Green | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 33

Garden grows from strength to strength Green fingered residents from St. Mellons Pact group have seen the success of their community garden grow thanks to their hard work and dedication.

The group of volunteers has been the driving force in the garden, providing their own seeds and plants and even building bird boxes, as well as a sitting area and pond to attract wildlife.

In recent months, WWH has provided funding for the residents to learn how to grow fruit and veg with horticulture classes from Isla Horton, Riverside Market

St Mellons community garden

Association. Amongst other items, WWH has also funded and built a level access path so that those residents in wheelchairs can also enjoy the garden.

The group has now successfully grown a variety of crops, wildflowers and made hanging baskets thanks to their blossoming skills.

If you’re a local resident and would like to volunteer at St Mellons Community Garden, join the group for their horticulture session every Friday, 1pm – 4pm.

34| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Going Green

Residents get Our youngest

digging!

Residents at Hanover Court, Barry, got together earlier this summer to build their new raised bed. The keen gardeners now have a range of fresh veg growing – from potatoes to beetroot and broad beans!

gardener yet!

Langford Close resident Alfie Williams, 2, shows that you’re never too young to enjoy gardening! Here he is tending his tomato plant.

Residents proud of

their gardens St Catherine’s Court

green fingered

gardener Mr Emrys Phillips had always enjoyed gardening before coming to live at St Catherine’s Court, Caerphilly. After linking in with others at the scheme, he decided to make a small allotment for everyone to enjoy. Emrys has now successfully grown a variety of produce, which happy residents have described as ‘delicious’.

As you can see from the picture, resident Roy Bailey and others living at Sydney Hall Court, Flintshire, are enjoying their communal gardens - thanks to John “The Gardener” Ellis, who lives at the scheme.

John, 64, said: “I’ve always enjoyed gardening and like being active and helping others. We all muck in together to grow plans and vegetables and I’d like to thank Richard from The Plough who is kindly donating a pub bench to the scheme.”

Make It Happen | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 35

Make It Happen: Oak Court Residents at Oak Court in Penarth came together to mark the opening of their community garden recently.

The event, sponsored by CJS Electrical and Gibson Specialist Technical Services, saw residents celebrating in the sunshine with a buffet, raffle, DJ set and a best hat competition as part of the party’s Ladies’ Day at Ascot theme. Over the past 12 months, those living at Oak Court have worked tirelessly to transform the garden. From a bare grass area just one year ago, the garden is now blossoming with wild flowers, potted plants and a huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Other features include an ornamental garden and wheelchair- friendly patio area.

As well as raising over £600 for the garden themselves through raffles, bake sales and big breakfasts, the green-fingered residents have received help along the way with funding from WWH’s Make It Happen Grant and Environment Fund, as well as support and assistance from WWH staff. The funding has provided a shed, greenhouse and raised bed amongst other garden goods.

The Oak Court gardeners are also the first WWH residents to pioneer an exciting new aquaponics system, again thanks to funding received from WWH. The innovative system sees water from their fish tank recycled in to clean water to feed their growing plants, which, in turn, cleans the water for the fish.

Sandra Thomas, Oak Court resident and member of the gardening club, said: “We’re so pleased with the garden - it’s lovely to

Anne Hinchey opens the garden with Oak Court residents and scheme manager Sally Lewis

see everyone sitting out on the patio with their cold drinks and ice cream, enjoying the weather. We’ve worked so hard – from morning until late evening at times – but I love it. Gardening is so therapeutic and has done me the world of good.”

Fellow resident David John Brigham commented: “I knew nothing about gardening before we started this project, but now I’ve learnt so much. I really enjoy it and I’m out in the garden for a good few hours a day - weeding, watering the plants and looking after the fish.”

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, said: “The community garden at Oak Court is one of several that we have helped our residents to create and I look forward to seeing many more. From speaking with the residents here, it’s evident that the garden has had a really positive impact on their happiness and wellbeing, which is wonderful to see. I would like to say well done to all those involved.”

To find out more about funding available for resident groups and community activities, please contact Claire Hammond, Resident Participation Strategy Officer, on 0800 052 2526.

36| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | A Day in the Life

A Day in the Life of…

a Development Officer Jodine Bishop, 35, is a Development Officer based in our headquarters in Cardiff.

I’ve worked for Wales & West Housing for 8 years now and have been a Development Officer for just over a year. It’s a really interesting role which sees me out and about on site quite a lot as well as in the office. I cover the Vale of Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil areas.

I do love this job – there’s such variety and I get to deal with lots of people, from contractors to residents. It’s challenging, but that’s what I enjoy. Plus I’ve got great colleagues and we all work so well together – I couldn’t ask for a better team.

In a nutshell, the role sees me managing and co-ordinating development projects, both pre and post contract. So this includes project managing new properties on site, attending site meetings, arranging viewing days and working with planning consultants on planning submissions. I have to work closely with the Housing and Property Services departments in WWH too, keeping them updated on how things are going on site.

There’s always loads to do and no two days are ever the same!

It’s been really busy lately as I’ve been working to get two sites submitted for planning permission in Merthyr. So today I’ve been out to meet the engineers, planning consultant and architects to make sure we get the plans in by our deadline. I also worked with the Housing department to arrange a resident consultation in Merthyr recently, to show local people the plans for one of our new developments. It’s important to us that we link in with the community.

Development Officer Jodine Bishop

News & Views | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 37

Canal Ahoy!

From Miss Wendy Prance, Pendyrys House in Cardiff.

On the 4th July a group of our residents from Pendyrys House, Lord Pontypridd House and Western Court in Cardiff braved the changeable weather of the Brecon Beacons. Here, Miss Wendy Prance from Pendyrys House tells us about their adventure.

“We enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way – mountains speckled with sheep, and when we arrived at the mountain centre for a short stop, the birds were singing away and picking nuts from the holder. We ignored the rain as we explored the shop for small presents and the very necessary ‘Bara Brith’ to take home.

“On we went until we arrived at the Brecon Canal basin where the ‘Dragonfly’ day boat was waiting for us. We made our way on board, most of us having brought packed lunches.

“The boat glided along the canal, which hugs the mountainside above the valley

of the River Usk, at about 4 miles an hour.

We enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing hour viewing lovely trees and flowers on the banks of the canal, as well as different kinds of birds like ducks and herons.

Attractive houses fronted onto the canal in places.

“We cruised to a canal lock where it was interesting to see the lock-keeper winding the wheel that controls the water level.

We passed over the aqueduct carrying the canal over the river Usk, and then we made the return journey on this 200 year old waterway, built before roads and railways, when horses moved slowly along the towpath dragging barges laden down with industrial materials.

“We had a lovely day and would highly recommend the outing to anyone to enjoy. We would also like to thank Scheme Manager Ann White of Pendyrys House for so kindly arranging it for us all to enjoy.”

For more information about Dragonfly Cruises, please contact 07831 685222 or email info@dragonfly-cruises.co.uk

Residents enjoy a trip on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

38| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | News & Views

Oakmeadow Court in Cardiff held its own

Commonwealth Games With excitement in the air and residents fit for fun, on the 30th July at 4pm the games began!

Residents, friends and grandchildren had such fun playing games like hula-hoop, netball, ball in a cup, bean bags throwing and penalty shootout.

The winners of the very energetic games won special Oakmeadow Gold Medals! The youngest competitor was Maise, age 8, and the oldest was Doris at 91 years young.

“It was nice to see new residents and families joining in the fun day. It was a great day and is a great place to live,” said Pat Denning.

“The games and the banter were good, it took me straight back to my school days.

The food was excellent - I take my hat off to the organisers,” said Mary Hughes.

Phyllis Murray commented: “What a positive day, everyone enjoyed themselves and we all went home very happy.”

“It was a great day, we had such a laugh,” added Olive Bolwell.

“It warms my heart to see the generations coming together to enjoy the weather, the company of their neighbours and the great food provided by residents Mary, Jan and Viv. It was a great day,” said Bill Ford, Scheme Manager.

News & Views | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 39

A visit to the Royal Garden Party at

Buckingham House for the British Red Cross

On the 12th June, twenty year old Jason Baldwin together with his mother Mrs Susan Rothwell from Bridgend travelled to London. Jason had been invited because of his volunteering work for the local British Red Cross. “We really enjoyed the day and saw Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra.

I am so very proud of Jason and what he has accomplished,” said Mrs Rothwell.

Attic sale helps

children in Kenya Residents got together at Sylvester Court recently for a charity attic sale. They found all sorts of items to sell - so much so that they completely filled their communal room at the scheme in Hightown, Wrexham.

Sylvester Court charity attic sale

The total amount was shared between the Breakthrough Foundation – who provides support children in Kenya affected by HIV/ AIDS and Sylvester Court Comfort funds.

40| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | News & Views

Residents enjoy a tea party at Ystad Goffa in Flint “We had a wonderful afternoon tea party on Thursday 31st August, for which Amanda Doran provided us with a lovely selection of cakes. We had a brilliant turn out to the event. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of all those who attended and also praise Mandy for all her efforts. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” said Alison Moody, Scheme Manager.

Spring Chicken Club outing to Caerphilly “Lunch out at the Red Kite in Caerphilly was a big thumbs up! Seventeen of Oldwell Court’s Spring Chicken club enjoyed a hearty meal and the food was lovely. The staff at the Red Kite were so helpful - they put the tables together for us and really made an effort to make sure we enjoyed our outing.

It won’t be long before we pop back again,” said Sandy Houdmont, Scheme Manager.

Oldwell Court Spring Chicken Club

Decisions Don’t know what to wear today Can’t make up me mind I look through the wardrobe To see what I can find Should I wear that low cut top I’ve got a necklace to match “Oh no” the skirts a bit skimpy I’ll have to start from scratch I’ll try that bright red dress on Oh! It’s a bit tight around the belly I’ll have to cut back on chocolate When I’m watching telly Then I hear a shout It’s me friend at the door Hurry up we’ll miss the bus The fifteen comes at four Then I look through the window Oh! B….. hell it’s raining I’ll get me mac and brolly After all I’m only going to Tesco’s I must be off me trolley.

Margaret Toft, resident at Ty Gwynn Jones, Abergele, North Wales.

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

Oldwell Court

remembrance of WW1 The trough of poppies was planted by resident Wendy Blewett. The Spring Chicken Club felt it important to show all that they hadn’t forgotten our War Heroes 100 years ago.

Rolfe Mitchel resident at Cwrt Anghorfa, Pyle, Bridgend sent in this moving poem about men going off to fight in WW1

WHY Why, when the grim accusing moustachioed finger pointed, Did they go from the idyll of this place twixt sheep capped hill and golden sands.

Leave the carbolic scented cwtching arms of wives and mothers, The wombs of chapel chaste sweethearts to bear the fruit of other men’s loins.

For their torn and shredded bodies to fertilise distant poppy red foreign fields Fighting, the plotted wars of princely potentates and proselysing politicians Who, carve forgotten fallen names in the cold stone of traffic islanded monuments That, when memories of those never aging faces have died with kith and kin, Shall be paraded and dutifully remembered on sombre rain swept autumn Sundays.

Why, when that call came, did they go, not stay.

42| www.wwha.co.uk | intouch | Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

and Anniversaries

A very special birthday for a very special lady

Above: L-R John Carpanini, Julie Jackson, Trevor Rees, birthday girl Jane Evans, Scheme Manager Pauline Gregory, Margaret Thomas and Sandra Williams.

On the 4th September Mrs Jane Evans celebrated her 100th birthday. A Rhondda girl, she worked as a dinner lady at Bodrinallt School in Ystrad where she was very popular with the children, even though she says she was very strict but the children in return treated her with respect and were well behaved.

Jane was widowed at a young age and learnt to be very independent.

Her strong Christian faith has helped her over the years and in the past she attended Libanus Chapel at Blaenclydach.

After moving into Llys Nazareth in Pentre during 1919, Jane then attended the nearby Salvation Army.

As well as being very much a part of the scheme, Jane has many friends and appreciates the help and support she has received from them all.

After great deal of thought, Jane said that her secret for her longevity is: “looking after myself, always eating healthily and not eating rubbish.�

Birthdays & Anniversaries | intouch | www.wwha.co.uk | 43

Golden Girls enjoy the same birthday

Happy 99th

Birthday Lil Mrs Lilian Griffiths celebrated her 99th birthday on the 22nd June by having a party, which was arranged for her by the residents of Danymynydd in the Garw Valley, Bridgend.

L-R Joy 85 years young, Christine 70 years young and Wendy 77 years young

Wendy Mc Carthy and Christine Sargeant - both residents at Oldwell Court - and Joy Naden from nearby Stonewell Court in Cardiff are all members of the Spring Chicken Club. They had a triple birthday celebration earlier this summer, as all were born on the 23rd of May.

Lil was born in Pontycymer and was one of seven children, 2 boys and 5 girls. Her childhood was very happy even though it was a difficult time. There was always good food on the table and a happy family all around her. After leaving school, she went to help her grandmother. She then went on to live in different parts of the Garw Valley, including Llangeinor, before returning to Pontycymer where her brother worked in the coal pit. Even after moving, Lilian still cycled to her grandmother’s to help out.

She remembers how on her cycle ride she would see all the coal miners going to work their shift and returning home on the buses, where they used to wave to her on her bike.

She married Albert and had two children, Alun and Linda.

Their surprise gifts came at the weekly coffee morning, where each received a bouquet of flowers and a special balloon.

Their joint birthday cake was made by Wendy’s daughter, Sarah. They obviously enjoyed their special day and loved being spoilt.

Happy Birthday Golden Girls!

“Lil is full of wonderful memories and tales of long ago. She is an amazing lady,” said Yvonne Humphreys, Scheme Manager.

Lilian Griffiths turned 99 years young this June

Supporting

Club

Christmas Pudding Appeal 2014

Cwmbran Vale

Cwmbran Vale Rotary Club have been selling Xmas Puds for several years with all profits going to our chosen charity. We are supporting The Stroke Association in 2014 having recently raised over ÂŁ15,000 in last years campaign.

Please support this cause by purchasing a case of 12 puddings

Only

ÂŁ10

ding in per pud f 12 s case o

www.rotaryxmaspuddings.co.uk /Cwmbran-Vale-Rotary-Club-The-Pudding-Club

/XmasPuddings