St mellons together newsletter march 2012

March 2012

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

Issue 9

The Compact gets Juggling!

The Community Life sub-group organised a fun day at Meadowlane Primary School during February half term, with 23 children and their parents/carers attending.

The children had lots of fun doing circus skills, face-painting, and arts and crafts with staff from Wales & West and Hafod Housing, Cardiff Play Services (the Pod) and Play Aloud.

If you would like to attend or help us with future events and maybe join the Community Life sub-group, contact either Herman (pictured above right) on 0800 052 2526 or Pearl on 07765 406252.

St Mellons Together - March 2012

Money tight?

DOOR STEP LENDERS – WHAT A RIP OFF! We all need help with unexpected bills, especially this time of year.

Why not call Moneyline Cymru to find out more about our low cost affordable loans?

We could save you pounds compared to door step lenders. Moneyline Cymru is approved by your housing association so you know you’ll get a good deal.

• Moneyline Cymru won “Responsible lender of the year 2011”.

• Moneyline Cymru has been set up with the express purpose of providing more affordable loans to those on low incomes or benefits.

• We have been able to reduce the cost of loans for the people who need it most.

“A doorstep lender usually charges around £246 in interest on a £300 loan over 52 weeks. With Moneyline Cymru, it’s just £127* making you a saving of over £119! The message is clear - shop around first.

Picking up the phone and calling Moneyline Cymru could save you hundreds of pounds.

Your local office:Moneyline Cymru 184 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9NE Tel 029 2034 4460 2

St Mellons Together - March 2012

What is the St Mellons Compact?

The St Mellons Compact is all about the three social landlords - Hafod, Linc-Cymru and Wales & West Housing Associations - working with you, our tenants and residents, to make St Mellons a better place for you to live.

We achieve this through our six subgroups, which each look at one of the main service areas.

What do our Compact subgroups do?

Community Life Works to support events and activities to bring the community together.

Environment / Estate Management Works to improve the local environment in St Mellons as well as the appearance of our estates.

Anti Social Behaviour Works to give you more information on how you can report anti social behaviour to us, how we can help and how we can work together to reduce ASB in St Mellons.

Resident Participation Asks your views so that the other sub-groups know what you want them to do.

Financial Inclusion Works to tell you about ways to make the most of your money.

Home Services Works to give you information on how we repair and manage your home. We will inform you about our landlord services and the level of service you can expect from us.

All our sub-group meetings are open to anyone living in St Mellons so if you would like to: • • • •

find out more come to a meeting help with an event/activity give your ideas

please call for a chat or email us.

HOW TO CONTACT US Wales & West Housing Association 0800 052 2526 info@wwha.co.uk Hafod Housing Association 029 2067 5800 enquiries@hafod.org.uk Linc-Cymru Housing Association 0800 072 0966 info@linc-cymru.co.uk

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

Sub-Group Round Up Community Life

There were three litter picks carried out in St Mellons led by Keep Wales Tidy and supported by the Compact. Fly tipping in Wern Gethin lane is an on-going problem and we will continue to tackle this issue in conjunction with Cardiff Council.

We are working with Communities First and Cardiff Play Services to carry out a makeover of the Play Pod at Heol Maes Eirwg.

We commissioned Star RFC once again deliver sessions of Multi Sports activities over the half-term and 40 young people attended.

Environment and Estate Management

We have been consulting residents and local contractors to see whether it is feasible to run a garden service in St Mellons, such as grass cutting and trimming hedges, that is both affordable and practical.

We are also looking at the possibility of developing a community garden project to grow vegetables for local people and we need volunteers to form a local gardening group to take this forward.

If you are interested in taking part, please contact Chris Walton at Wales & West Housing for further information on 0800 052 2526

Resident Participation

We’ve been working to find out what residents want to do to make St Mellons a better place to live.

Anti Social Behaviour

The Police have reported that there has been an increase in burglaries from properties and sheds in St Mellons.

Don’t become a victim! Please report any suspicious activity to the Police on telephone no 101. If you would like advice on how to keep your possessions safe speak to your local police team, PC Alex Reed on 07584 883350 or PCSO Rob Parry on 07805 301322 or going online at ourbobby.com

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We have been talking to the St Mellons 100 group to find out how they want to get involved.

We have been asking you questions about St Mellons to help all our subgroups to focus on what you want us to improve.

If you would like to find out more about any of the sub-groups or to become a member of St Mellons 100 please contact Claire Hammond at WWHA on 0800 052 2526.

St Mellons Together - March 2012

Financial Inclusion

Last year we worked hard with Moneyline Cymru and Cardiff and Vale Credit Union to show you the benefits of saving and borrowing for them compared with the price you pay for borrowing from doorstep money lenders. More and more people are turning away from high interest lenders. In St Mellons more than 52 Moneyline Cymru loans have been agreed and lots more people have joined the credit union.

So what’s next?

Working in partnership with Moneyline Cymru and Cardiff and Vale Credit Union this year we’re going to promote the Co-op electrical scheme as a sound way of getting fair priced goods. We’re also going to make sure new residents know about the scheme to avoid getting hit by high interest loans to buy what they need when moving into their new home.

Home Services

We’ve been looking at ways we can find out what tenants and residents think about the repair services we offer so that we can explore alternative ways to provide your repairs.

We will also keep you informed and consult you on any planned works due to take place in St Mellons.

We’d love to hear from you, so if you have any ideas on how we can improve our repairs service, please contact Carol Price at Linc-Cymru on 0800 072 0966.

Services at The Hub Did you know that the following services are also available at The Hub (see page 10 for further details): CAB 4 Cardiff If you need advice in person: Tuesday & Friday 10 am – 1pm If you need advice over the phone: Adviceline Cymru 08444 77 20 20 Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm SPEAKEASY - give free legal advice and representation. We:

• Deliver free, high quality legal • • • • • •

advice on debt and welfare benefits Act on behalf of clients, dealing with creditors, negotiating payment of loans Help clients manage their finances better Challenge unfair decisions made by the DWP and local authorities Provide benefit checks to ensure clients are claiming all appropriate benefits Represent clients in court and at tribunals Defend possession proceedings

We are at The Hub every Wednesday - For an appointment, please call 029 2045 3111

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

How will your street celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

Get in there for Star RFC! Over February half term, forty local children attended the Star RFC multi sports programme.

Children aged 7 to 11 years took part in a range of sports activities such as baseball, football, tag rugby and catch, and all the children were presented with certificates.

On Tuesday 6th June the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee (60 years of being Queen). To help you and your neighbours celebrate this occasion we’re holding 2 workshops in the Easter holidays. You can learn how to run your own Jubilee party, or Big Jubilee Lunch, make bunting and you’ll even be given a party pack for your very own street party, subject to availability.

The Jubilee workshops will be held at the following venues and dates (weather permitting): • Thursday 12th April 1pm @ the Trainpark, Coleford Drive • Thursday 19th April 10am @ St Mellons Play Pod, Heol Maes Eirwg The workshops are open to all tenants and residents of St Mellons of all ages.

If you have grandchildren visiting, why not bring them along too.

If you’d like further information on the Jubilee workshops please contact Pearl at Hafod Housing.

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This event was sponsored by Safer Capital/Cardiff East Neighbourhood Management Group and the St Mellons Compact. This programme offers children the opportunity to meet new friends and try new sports under the supervision of qualified coaches. The February Half term programme was also supported by the Play Aloud workers based in St Mellons.

St Mellons Together - March 2012

Dr Bike is a hit in St Mellons The Dr Bike project was held over the summer 2011 and February half term this year.

Over the 26 sessions, more than 100 bikes were repaired and ensured that young people were safe on the roads.

This year young people were given the opportunity to visit Bryn Bach Park for a bike ride with Anita and Tim, youth workers in St Mellons Community Education Centre and two ride leaders from Cycle Training Wales (Dr Bike).

BMX track in the park.

The five young people taking part gained their level 1 Mountain Bike skills with Cycle Training Wales during the day. All the young people enjoyed the experience and have asked for more cycling trips. One commented “I really enjoyed the day and it was nice to be out with my friends” Dr Bike is run in partnership with the St Mellons Compact, the Youth Service, Communities First and Cycle Training Wales.

The weather was beautiful but very cold and the lake had frozen over.

Bryn Bach Park supplied mountain bikes for the ride over the disused quarry track in the morning, then in the afternoon BMX bikes were supplied for use on the International

Get on your bike this summer Are you a Young Person aged 11-14 years of age? Do you already ride a bike? Or are you interested in taking up cycling to get about or for fun and fitness?

St Mellons Bike Club allows you to find out more about safe cycling routes, bike maintenance, riding techniques and much more. You’ll also be able to get involved in a number of events including our planned Olympic Cycling Fun Day which will take place this summer.

Our Bike Club will run fortnightly on Tuesdays between 4.00 – 6.00 p.m. at St Mellons Community Education Centre. Sounds interesting? Then why not pop along or call the Community Education Centre on 02920 778667. Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike - we may be able to help.

PS. If you have an unwanted bike and want it re-cycled, why not drop it off at the centre? Please call in advance.

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

Linc-Cymru working to improve communal areas and gullies in St Mellons

Linc-Cymru is currently considering how some of the communal patches of land in St Mellons can be improved.

Pictured are Linc-Cymru staff and Board members looking at an area in Coleford Drive which, along with others nearby, has been identified as needing improvement and the best way to do this is currently being considered.

Linc-Cymru is also hoping to improve access to gullies so that they can be better maintained. New padlocks are on order, which our contractors will have keys for and tenants will also be given a key for these padlocks if

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their garden backs on to the gully concerned.

Should you have any questions or queries regarding this, please contact: Justine Harlow, Housing Officer for St Mellons at Linc-Cymru, 387 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1GG or email justine.harlow@linc-cymru. co.uk or freephone 0800 072 0966 (or 0300 123 1134 if you are calling from a mobile as this number is charged at the standard rate).

St Mellons Together - March 2012

FIVE reasons to

save with your local credit union 1 A safety net – for the payments you had not planned for

4 Access to the best prices

Looking for a new washing machine, TV, Laptop or Games console?

The Credit Union has a scheme running with Co-op Electrical to help our members access the most competitive prices on white goods and electricals.

How many times have you met with an unexpected bill? Or the car needs new tyres? Or the children want to go on a school trip? We often don’t have the extra money hanging around so making a commitment to put a small amount away each week or each month will make things easier when you have a money emergency.

2 Your savings can add up

5 Access to affordable credit

Just look how much saving a small amount every week, can add up: • Save just £2 per week = £104 saved over the year • Save just £5 per week = £260 saved over the year • Save just £10 per week = £520 saved over the year 3 You can have savings withdrawals paid onto a Prepaid Debit card

Cardiff & Vale Credit Union now offers a prepaid VISA debit card and savings can be loaded onto the card, for you to spend online or in shops. This avoids the need for cash and allows members to budget more effectively.

Members who save with the Credit Union can apply for our low cost loans! Our maximum rate on loans is just 26.8% APR.

For more information, see our website: www.cardiffcu.com, call us on 029 2087 2373 or email us on ccu@cardiffcu.com.

Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. FSA FRN 213467

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

St Mellons weekly drop-in surgeries Rainbow House, Newent Road, St Mellons, Cardiff Linc-Cymru residents Wales & West residents Every Tuesday Every Wednesday 10-12 noon for 11am – 1pm Housing Officer Justine Harlow Housing Officers 10-11 am for Maintenance Officer Alyson Robinson and Carole Williams Alison Hayes (all queries)

We can provide advice and assistance on: • • • • • • • • • • •

Anti social behaviour Tenancy support Mutual exchanges Difficulty managing to pay rent and other bills Rent enquires Saving money for a rainy day Repair enquiries Low interest loans Transfer advice St Mellons Compact Other housing issues If you’re unable to attend these surgeries and require an early morning or evening appointment, please contact your Housing Officer to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

Name the group to win a £25 voucher

WIN!

£25 voucher

Have you heard of St Mellons 100?

It needs a new name. St Mellons 100 is our list of people who have said that they are happy to give us their views or get involved in activities in St Mellons.

Some people have said the name ‘St Mellons 100’ doesn’t really say what the group does, so here’s your chance to give the group a name that fits and win yourself a £25 Tesco voucher.

Simply fill in the blank to be in with a chance to win!

St Mellons Compact ...............................

You can tell us your idea by: • • • •

phone 0800 052 2526 text 07766 832692 email claire.hammond@wwha.co.uk post Claire Hammond, Wales & West Housing Association, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD

Please remember to include your name, address and contact telephone number and reply by no later than 23rd April 2012. Good Luck!

Why not tell us what you think...

Our Resident Participation sub-group have also been asking St Mellons 100 members, and people who attended our funday, some questions about St Mellons, such as: • Would it help if you could save for things that crop up like new tyres / birthdays / school trips?

If you would like to tell us your answers to any of these questions, or want to tell us something else that you think is important, please get in touch by one of the methods listed above. We’d love to hear from you!

• Would you pay for a grass cutting service?

• What do you think about our repairs services?

• Would you like to work together to grow organic fruit and veg?

• Do you feel safe in your home / out and about in St Mellons?

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Claire Hammond, Wales & West’s Resident Participation Strategy Officer talking to a St Mellons’ resident at the half term funday