St mellons compact newsletter march 2013

March 2013

St Mellons Together

Issue 12

Hafod, Wales & West and Linc-Cymru Housing Associations and residents working together to make St. Mellons the place you are proud to live in.

Welfare Benefits

How will the changes affect you?

In this edition of St Mellons Together we look at the so-called ‘Bedroom Tax’ and how it could affect you - see pages 2 - 3

Check out progress on the St Mellons Community Garden project - see page 5 Cath Cobb Environmental Group update - see page 6

St Mellons Together | March 2013

St Mellons Together | March 2013

The bedroom tax - and you In this edition of St Mellons Together we are letting you know about the bedroom tax – and how it may affect you and your family.

Why? Because we want to make sure that everyone who’ll be affected by this: • Knows that it is going to happen and when • Understands how much their benefit may go down as a result of the bedroom tax • Has sought advice from their housing officer or other agencies • Has thought about their options • Has made an informed choice about whether they may wish to move to a smaller property, or stay put and find a way to make up the difference in their rent.

Please remember the bedroom tax will only affect people of working age so if you were born on the 1st October 1951 or earlier you should not be affected.

This is the minimum age that you can receive Pension Credit so if you receive any type of Pension Credit you will not be affected.

Not sure if you can receive pension credit? Go to www.direct.gov.uk and use the pension credit calculator, or ask your Housing Officer for help.

So what is the bedroom tax?

How much will people lose?

The Government has said that it will introduce new size criteria for housing benefit claims in social housing. This will apply from 1st April 2013 to tenants of working age (currently those born after 1st October 1951).

It depends. The cut will be a fixed percentage of the Housing Benefit eligible rent. The Government has said that this will be set at 14% for one extra bedroom and 25% for two or more extra bedrooms. We believe the average cost for one spare bedroom will be about £12 per week. Ask your Housing Officer for more information if you are not sure about whether you will be affected.

Who will be affected?

All claimants who are deemed to have at least one spare bedroom will be affected.

2

So what can I do?

If you think you are going to be affected by the bedroom tax you need to consider what you are going to do.

Firstly , talk to your landlord. Have a chat with your Housing Officer as soon as possible – they are there to help. They can discuss with you options including the possibility of a mutual exchange or transfer.

Please talk to your landlord first before you agree to swap properties as you need to have permission from us before any exchanges or transfers can be made.

If you want to consider a wider range of properties, then you can sign up to Homeswapper, the UK’s biggest home swap service, free of charge, giving yourself access to a wide range of properties across the country.

It’s easy to do, just log on to www.homeswapper.co.uk and input your details, making sure that the accommodation you’re looking for matches your needs. Homeswapper will then automatically match you to possible homeswaps.

As your Landlords we will do whatever we can to help you move if you choose to do so. If you are worried about this change please do not hesitate to contact us.

Want affordable good quality, fresh fruit & veg?

A food co-op is an easy way for you to get your 5-a-day - every day. It works by volunteers buying seasonal fruit and veg wholesale from local suppliers and passing on the savings to you. It’s just £3 for a whole bag of veg, fruit, salad or stir-fry!

A new food co-op will soon be running from the Beacon Centre from 2nd April 2013.

You place your order and pay for it every Tuesday from 10.30am - 2pm and receive your produce the following week. If you’d like to buy fruit and veg from the food co-op please contact Hannah James, Rural Regeneration Unit, on 02920 232943 or 07717 205438 or email hannah.james@rru.org.uk. Place your order on 2nd April and you might get a free bag of produce!

You’ll be kept updated on the Beacon Centre food co-op - look out for the flyer coming through your door and posters on the community notice boards (outside Hafod offices, Maes Eirwg and outside Rainbow House, Newent Road). You can also visit the Beacon Centre website www.beaconcentre.org.uk The food co-op is supported by Cardiff and Vale Public Health team www.cardiffandvalehub.wales.nhs.uk/meet-the-public-health-team and the Rural Regeneration Unit - visit their websites to find out more about food co-ops www.ruralregeneration.org.uk/case.php 3

St Mellons Together | March 2013

St Mellons Together | March 2013

St Mellons Community Education Centre Classes at St Mellons Community Education Centre

Did you know classes are held at the Education Centre ranging from getting to grips with English and Maths, to Computer courses, and Arts and Crafts including Needlecraft and Woodworking.

There is also Supporting Children with Additional Needs, Steps to Confidence and Parents Time For You. Classes are free, so come along and see if we have something for you - all our activities are friendly and fun, and you can make new friends and learn new skills.

Sid’s Story

I have completed many courses myself and am always very busy with one course or another. I decided to become a Community Learning Rep because if I can do anything to help inspire others, then I like to get involved and I am always happy to help. You get a good feeling helping others and I get a great deal of satisfaction.

By becoming a Community Learning Rep you will join an active network of volunteers offering local support, whilst also increasing your own knowledge of learning opportunities across Cardiff.

Inspired by Sid?

Why not phone for more information St Mellons Community Education Centre, Crickhowell Road, St Mellons, Cardiff CF3 0EF - Tel. 029 2077 8667

St Mellons Community Garden The Community Garden at Newent Road in St Mellons is now really starting to take shape. We held a volunteer day on 22nd March and the raised beds have now been built and filled with soil ready for planting. We’ve also built bird and bat boxes to attract wildlife to the gardens.

Lots of local residents are already involved, but we always need more, especially as the garden starts to grow.

Everyone can help in some way.

The Compact would like to thank the Cardiff East Neighbourhood Management Group for the recent grant award of £500 from the local TNT (Transforming Neighbourhood Tasking)

Fund. The monies will be used to help develop the St Mellons Community Garden and we are grateful for the award.

Visit our Facebook page StMellonsCommunityGarden to see the latest news and share your ideas.

You can also get involved or find out more by: • text 07766 832692 • email claire.hammond@wwha.co.uk • phone 0800 052 2526 - ask for Claire Hammond • post - Wales & West Housing, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff, CF24 2UD

Goodbye to Heather Marshall Community Learning Reps Course Could you give support and guidance to help others into learning by becoming a Community Learning Representative?

If you’ve been an adult learner, you’ll know how hard it can be to take that first step into learning. That’s where you can help - your experience of adult learning can help others overcome these hurdles. You can provide practical help and encouragement that can make all the difference.

4

Heather Marshall was part of the Neighbourhood Learning Team bringing adult learning first to the South East of Cardiff and, more recently, working at St Mellons Community Education Centre.

The St Mellons Compact would like to thank Heather for her hard work in developing courses and supporting the Community Crèche, enabling many Mums to develop their skills and continue learning. Good luck Heather in your future ventures! John Hobson will be continuing the good work and hopes to bring lots more exciting courses to the Community Ed Centre.

5

St Mellons Together | March 2013

St Mellons Together | March 2013

Cath Cobb

Environmental Group Update

The Cath Cobb Environmental Group is delighted to confirm that they were successful in gaining funding of £1,500 from Environment Wales small grants pot towards the following: • Creating a small pond (scrape) at their Hendre Lake site to encourage wildlife such as frogs, toads, dragonflies and pond insects to the area.

• Purchasing binoculars to monitor which wild birds visit their sacrificial crop, planted last year at Hendre Lake.

• Purchasing hedge-laying tools • Purchasing hi-visual tabards to insure the safety of their volunteers when working at our sites in St. Mellons:

- Cath Cobb Woods - Hendre Lake - Beachwood Park The group were also successful in bidding for a free pack of 150 trees from the Woodland Trust Community Trees Project, which will be planted in and around the St. Mellons area to create new hedges/copse to encourage and sustain wildlife.

If you would like to know more about what the group does and how you could become involved and enjoy the fresh air and green spaces of St. Mellons, including its abundance of wildlife, please contact: susansheppard@btconnect.com tel: 07846 453970

It’s a dog’s life!

Many of us are dog owners and enjoy the loyalty and companionship that dogs can bring.

However, it is important to realise that being a dog owner is a big responsibility.

You need to think very carefully about what it involves before you get a dog.

After all, you need to look after your dog’s welfare without causing a nuisance to your neighbours and the wider community.

Here are some useful tips: •

• • •

Pictured are members of the Cath Cobb Environmental Group working with Cardiff Conservation Volunteers at their Hendre lake site cutting back the overgrown hedging and trees in February 2013 6

• •

Dogs need regular exercise. Did you know that one of the main causes of barking and discomfort in dogs is lack of exercise?

Don’t forget to scoop the poop when you walk your dog!

If you go away for a day or longer make sure you get someone to look after your dog.

Make sure your dog wears a collar and identity tag.

Keep your dog on a lead in public areas, as some people are very frightened of dogs.

It is an offence to allow your dog to be dangerously out of control.

• It’s a good idea to get your dog micro-chipped, so that it can be easily identified.

Certain types of dogs fall under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) and your Housing Association will not let you keep these types of dogs in your home: • • • •

Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentinio Fila Braziliero

You may also need permission from your Housing Association to keep a dog.

Please check with your Housing Officer.

The Dog Trust has a range of useful information regarding dog ownership:Phone: 0207 837 0006 Website: www.dogstrust.org.uk

7

St Mellons Together | March 2013

St Mellons Weekly Surgeries Weekly drop-in surgeries for residents are held in Rainbow House, Newent Road, St Mellons, Cardiff: Wales & West Housing residents Every Wednesday 11am – 1pm for Housing Officer (all queries)

Linc-Cymru HA residents Every Tuesday 10am - 12pm Housing Officer 10 - 11am for Maintenance Officer

Hafod also hold weekly surgeries at their Offices at 76 Heol Maes Eirwg: • Mondays 9am – 12.30pm - Benefit Advice • Wednesdays 9am – 12.30pm - Money Advice • Fridays 9am – 12.30pm - Rental Officer available

We can provide advice and assistance on:

• • • • •

Tenancy Support Repair Queries Transfer advice Mutual Exchanges Antisocial behaviour

• Rent & Housing Benefit queries • Welfare Benefit changes • Saving money for a rainy day • Credit Unions & Money Line Cymru • Other Housing issues

If you are unable to attend these surgeries and require an appointment, please contact your Housing Officer to arrange a mutually convenient time and date for a home visit.

8