Twyncarmel news spring 2015

Twyncarmel News

Spring 2015

Wales & West Housing

50th Anniversary

Join the party!

Apply for a 50th anniversary grant to host a celebration with other WWH residents in your scheme or community!

Throughout 2015, Wales & West Housing is celebrating its 50th anniversary – and we would love residents to celebrate this special year with us.

So, we have introduced a grant for residents to host a WWH 50th anniversary party at your scheme or in your community.

From a tea party in a communal lounge, to a disco in your local community hall or even a BBQ in the scheme gardens, we’ll be able to provide residents with a party pack and up to £250 so you and your fellow WWH residents can celebrate with us.

If you are interested in holding an event on Twyncarmel, wold like to find out more and apply for a grant on behalf of your scheme or community, simply speak to Meryl Thomas your housing officer on 07929 201459, or call our Customer Service Centre on 0800 052 2526.

New development latest Some of you may be wondering why, when we have Planning Permission to go ahead with the development of 2 x 1 bed disabled bungalows and 8 x 1 bed flats on the old flats field , nothing has happened yet.

Merthyr Tydfil Council Planning department had wanted us to develop along the road opposite numbers 121 to 126. However our latest site investigations have thrown up some issues with this.

Whilst they could be overcome, it isn’t possible to do this within the timescale we had to spend the grant monies available.

The development has been put on hold for the moment. Should funding become available again in the future, we will explore the various options at that time.

Twyncarmel Newsletter | Spring 2015

Making a difference: we’re here to help As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we have also introduced our new Making a Difference to Your Future grant. We have allocated £50,000 to help you take part in educational, training and employment opportunities throughout 2015.

For more information about our Making a Difference to Your Future grant, contact Kristin Vaughan (Employment and Enterprise Coach) at kristin. vaughan@wwha.co.uk or call Kristin on 0800 052 2526.

Individual residents can apply for a grant to overcome any barriers that have been stopping them from getting into work, college or training.

There is no set limit on the amount you can apply for and each application will be considered on an individual basis. The amount awarded will be what you need to help you make an opportunity into a reality.

This could include paying for specialist training; suitable clothing for job interviews or purchasing equipment to help you start your business.

Resident Cheryl Litchfield-Payne received a Making a Difference to Your Future grant to help her purchase vital machinery for her clock making business

Turn over to page 4 to read Cheryl’s story...

Feeling the pinch? There’s help at hand...

In Cyfarthfa Ward from April to December 2014, 70 vouchers for emergency food were received by Merthyr Cynon Foodbank which helped feed 193 people.

• 60 people with various problems including identifying and claiming additional benefits, supporting appeals, budgeting advice and writing to debtors

In addition, WWH are helping around 30 households a month by delivering food hampers throughout Merthyr Tydfil, which are kindly donated by Kings Church in Newport.

And that’s not all, as budgeting advice she has given has enabled 30 people to make a rent payment agreement and keep to it. These payments include reducing any arrears.

Sharon Jones, WWH’s Tenancy Support Officer, has also helped many residents in need:

Think you could use Sharon’s help?

• 39 people obtained Discretionary Housing Payment • • 25 people obtained white goods under Save the Children Eat, Sleep, Learn, Play scheme • • 21 people moved to smaller properties as a result of the bedroom tax Page 2| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

Call her today on 07826 526 511 to make an appointment. We can’t guarantee she can help with all of your problems, but sometimes just talking a problem over can help. You can also ring our customer service centre on 0800 052 2526.

Twyncarmel Newsletter |Spring 2015

Activities for young people We consulted with 23 young people aged between 6 and 16 years old on what types of facilities they wanted. They told us: • 23 want the kick-a-bout improved and 14 would then use it more often • 15 want it left where it is and 8 would like it moved to the field Asked what other facilities they wanted on the old flats field site: • 12 said a rugby pitch • 10 said a small bike track • 8 said a football pitch Other things requested included: • 8 wanted the play areas improved/restored • 1 each wanted a skate park, hopscotch and other games painted on paving behind kick-a-bout area, a new shop at the top end of the estate and somewhere to ride a scooter/motor bike.

Progress to date Ward Councillors have agreed to fund half the cost of improving the kick-about and WWH will pay the other half and maintain the area afterwards.

We are investigating the possibility of creating a joint football/rugby pitch on the old flats field area and a small dirt bike track.

When the weather improves, a couple of hopscotch ‘courts’ will be painted on the paving slabs behind the kick-about area with help from Cambria Maintenance Services.

What you wanted

What we are doing

• 10 people wanted a safe area for children

We are looking at funding options to improve the kicka-bout area and field to improve play opportunities.

to play and more activities and facilities for children.

•

•

There is currently a youth club on the estate run by Gellideg Foundation Group. It meets every Monday night for 8 to 11 year olds and every Thursday night for those aged 11+.

Every Tuesday morning there is a parent and toddler group.

In addition we have met with Merthyr Tydfil Council’s Sports Development Officer, who has agreed to provide FREE training for coaches to work with children and young people to deliver additional activities.

If you would like to volunteer to do the training and run sessions with local children and young people contact Alison Chaplin on 079 2920 1429 or 0800 052 2526.

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

Twyncarmel Newsletter | Spring 2015

Our Employment Team spoke to 34 Twyncarmel residents about what you wanted. They told us: What you wanted • 6 people needed assistance with getting furniture and white goods • 6 people wanted a job (that will pay the bills and fit in with caring responsibilities) • 5 people wanted training/work experience to help them get a job and a 6th person also needed assistance to increase their working hours.

What we are doing • We do occasionally have furniture and white goods donated to us which we give to residents in need. Our Employment Team is looking at how we can do this more effectively to meet the growing demand.

• Our Employment Team is working on helping people into employment and finding work experience.

Contact Kristin Vaughan on 0800 052 2526 or email contactus@wwha.co.uk if you are interested in these initiatives.

Cheryl’s story Cheryl has been a resident of Twyncarmel for many years and has taught classes locally as an adult community tutor.

team that she was looking into setting up her business making clocks and other craft items in the new year.

A keen arts and craft person, she decided to turn her hobby into a business after her teaching hours were cut in November 2014 due to funding.

One of the Community Enterprise Team’s objectives is to help residents into employment or self-employment by offering support and funding (where possible) through our Making a Difference to your Future grant.

When the Community Enterprise Team knocked on her door as part of their consultation in December, one of the things they discussed was Cheryl’s current employment status. Cheryl then told the

The team met with Cheryl and discussed what tools she would need to help her start up. Wales & West Housing, through their 50th anniversary grant, then purchased the tools and Cheryl is now using them to make her bespoke items. We also supported her by arranging an appointment with Taste of Enterprise to discuss a business plan, available training and registering as selfemployed.

We wish Cheryl every success with her new venture!

Page 4| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

Twyncarmel Newsletter |Spring 2015

Get it Together Award

Twyncarmel youngsters recognised for Best Delivery of the Project The Get it Together project was a year long initiative involving young people aged 13 to 23. Funded by Paul Hamblyn Foundation, WWH worked with young people from Twyncarmel, Gellideg Foundation Group youth club at The Fact Shop and Treharris Boys and Girls Club. Liam Evans led the team on Twyncarmel that won the Skills Award at a celebration evening held to mark the end of the project.

All Change at Keir Hardie University Health Park Practice 3 Drs BU Jayadev & Dr A Jayadev retired from Practice 3, Keir Hardie University Health Park at the end of March . The Practice will continue with Dr Velupillai, Dr Strinati and Dr Roper taking over.

If you are a Patient at Practice 3 and you need to see a doctor, nothing will change. You will still contact Practice 3 for an appointment and one of the new doctors will see you.

Page 5| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

Twyncarmel Newsletter | Spring 2015

Half Term Litter Pick and activities with Cat Protection The rain, sleet and snow held off long enough for the litter pick during February half term to take place.

This time, we collected 4 black bags of rubbish from the old flats site – much less than usual but that may be down to the poor weather we have had.

Charley, Tasha and Owain

Following the litter pick, we went back to The Fact Shop for refreshments. Sarah Davies from Cat Protection held fun session on responsible cat ownership, including cat needs and body language.

The children and young people showed they had an impressive knowledge of the subject.

Everyone went home with goody bags including activity books (ideal for the weather), colouring pencils and a felt cat they had personally decorated.

Owain and Sara

Charley with her cat

Alex with her cat

Page 6| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

Tasha with her cat

Twyncarmel Newsletter |Spring 2015

Twyncarmel Facebook page When we completed our survey on how you wanted to be kept informed, the majority of you said you’d like to have a Newsletter. However, 9 people (13%) said they would like to communicate via Facebook. Since that time, we have found more people are contacting us via the internet and smart phones.

So in response to the growing demand we will be launching a Twyncarmel Facebook page shortly, which will allow us to keep you informed as things happen and allow you to let us know what you think.

But don’t worry, the quarterly newsletter will still be coming through your doors.

Let us know the type of items you’d like to see on this page and we will see what we can do.

Merthyr Council is changing the way it recycles Whilst around 75% of household waste could be recycled, the Council is currently only collecting around 48.2% from homes in the County Borough.

The target of 52% will increase to 58% by 2016 and the Council will be fined for not meeting the target.

That will lead to increased Council Tax demands and reduced services at a time when budgets are already under pressure.

To encourage more recycling the Council is reducing the size of the wheelie bins (non-recycled waste) to 140 litres and will not take any black bags by the side of the bin or empty the bin if the lid cannot be closed. As now it will be collected fortnightly. Any residents who have additional waste through nappies, incontinence waste or very large families can apply for a larger bin but this will still be collected fortnightly.

Waste Item

Cans, plastics (bottles and tubs), paper, card, drink cartons, glass (bottles and jars)

Garden Waste

Food Waste

How can I recycle?

When is it collected?

Use the GREEN Box

Weekly from your kerbside

Use the GREEN Bag

Weekly from your kerbside

Use the Blue bin

Weekly from your kerbside

Any rubbish that is fly-tipped or isn’t collected by the Council, will be disposed of by ourselves. The cost will be passed onto all residents via increased service charges unless the culprits can be identified.

If you need more help or information Contact Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council on phone 01685 725138 or email wasteservices@merthyr.gov.uk or online at www.recycleformerthyr.co.uk

So, please play your part – recycle responsibly and report anyone you see fly tipping Page 7| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

Twyncarmel Newsletter | Spring 2015

New reminder system should improve waiting times for hospital appointments Cwm Taf University Health Board is launching a free appointment reminder service using text and voice messages to help reduce the number of patients who do not attend their hospital appointments.

By providing a FREE message either by text to mobile phones or with a voice call to home phones 7 days and then 24 hours before, people will be reminded of the time and date of their booked appointment.

It will give patients who do not need the appointment, or are unable to attend, the opportunity to cancel or re-arrange the appointment.

Cwm Taf University Health Board hopes this will reduce the number of appointments where no one turns up by 30%. With some 72,000 appointments missed last year, a 30% reduction would lead to around 21,000 appointments which could be given to someone else.

The first phase of the service will be introduced in Outpatients and will be rolled out to other departments throughout the year.

So please, if you change your phone number, let your Doctor and the hospital know if you are waiting for an appointment.

Tell us your views We hope you have found this newsletter useful! If there is anything in particular you’d like us to look at in the next edition please let us know!

Please use this space to give us your comments - you can then drop them off at The Fact Shop - or email your comments to alison.chaplin@wwha.co.uk.

And don’t forget - if you want us to feed back to you directly you will need to enter your name and contact details.

Contact Alison Chaplin, Community Development Project Officer 07929 201429 alison.chaplin@wwha.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @wwha Check out our website: www.wwha.co.uk Prosimy skontaktować się z nami, jeśli chce Pan(i) uzyskać ten biuletyn w języku polskim.

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Page 8| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha