Homes & People April/May 2015

homes & people Bringing you all the news that matters to you

April/May 2015

In this issue Universal Credit checklist See page 5

April

27 Digital Champions See page 9 See pages 6-7

You’ve got the Power latest See page 10 the you’ve got

power

YHN Housing Services YHN Housing Services @ Byker

0191 278 1555

YHN Housing Services @ East End

0191 278 1566

YHN Housing Services @ Kenton

0191 277 4360

YHN Housing Services @ Outer West

0191 277 7940

YHN Housing Services @ Walker

0191 278 8455

YHN Housing Services @ West End

0191 277 1484

Other numbers Adaptations

0191 278 3842

Housing Options Centre

0191 277 2020

0191 278 8633 †dvb K‡i Avcwb GKwU wjwLZ Abyev‡`i Rb¨ ej‡Z cv‡ib| Customer Involvement 0191 278 8721dvwb©Pvi Leasehold 0191 278Rb¨ 7725 GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvg wbDK¨vmjKvDw݇ji mvwf©m mg‡Ü hviv †Ubv›U‡`i Ni evox mvRv‡Z mvnv‡h¨i ewcastle Furniture dvwb©Pvi mieivn K‡i| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“bervice Community Care Alarm Service 0191 278 8699 Newcastle Furniture 0191 278 8633 Service (NFS) 278 1888 GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi †i›U 0191 GKvD›U 278 (fvovi wnmve wbKvm) m¤^‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev 0191 Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq ent Envirocall 7878 cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

HASBET (Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Enforcement Team)

epairs

0191 278 8740

Repairs Centre and Gas Servicing

0191 278 7878

GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi Ni evox †givgZ Ki‡Z PvIqv m¤^‡Ü|GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq

Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b0191277 278 8633 Housing Advice Centre 0191 1711

Young People’s Service

0191 277 1190

Rent ight to Buy

这是有关您的租金账户的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电0191 278 fvlvq GB Z_¨ nj †Ubv›U‡`i KvDw݇ji Ni evox †Kbvi AwaKvi m¤^‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb 8600 索取。 cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633 Repairs 这是有关要求维修您的住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电0191 Rent 這是關於您的租金賬戶的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 278 GB Z_¨ njthe wbDKvm¨vj KvDw݇ji †Ubv›U wnmv‡e Avcbvi `vq and `vwqZ¡ m¤^‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw`want <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb enancy This is ‘Homestéléphoner & People’ newsletter for Newcastle council tenants leaseholders.

If you this0191 information in 278 索取。 aunq 0191 278GB 8600 obtenir traduction écrite. fvlvq8600 cÖ‡qvRb Zvn‡j bv¤^vpour ‡i †dvb Ki“b-une 0191 278 8633 8600 索取。 your own language we will arrange for an interpreter to help you on 0191 278 8600.

This information is also available 这是有关租客有权购买他们的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致 Right to Buy GB Z_¨ nj Avgv‡`i †jwUs mvwf©m( fvov welqK) m¤^‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ ‡qvRb nq CH Repairs 這是關於如何要求維修您住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 in easy read, large print, Braille and audio tape. We can also arrange for you to see a British Sign Language interpreter. 电0191 索取。 Zvn‡j GB278 bv¤^8600 v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633 278 8600 索取。 这是有关您作为纽卡斯尔市政租客所需要承担的责任的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语 Tenancy informations concernent le service « mobilier de Your Homes qui fournit du mobilier Newcastle Furniture GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj mg‡Ü| Ges Avgiv » wKfv‡e `vwqZ¡ cvjb Newcastle, KiwQ †m mg‡Ü| BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj, HN + Ces Rightgeneral/Homes to Buy 這是關於租客有權購買他們的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致 言版本，请致电0191 8600 索取。 dans leur logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces service aux locataires les278 aider s’installer wbDK¨vmj wmwU pour KvDw݇ji c‡¶ àKvDw݇ji Ni evox e¨e¯’vcbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb eople 電 0191 278 8600 索取。ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8600.

YCH 这是有关我们的出租服务的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电0191 278 informations 0191 278 8600 fvlvq cÖ‡qvRben nqfrançais Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 8633 8600 索取。 Tenancy 這是關於您作為紐卡素市政府租客所需要承擔的責任的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語 Rent Ces informations concernent votre loyer. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou 这是有关代表纽卡斯尔市政府（Newcastle Your Homes Newcastle YHN general / Homes + dans 言版本，請致電 0191 278 8600 索取。 une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191City 278Council）负责管理市政房屋的 8600.

People （您的纽卡斯尔住房）组织的信息，内容解释了我们是如何运作。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其 Ces informations concernent les demandes de travaux pour votre logement. Si vous avez besoin de Repairs YCH

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YHN generalTenancy / Homes + Repairs People

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這是關於我們的出租服務的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278 它语言版本，请致电0191 278 ces informations en français ou 8600 dans 索取。 une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8600.

8600 索取。 Ces informations concernent les droits des locataires relatifs à l’acquisition de leur logement social. 這是關於 Your Homes Newcastle（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府 Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 （Newcastle 278 8600. City Council）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它 語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8600 索取。 @ói@óäb îŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NóäbmóØòìíäb‚@ñòìó䆋ÙØbš@üi@ðîŒaí‚a†@ðmóïäüš@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ Ces informations concernent vos responsabilités en tant que locataire de la municipalité de Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 0191 278 8633 @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ Si vous de‫آن‬ ces informations en‫در‬français dans une‫درﺑﺎره‬ autre‫اﻃﻼﻋﺎت‬ langue, ،Newcastle. ‫ﺷﻬﺮدارى ﻧﻴﻮﻛﺎﺳﻞ‬ ‫از ﺳﻮى‬avez ‫ﺳﺎزﻣﺎن‬besoin ‫ اﻳﻦ‬.‫اﺳﺖ‬ ‫ﻋﻤﻠﻜﺮد‬ ‫ﻧﯿﻮﮐﺎﺳﻞ« و‬ ‫ﻫﺎى ﺷﻤﺎ‬ou ‫ﺧﺎﻧﻪ‬ » ‫ﺳﺎزﻣﺎن‬ ‫اﻳﻦ‬ téléphonez au :‫ﻫﺎى‬ 0191 278 8600. @ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NòŠb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@î ‹Ø@üi@çbåï“å–‹Ø@Àbà@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ ‫ﺗﻠﻔﻦ‬ ‫ﺷﻤﺎره‬ ‫ﺑﺎ‬ ‫دﻳﮕﺮ‬ ‫زﺑﺎن‬ ‫ﻳﺎ‬ ‫ﻓﺎرﺳﻰ‬ ‫زﺑﺎن‬ ‫ﺑﻪ‬ ‫اﻃﻼﻋﺎت‬ ‫اﻳﻦ‬ ‫ﺑﻪ‬ ‫ﻧﻴﺎز‬ ‫ﺻﻮرت‬ ‫در‬ .‫دارد‬ ‫ﻋﻬﺪه‬ ‫ﺑﻪ‬ ‫را‬ ‫دوﻟﺘﻰ‬ ‫ﻫﺎى‬ ‫ﺧﺎﻧﻪ‬ ‫اداره‬ ‫ﻣﺴﺌﻮﻟﻴﺖ‬ <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8600.

Ces informations concernent notre service location. @óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 278 8633de .‫ﺑﮕﻴﺮﻳﺪ‬ ‫ﺗﻤﺎس‬ ٠١٩١٢٧٨٨۶٣٣ Esta informação refere-se à sua0191 renda.

Se @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra 0191 278 8600 français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8600. @m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @N óîa‡Ý—bØüïä@óÜ@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðÙ—åï“å–‹Ø@íØòì@òí—÷@ðäbØóïmóîb‹qŠói@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8600.

Ces informations concernent Your Homes Newcastleem : qui chargé gérer les logements sociaux Esta informação refere-se ao8633 pedido de reparações suaest casa.

Se de precisar desta informação Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí— q@0191 278 @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ au nom de la municipalité de Newcastle et comment nous procédons.

Si vous avez besoin de ces em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8600. @Šóè@ bî@ ñ†ŠíØ@ ðäbàŒ@ ói@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷@ m‹ Šòì@ óÜ@ çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @ Nóîóá—÷@ ð–‹Ø@ ðäbØómóà‚@ ói@ pòŠbió@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷ Esta informação refere-se direito os langue, inquilinos têm de comprar a sua social. Se informations en français ouao dans uneque autre téléphonez au : 0191 278habitação 8600.

Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 278 8633@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ precisar desta informação em <português> ou0191 noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8600. @òìóÝ—bØüïä@ñŠb’@ñaŠü’@çóîý@óÜ@óØ@óîóØó䆋؊bØ@ðmóïäüš@ì@ Your Homes Newcastle @ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ Esta informação refere-se às suas responsabilidades como inquilino social em Newcastle. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8600. @ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NpbÙi@ðmóîaŠóiòí–Šói@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@óØ@òìaŠ‡—q@ñòìó÷@ðØŠó÷ idioma, llame al refere-se 0191 278 8600.

Esta informação ao serviço0191 de 278 arrendamento.

Se precisar desta informação em Nç‹ i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 8633@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ 8600 Ésta es información sobre cómo pedir quepara se realicen reparaciones en su casa. Si necesita esta <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar o 0191 278 8600.

Esta informação refere-se a organização información en español oà enYour otroHomes idioma,Newcastle, llame al 0191 278 8600. responsável pela gestão da habitação social em nome e a anossa situação actual. municipal.

Se precisarSidesta Ésta es información sobredo losMunicípio derechosde deNewcastle, los inquilinos comprar su vivienda necesita informação em <português> noutra para278 o 0191 278 8600. esta información en españolou o en otro língua, idioma,queira llame ligar al 0191 8600.

Ésta es información sobre sus responsabilidades como inquilino municipal de Newcastle. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8600. Ésta es información sobre 0191 278nuestro 8600. servicio de adjudicación. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8600. Ésta es información sobre Your Homes de Newcastle, que es la responsable de gestionar las viviendas municipales en nombre del Ayuntamiento de Newcastle, y sobre nuestra manera de hacerlo. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8600.

Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 5076256.

Registered office: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PR. A company controlled by Newcastle City Council.

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Designed by: barkingdog design and layout. Printed by: Mosaic Print Management Plc

Contents

homes & people Page 3 the news Bringing you all

that matters to

2015 January/February

you

CE In this issue AN ??????

OW ?????

LL ED A See page ?? ’ AT EL

WO R DIT RE XC TA

JOBSE INCO EKER ME S R

NG KI

D IL CH

DIT RE XC TA

T

See page ??

Page 5

• Universal Credit checklist

Page 6-7

• Recognising Community Spirit in Newcastle

Page 8

• YHN property page

Page 9

• Tenants are Digital Champions!

• Appy days • Local offers 2015!

Page 9

• Own Your Own • You’ve got the Power latest

Page 11

• £25 prize wordsearch

Page 12

• Training and events

PPORT SU

I

E M CO N

• Hit the gold standard • Are you handy around the house?

????????

SING BENE HOU FI

A ED EMPLO E RELAT W NCE YMEN WA OM ALLOWA T INC PPORT SU

Page 4

• Welcome

you’ve got the

power

Round 2

Read previous editions online: www.yhn.org.uk/tenancy_services/homes_people

Welcome to the latest edition of Homes & People. This time we’ve focused on ‘Community Spirit’ as our theme.

When we were writing this newsletter, it was clear that not only do the people living in our homes show real community spirit towards their neighbours every day, but that we offer lots of ways for our customers to get involved that help to build communities and help make positive improvements for others.

Our recent Community Spirit Awards are a great example of the tremendous work some of our tenants do in their community – read more about the awards on pages 6 and 7. You can also read about the volunteer scheme that our Young People’s Service is looking to set up as well as regular items such as our prize

wordsearch and our jobs, training and events page.

It’s not just homes that make neighbourhoods but the people who live in them. That’s why we’re proud to have such thriving communities across the estates we manage. We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Homes & People and maybe it’ll inspire you to do something great for your community!

Olivia Grant Board Chair, Your Homes Newcastle

page 3

Are you handy around the house?

Our Young People’s Service is looking to launch a new volunteer service and is appealing to those of you who are DIY savvy!

Hit the gold standard Have you ever walked down your street and noticed things you wish were kept better, were cleaner or even replaced? Then why not join our group of tenant inspectors?

Each year our trained inspectors carry out estate inspections with our Environmental Services team and rate each estate as Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on its condition. They look at things such as grassed areas, fly tipping, graffiti and signage. They then report back to the Environmental Services team with their suggestions for improvement, which helps to form an action plan for the team to carry out.

If you are good with grout, wonderful at wallpapering or practical with plumbing and have some spare time, we’d love you to get in touch with us.

We need a group of tenants who would like to volunteer to help young tenants trying to set up home for the first time who have no friends or family to support them.

Not only will you be providing valuable help to the young people but you’ll also have the chance to improve your own skills at the same time.

When you sign up to be a volunteer we’ll give you training and advice so you have everything you need before you start. We’ll then match you up with one of our young tenants and away you go!

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer and want to find out more, contact our Young People’s Service by email at elizabeth.cooper@yhn.org.uk or call 0191 277 1148.

page 4

Inspecting every estate in the city is a massive task, so we’re always looking for more inspectors to join our team. These inspections really do make a difference to how we look after estates – in fact the Going for Gold tenant inspectors won a Community Spirit Award at our ceremony in February (read more on page 6).

To find out more or sign up to become a tenant inspector call 0191 278 8600.

Universal Credit checklist Universal Credit is the government’s attempt to simplify the welfare system. It will be rolled out across Britain within the next year or so, but is already operating in some areas. It is now being introduced in Newcastle.

From April 27, anyone living in Newcastle who is single and making a new claim for Jobseekers Allowance will be asked to claim Universal Credit.

April

27

Universal credit claimants need:

£

1 A bank account Because Universal Credit is not paid in cash, claimants will need to have a bank account for the money to be paid into. There are lots of basic bank accounts around that won’t let people spend more than they have but will allow them to set up Direct Debits to make paying bills easier. Call your Housing Services Office and speak to an Advice and Support Worker for more information.

4

2 The ability to get online and access to a PC or other device Universal Credit has to be claimed online. A website has been set up especially for this, which is a little like online banking. Claimants will be expected to apply for Universal Credit and manage future claims through this website. Newcastle City Council is running lots of “how to get online” courses to show people the basics of the internet. Call 0191 278 7878 to find out more.

4

3 Financial budgeting skills As Universal Credit will be paid monthly, in arrears instead of every two weeks (as most benefits are now) claimants may not be used to making their money last that long. Our Advice and Support team can help with budgeting advice and lots of useful tools such as budget sheets. Call your local Housing Services Office to speak to an Advice and Support Worker for more advice and guidance.

4

For any general questions or queries relating to Universal Credit please email us on universal.credit@yhn.org.uk

page 5

Recognising Community Spirit in Newcastle In February we honoured our most community-conscious customers in recognition of their hard work to help others across the city.

At a glittering awards ceremony presented by one half of Heart Radio’s breakfast team, Justin Lockwood, ten groups and individuals were rewarded for their efforts at our Community Spirit Awards.

This was the fourth time we have held a ceremony to honour the sterling efforts of our customers and this time judges didn’t restrict themselves to strict categories.

The event, sponsored by Wates and Keepmoat, paid tribute to the ten winners for whatever they do that contributes to the impressive sense of community spirit in the areas we manage properties.

Olivia Grant, Chair of YHN, said: “The YHN Community Spirit Awards were incredibly uplifting and it was a real privilege to be involved in such a tremendous celebration of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

decide what is really important to them and is bringing many of our communities closer together in many ways.”

Short films of the winners’ work were played on the night of the ceremony with many bringing audience members, and the nominees themselves, to tears.

One of the winners, Liz Stephenson, was recognised for her tireless work to improve her local area in Walker. She said: “I felt very humbled by the whole thing and was very proud to be part of a great night.”

Nicola Davison, whose father is a member of Coniston Court Tenants’ Action Team, was presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers for all of the IT work she does to support the group.

To read more about our winners visit the latest news section of our website at www.yhn.org.uk

“As we all know, times are hard for a lot of people at the moment, and our customers can sometimes face more challenges than most.

But this seems to be helping local people to Supported by

Coniston Court Community Action Team

page 6

Lillian Bell

Hilltop House Community Association

Eileen Hall

Going for Gold Tenant Inspectors

Charlotte Morrison

Monkchester Community Association

Liz Stephenson

Wyndley House Apprentices group

Eleanor and Bob Hall

page 7

Your Homes Newcastle property page Gerald Street apartments

Shieldfield apartments

• Three bedroom apartments with flexible living space • Rent from £75.56 per week • Close to local amenities and transport links to city centre • Great views of the riverside and access to green space.

Scan the QR code for full property details:

• Two bedroom apartments in walking distance of city centre • Close to Universities • Ideal for Graduates/sharer households • Excellent views across Newcastle.

Scan the QR code for full property details:

Interested?

Interested?

Call Gavin Cox at YHN@WestEnd on 0191 277 1484 or e-mail: westend@yhn.org.uk

Call Michael Mckenna on 0191 2781566 or e-mail eastendoptions@yhn.org.uk

Eastfield apartments

• One bedroom apartments with flexible living space • Rent from £80.87 per week • Excellent bus links and Coast Road nearby • Close to Riverside Park with views of the River Tyne.

Scan the QR code for full property details:

Interested?

Call Sarah Muckian at YHN@Walker on 0191 278 8455 or e-mail: walker@yhn.org.uk

Pooley Road, Slatyford

Three and four bedroom maisonettes in the West End of Newcastle. Close to retail park and other local amenities.

• Four bed maisonette - rent from £89.04 per week • Three bed maisonette - rent from £84.02 per week • YHN furniture services at an additional cost.

Scan the QR code for full property details:

Interested?

Call Donna Gordon at Outer West Customer Service Centre on 0191 277 7940 or e-mail: outerwestoptions@yhn.org.uk

1 bedroom

2 bedrooms

3 bedrooms

4+ bedrooms

Interested in our homes?

Visit www.tyneandwearhomes.org.uk

You can also get help and support from the Housing Options team (for homes in Newcastle) by calling 0191 277 2020.

The properties shown were available at the time of publication, but may have been let since. Please contact us quickly to avoid disappointment.

page 8

Appy days

Tenants are Digital Champions!

Want to access our services on the go?

We have spoken to hundreds of tenants to find out how we can support them to get online. As a result, we are going to be offering training to give tenants the basic skills they need to access and use the internet.

Starting in April, we will deliver training to customers who will ultimately become Digital Champions, who are able to support other tenants in their local community.

These new roles are part of an exciting project that aims to introduce Newcastle tenants and communities to using computers and experiencing life online.

What will the Digital Champions do?

The main role of the Digital Champions will be to offer other tenants advice, information and support, to help them improve their IT skills and access online services. The Digital Champions will offer sessions in local community venues on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. They will be fully trained and ready to start from 1 May. If you want to know how a Digital Champion can help you or your community group with basic computer and internet training, or if you are interested in becoming a future Digital Champion, please contact our Customer Involvement team on 0191 278 4292 or email us at getinvolved@yhn.org.uk

Why not download the YHN app which makes it easy to view and use our web-based services on your mobile or tablet. It has been around for a little while now, but we have recently made some improvements that we hope will make it even easier to access services such as bidding for properties, paying your rent and reporting and requesting things through this service.

It is still a work in progress so we’d really appreciate any feedback you have about the improved app and any suggestions to help us further improve things in the future. Just use the ‘tell us what you think’ feature within the app to do this.

To download the YHN app, simply go to the app store in your device and search for YHN, or scan the app’s QR Code. The YHN app is free and easy to download and you can start using the improved features straight away.

Local offers 2015!

Local offers are our commitment to improving the services that we deliver. They are standards and actions that we agree with customers.

We know that priorities change, so every year we talk to tenants across Newcastle to get their views on our services. We have talked to over 2,225 customers across 126 events about what is most important to them. They gave us really good feedback about what works well and their priorities for services they would like to see improve. The information they gave us has contributed to the development of the local offers for 2015.

Customers decided that the following should be considered as a priority for YHN for the coming year: • Dealing with anti-social behaviour • Income collection • Decent neighbourhoods • Value for money • New build and investment • Letting empty homes efficiently

The local offers are measured and monitored by customers on the Performance Plus group to make sure that we are improving services for you. Progress on the offers is also reported to customers through Homes & People.

If you would like to get involved and find out more please contact the Customer Involvement team on 0191 278 8600.

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‘Own Your Own’ TV, PlayStation or iPad with our low cost weekly payment scheme Buying things like TVs, washing machines or fridge freezers from weekly payment shops will cost you a lot more in the longterm because of the high interest charges.

YHN’s Own Your Own scheme works the same way as well-known weekly payment stores, but with one big difference – our prices are realistic, affordable, and you won’t end up paying over the odds.

With Own Your Own you can buy a quality branded household product and pay for it weekly, over 104 weeks. Our product range is reviewed regularly to ensure we have the most up-to-date products. Our range includes Apple iPads, games consoles, bedroom furniture, nursery furniture, TVs and bikes.

You can buy one product at a time and you’ll only be able to borrow what you can afford. You can choose to pay the amount you owe more quickly which means you get to own your product even earlier.

There are no hidden costs, there’s no deposit to pay, delivery is free and all products come with a 12 month warranty.

For more information

Visit www.ownyourown.uk.com or call 0845 846 0040 and we’ll be happy to help.

Who can join the scheme?

You must be a Newcastle City Council, Byker Community Trust or Leazes Homes tenant and: a. be up to date with your rent account (which includes current, former and linked arrears), and b. have made all of your payments on time for at least the last three months.

How do I apply?

• Apply online at www.ownyourown.uk.com • Call 0845 846 0040 • Pop into your local Housing Services Office and pick up an application form Once we’ve received and approved your application, Moneywise Credit Union will set up your account. We’ll tell you how much your product is, how much you’ll have to pay each week and how long for. Then we’ll contact you to arrange delivery … it’s that easy!

You’ve got the Power latest Giving you the chance to be involved in improving your neighborhood You’ll have received your voting guide in the last edition of Homes & People which showed all the shortlisted projects from this second round of suggestions.

We asked you to vote on your top five projects from each of the low, medium and high categories.

Voting closed in February. We have been busy counting the votes to find out which projects have been successful.

We received over 4,000 votes and there were some really close calls! All the projects that made the shortlist would make a positive difference to

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you ’ve got the

pow

er

those estates so it’s always hard to see some projects not be successful.

But, after getting together with the Tenants’ Panel to go over the voting, we have identified the winning projects. Of those that were shortlisted and featured in the guide, 52 projects got through. Due to the large number of projects being delivered we will be carrying them out over the next two years.

You can see all of the projects that will be carried out on our website at www.yhn.org.uk and we will keep the website updated with our progress.

£25 prize wordsearch Complete the wordsearch to win a £25 Eldon Square voucher to spend on whatever you fancy!

A J S N D O O W K C O L N I T S U J

S E P E E R E M I O A L I I N G C A

E N O T S T P E U P T T E K R A O R

S H Y G E U N T C S U V I D S S M F

R E A B E N E L E L E S G L H E M B

U V S Y A R A E I N T T L O L C U M

O S T K W I Z N W I A I A G R I N B

B T H E G S S O T C K N E T O T I N

H E S R N N R G K S I D C S S N T I

G T L R T U I E L C P T O Y I E Y M

I L X Y O T S A E O A A A N M R S D

E P O Y T T C D P T M R N X B P P A

N D N W S I C N R S N S T E A P I W

O W A I T R E E T A T U U N L A R P

O S T C E J O R P C W Q L S O I I N

M E A I O Y S T I S U A B O M T T Y

T R U O C N O T S I N O C S V W E S

P E S G N I F C T E S I U P M I I G

Apprentices Awards Byker Community Spirit Coniston Court Estates Get On Track Gold Inspectors Justin Lockwood Neighbours Outer West Own Your Own Practical Skills Projects Tenancy Tenants Panel Volunteers

Name: Address: Postcode: Daytime telephone number: Congratulations goes to Mrs Baxter (above right) from Westgate, who won the last word search competition and Mandy Rose Nichol from Riverside Dene who won the previous edition.

Send your completed puzzle along with your name, address and a daytime telephone number to: Homes & People competition, Communications team, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by Friday 29 May.

✁

Please note: competitions are only open to tenants and leaseholders with no rent arrears.

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United for Employment This course is a great way to build up skills, experience and contacts to help get you back in to work. It will run part-time for 5 weeks and a contribution towards travel expenses will be provided. The course is delivered in partnership with Newcastle United Foundation and will be held at St James’ Park.

Interested in construction?

Want training, work experience or full time employment? We are working with our construction partners to deliver regeneration and new build schemes across the city. They will be offering tenants living in YHN managed homes the opportunity to train, get on the job work experience and will also be offering permanent jobs. So, if you’re interested in being a joiner, painter and decorator or surveyor – this could be for you!

To register your interest in our construction opportunities call 0191 278 8600, text “construction” to 07815 784037 or email getinvolved@yhn.org.uk with your name and address.

ScrubADub! An exciting venture is being launched this spring and we’re looking to recruit some friendly apprentices to work in customer service. We will be opening a car wash at our Palatine Beds warehouse in Westerhope and we need people to carry out customer service roles. If you’re aged between 16 and 24 and live in a YHN managed home you could be eligible to apply.

To find out more call 0191 278 8600, text “car wash” to 07815 784037 or email getinvolved@yhn.org.uk with your name and address.

Get on track If you’d like to receive regular updates from us about other job and training news why not sign up to receive our On Track e-newsletter?

To register you can email getinvolved@yhn.org.uk; call 0191 277 3663 and tell us your email address or text your name and email address to 07814 753 088.

On completion of the course you will be guaranteed a one week work placement with one of Newcastle United’s partners and qualifications in:

Training & events

• Leadership (all different levels) • Safeguarding, • Emergency Aid and more A taster session is taking place at the end of May. It will last no longer than 2 hours. You must attend the taster day first to enrol on this course.

To register your place: • Call: 0191 278 8600 • Text: U4E Yes with your name and address to 07815784037 • Email: getinvolved@yhn.org.uk

InTraining jobs fair With around 100 employers coming along to talk about live job vacancies they have available and the chance to be interviewed on the day, the Newcastle City Jobs Fair is an event not to be missed! Taking place on 23 April at St. James’ Park, the event is being hosted by national training provider, InTraining, in partnership with Job Centre Plus.

Don’t miss your chance to speak to potential employers, show them your CV and make that all important first impression.

There’ll be a wide range of businesses at the fair so there’s bound to be something to interest you.

You don’t need to book so you can turn up any time from noon – but we’d suggest you get there early to make your good impression before anyone else!

A guide to making your own money Are you a tenant? Are you self-employed? Could you benefit from some advice around marketing and social media?

We’ll soon be holding a workshop for tenants who run their own business but need a bit of a push in the right direction to make them fly.

The workshop will be run by Chris Dawson from SES (Sustainable Enterprise Strategies) who has already helped lots of tenants set up their own business and make their own money.

A date will be confirmed when we have enough interest from tenants, so to register your interest in the workshop: • Call 0191 278 8600 • Text ‘self employed’ and your name to 07815 784037 • Email getinvolved@yhn.org.uk