Gedling News and Views - Spring 2015

ISSUE 25 • April 2015

news&views

GREAT Homes GREAT Neighbourhoods GREAT People

Happy Easter!

Celebrating a yearof success page 13

St Andrew's House ExtraCare update page 18

How are GH Responseperforming? page 8

16320A Gedling Newsletter Spring 2015 v5__ 07/04/2015 14:02

Contact usTel: 0115 905 1515Email: [email protected]: www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Twitter:@Gedling_HomesFacebook:www.facebook.com/gedlinghomes

2

Guest Editorial Shirley Palmer

Welcome to the Spring edition of Newsand Views.I am delighted to be involved in this edition of thenewsletter that showcases St Andrews House,our first Sheltered Plus and Extra Care developmentwhich opens at the end of April and will be a welcomeaddition to Gedling Homes and our tenants.

The amazing success of the training academy as itcelebrates its first full year is for all to see on page 13and I’ll leave it to you to guess how many tenants havetaken up the training offer.

There's news about howGH Response haveperformed as itapproaches it's firstbirthday, GREAT Livingand the regular mix ofcompetitions, advice andcommunity news.Proof, if any wereneeded, that we’reGREATer together.

Shirley Palmer

This is a building in Calverton built in

the 16th century.

Do you know what it is today?In this edition you will notice small chequeredboxes. These are QR codes. They are a type ofbarcode that you scan with your smart phone ortablet to visit a specific website.

If you have a smart phone or tablet, simplydownload a free QR code scanner app.Using this app, the camera in your phone or tabletwill read the QR code, just like a barcode scannerin a shop. Your phone or tablet will then take youstraight to the specific website.

Give this one a try, it will take youstraight to our website.

QR Codes

It was the Co-operative Hall andfoodstoreCongratulations toKath Boulton, Carlton.You got it right!£25 vouchers coming your way!

Last edition’s answer:Did you recognise it?

Send your answers to Customer Experience,Gedling Homes, Gedling House, Wood Lane,Gedling, NG4 4AD for your chance to win£25 in shopping vouchers. We’ll let youknow the answer in the next edition!

?

Do you knowthis landmark?


We want to hear from you!Send us your photos, news, ideas, or feedback on

our services and we will print a selection of the responses inthe next edition of News & Views.

Email us at:[email protected] or write toCustomer Experience, Gedling Homes, Gedling House,

Wood Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4AD

3Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Contents

NewsHomes for Britain 4Bogus caller warning 4C2 Connecting Communities in Daybrook 5Visit the Customer Contact Centre 5Keeping communal areas clear 6Shed security 6Colin’s a life saver 7Garden Maintenance Service 7GH Response: How are we performing? 85000th Repair complete 8Annual gas safety check 9Electrical safety checks 9Congratulations! 9

MoneySwitching banks got easier 10Universal Credit update 11New rent payment app launched 11

Tenant InvolvementTPAS Awards 12VfM Conference 12Celebrating a year of success 13

Your CommunityGREAT Neighbourhood Promises 14The Gedling NeighbourhoodResolution Panel 14Blooming Gardens 2015 15

Street TalkMick Archer - Head of PropertyManagement 16

Community ChestProjects update 17

Independent LivingSt Andrew’s House Extra Care Update 18GREAT Recycling Event 19The Launch of The GREAT Living Event 19

EventsEvents list 20-21

Fun & Games 22

Our Performance 23


4

Homes for Britain - a new campaign toend the housing crisisGedling Homes supportedthe Homes for Britain rally,taking two tenants, our MDLynn Clayton and the Directorof Asset Management,Jason Cannon, to the event.Homes for Britain is about the livesof ordinary people in every city,town and village in the country thatare affected by a shortage of decentaffordable homes.

For decades we have failed to buildenough new homes and theproblem will only get worse - weare still only building just half thenew homes the country needs eachyear. Even if you are lucky enoughto have a good, stable home now,

can you be sure that your childrenor grandchildren will too?

The campaign was set up to tellpoliticians that housing matters tomillions of people around Britain.Together we are asking politiciansto commit to ending the housingcrisis within a generation (it’s takena long time to create this mess,so we’re being realistic about howlong it will take to fix it!) The timeto make politicians commit to thisis now, ahead of the GeneralElection in 2015.

Since the campaign launched inSeptember, Homes for Britain hasbeen telling MPs and electioncandidates that they must end thehousing crisis within a generation.

Posters areavailable foryou, as a voter,to put up inyour windowstoo, to showyour supportfor the campaign.To give Homes for Britain yoursupport, request campaignmaterials or tell us how you aretaking part in the campaign,please get in touch by calling020 7067 1185 or [email protected]

More information is available on theHomes for Britain website:homesforbritain.org.uk

for the campaign.

Gedling Homes is warningresidents to be extra vigilant afterreports of bogus callers operatingin the area and a scam which left alady £200 out of pocket.

We have been made aware ofa scam where a residentreceived a letter about newwindows and doors.

The letter - which falsely claimedto be from Gedling Homes -was then followed up by a phonecall from a company posing asone of our partners.

On the phone, the companyoffered new lounge windows andFrench doors and advised theresident on a Government grant

to encourage her to sign upto the deal.

The bogus company thenarranged a home visit with theresident and asked for a £200deposit the same day to securethe work.

The tenant wrote a cheque butwhen she decided to change hermind and ask for her money back,the contact number the companygave was disconnected and shecan no longer reach them.

Lynn Clayton, Managing Directorat Gedling Homes said: “This isobviously very worrying and weare looking into it further with thepolice but in the meantime we

want to warn residents to takeextra care when buying goodsover the phone or whenanswering to doorstep callers.

“We would never ask for adeposit upfront for any work wecarry out and any companyworking on our behalf wouldcarry relevant identification.

If anyone has any doubts,they should always check thecaller’s details with the companybefore doing anything else and ifanyone has concerns they can callus on 0161 331 2000.

Bogus caller warning afterresident loses £200 in scam


5

News

C2 ConnectingCommunities inDaybrookStaff from Gedling Homes and other partnersincluding the Police and Gedling BoroughCouncil took part in the ‘Listening to Daybrook’event on Saturday 7th February 2015,at Derrymount Upper School.The purpose of the event was to gather the views oflocal residents about ‘What is it like to live inDaybrook’ with the aim of setting up a partnership oflocal residents and agencies, to build on the goodwork already happening and to tackle priority issuesidentified by the residents.

The meeting was well attended by tenants andresidents and highlighted a number of challenges thatneed addressing, with the top three being:

• On street car parking

• Dog fouling

• No focal point to meet people

• Lack of social activities

Mark Vasey, Tenancy Services Manager, said: “Thiswork illustrates our commitment and that of ourpartners to listening to and working with members ofour communities to tackle the things that matter tothem. There will be lots of exciting developments inDaybrook over the coming months and I wouldadvise all our tenants who live in this area to getinvolved as everybody’s view counts and can result inchanges being made.”

Martin Curtis, Community Regeneration Officeron 0115 905 1515 or [email protected]

Have you visited our Customer Contact Centrebased in the Council Offices in Arnot Hill Park.

If you would like to speak to someone face-to-facewe are more than happy to help you with anyquery you may have. Whether it’s discussing yourrent account to raising a repair, advice on mutualexchanges to Lifelines, reporting anti-socialbehaviour to finding out when investment worksare to be carried out to your home we are here tohelp. We can also take payments by cheque,debit or credit card (sorry - we cannot take cash).

Every Wednesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm thereis a drop-in session where you can speak to ourexperienced officers about debt advice andwelfare benefits. If you would like to discuss yourrent account in more detail there is an officerfrom our Revenues team every Thursday from9am to 12 noon.

We are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pmand Friday 9am to 4.30pm. We are wheelchair andpushchair friendly and have an interview room ifyou would like to talk to us in private.

We look forward to seeing you.

Visit the CustomerContact Centre

Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk


We would like to remind tenantsand leaseholders who live inflats not to store any items orpersonal possessions incommunal corridors as itpresents a serious health andsafety risk.Our neighbourhood management staffcarry out regular inspections of theseareas and, if we find such items, wewill give the owners a short period oftime to remove them. If they don’t -we will. We then store the items for ashort time before we dispose of them.

Mark Vasey, Tenancy ServicesManager, said: “The safety of ourtenants and leaseholders is of theupmost importance to us and it isessential that in the event of a fire or

other emergency, all passages andaccess routes are clear. We ask ourcustomers to work with us and

ensure that they keep these areasclear of all items”

6

The police have highlightedthat need for tenants to ensuretheir sheds are kept secure assummer approaches.

Jackie Gill, Tenancy EnforcementOfficer, said: “Tenants with shedsneed to be especially vigilantduring the lighter nights asinformation I receive from thePolice indicates there is a markedincrease in thefts from shedsduring this period.”

Security measures can include:

• Secure shed doors by fitting astrong hasp and staple (alsocalled a ‘padbar’) with ashackle padlock.

• Protect door hingesfrom being unscrewed byfitting coach bolts ornon-returnable screws.

• Consider replacing glasswith Perspex.

• Install outside security lightsthat come on automatically.

Keeping communal areas clear

Shed Security

GREATLook out for our

ComingsoonthroughoutJunetoyourneighbourhood!Staff fromGedlingHomeswill be inyourneighbourhoodsextensively throughoutJune,promotingactivitieswhich link to the interventions inourGREATNeighbourhoodPromises.Watchout formore informationas it arrives. If youwould like toknowmoreabouthowyoucanget involvedor if there isanevent youwould likesomesupportwith

pleasecontactuson01159051515.

eventsin yourcommunity



News

Colin’s a life saverGedling Homes’ tenantColin Harrison has spent 30years becoming Britain’smost prolific blood donor -after giving 400 pints.Colin, 64, from Carlton, is a tenantinspector, a former member of ourscrutiny panel - the Gedling Eye,and is a member of the GedlingHomes singers. He has helped savethe lives of 1,200 adults or 4,800children since 1983.

He has donated a pint of blood everythree months at Nottingham DonorCentre, clocking up a staggering 227litres or 50 gallons.

Colin said: 'I just wanted to dosomething to give to other people.

“I just thought it'seasy, absolutelypainless, andeveryone can doit. It's very simpleand easy to doand you makesuch a difference.I just thinkeveryone shoulddo it.’

Colin, who volunteers to help theelderly, also donated plasma as oftenas every two weeks.

Medics can use the plasma to givetransfusions to people who areundergoing chemotherapy, haveleukaemia or are about to have anorgan or bone marrow donation.

Colin is now urging other people togive blood after he donated his 400thand final pint last week.

Amanda Eccles, from NHS Blood andTransplant, said: 'We would like to saya huge thank you to Colin for hisdedication to blood and plateletdonation over the years.”

GardenMaintenanceServiceDid you knowthat if you are aGedling Homestenant orleaseholder, for asmall weekly feeyou can apply tojoin our gardenmaintenance scheme?

We have a dedicated team of staff fromGedling Borough Council’s GroundsMaintenance department to do thiswork for us and satisfaction with thisservice for 2014/15 was at 98%!

You can apply to join at any time of theyear so please call us on 0115 9051515and ask to speak to Neighbourhoods.

maintenance scheme?

GedlingCountry ParkNow OpenGedling Country Park opened to residentson 28th March with a special event tomark the regeneration of the formerGedling Colliery, supported by GedlingHomes' public realms funds.Gedling Homes supported the event.The Gedling Homes singers entertained visitors and ourtenants helped decorate the parkwith colourful yarn-bombingactivities. We also has aninformation stall and exercise bikemaking healthy smoothies free toanyone who visits our stand.


The new in-house repairs service launchedon the 1st July 2014 is going from strengthto strength.In addition in September we introduced our ownin-house stores - which helps contribute to makingsure we complete the repair on the first visit.

In the next few weeks we are hoping to have ourfirst apprentice join us.

In addition to the GREAT performance, the team isalso making significant financial savings, by ensuringwork is completed right first time and introducingnew processes.

In our first six months we achieved:

99.4% of emergency repairscompleted within target

99.3% of urgent repairscompleted within target

99.5% of routine repairscompleted in target

94.6% of customers aresatisfied with our work

How are weperforming?

8.5daysis the average length of time ittakes to complete all repairs

5000th Repair CompleteIn August GH Response completed its 5000th Repairin Arnold - an emergency repair for loss of electricityin the kitchenPictured is Mrs Clements receiving flowers from MickArcher - Head of Property Management and JaneBuchanan - Repairs Service ManagerArcher - Head of Property Management and JaneBuchanan - Repairs Service Manager

99% of all repairs completedright first time

8


GH Response


Every year we complete a gassafety check to your home,if you have a gas appliance.While we have to do this by law,the safety of our tenants is ourpriority and that is why we makesuch serious efforts to access yourhome to make the check.

So, if the appointment we sendyou is not convenient, please letus know immediately.

Failure to allow us access for thisvery important safety check,could lead to us taking action viathe Courts or gaining access toisolate the supply. If we have topursue legal action or gain access,you may incur expensive costs.

Please stay safe and allowus access.

Electrical Safety ChecksIn April we are starting tocarry out a new service -electrical safety checks toyour home.These are called ElectricalInspection Condition Reports(ECIRs) and will be completedapproximately every 5 years,depending upon theengineer’s report.

You will receive anappointment two weeksbefore and the work willtake around 2 - 4 hoursto complete.

If the appointment is notconvenient, please let usknow immediately and we willrearrange our visit for you.

Congratulations!We have received lots of complimentsabout the new service, with customerssaying they are happy with the speed ofour response and the quality of our work.

Well done GH Response.If you have any feedback about the servicewhy not get in touch on 0115 905 1515or through our [email protected]

Annual Gas Safety Check

Mick Archer - Head of Property Management gives an insight intohis first few months working for Gedling Homes - see page 16


Introduced on 16th September 2013, the changenot only makes it simpler for consumers to switchcurrent accounts, but also increases competitionbetween the banks.

How does the 7-day currentaccount switching work?Nearly every current account provider has signed up tothe new current account switching system. This meansthat wherever you move your custom, both currentaccount providers will be ready

When you apply to open a new current account, you’lljust need your current bank details. You’ll be asked tocomplete a Current Account Switch Agreement form -and a Current Account Closure Instruction form, toend relations with your current account provider.

After confirming the switch date of your choosing,your new bank or building society will contact you tolet you know that the process has begun a minimum

of 7 working days before the date agreed. You cancontinue using your old current account right up untilyour switch date so you won’t be stuck in limbo.

All of your incoming and outgoing payments will bemoved to your new account, but if there are any issues,your bank or building society will get in touch.

Any money in your old account will also be transferredto the new current account.

What are the benefits of the 7-daycurrent account switch guarantee?

• Direct debits and standing orders taken care of

• Eligible for refunds on interest payments ifapplicable

• Over 12 months protection from previous bankaccount for payments accidentally sent to them

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Switching banks got easier

a NEWWayTO GET CREdITDoyou finD it impossible to geta loanyou canafforDto payback?areyou having tomake costly repayments to Doorstepor payDay lenDers?

There is nowanoTher choice open To you...

• A community based lender, working on a not-for-profit basis

• Representative APR of 69.5%

• Repayments are made via a bank account.If the tenant doesn’t have one, MHF workswith NatWest to set one up

• MHF work with local credit unions with a view tosetting up a savings account

My Home Finance (MHF) provide loans for most purposes and can also help you with bank accounts andbudgeting. When you apply, your benefits will be taken into account as income and a poor credit historydoesn’t have to stop you from getting a loan.

01905 25805www.myhomefinance.org.uk


Gedling Homes customerscan now pay their rent straightfrom their mobile phonesfollowing the launch of a newpayment app.Once registered, customers'details are saved in the app itself,meaning that you can pay bills at thetouch of a button anywhere withinternet access.

The app is free to download fromthe Apple App Store, Google Playand on Windows phones using thelinks below.

How to register?Step 1: Download the app.There are a number of ways inwhich you can do this:

Scan the QR code below withyour phone.

Step 2: Follow the instructions toset up your account

You will need...

Your Gedling Homes plasticpayment card. You will be askedfor the long number across themiddle of the card where it says‘Payment reference number’.

You will also need the bankcard that you want to makepayments from.

SecurityYou will need to input a PINnumber and a password so only youcan access the app.

What do I do if Ican’t find my rentpayment card?Ring us on 0161 331 2050and we can help.

When will my paymentarrive in my account?The payment should be in youraccount the next working dayafter you have made the paymentvia the app.

Money

11Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk 11Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

New rent payment app launched

Apple Android

Universal Credit UpdateWhat’s changing… ?The Government has announcedthat Universal Credit will be rolledout in the Gedling area from 22ndJune 2015. To start with only singlepeople of working age will berequired to claim Universal Credit.As the roll out progresses morepeople, such as couples and families,will start to claim Universal Credit.

Universal Credit will be replacingcertain working-age related benefitsand will affect you if you are on alow income or not in work and ofworking age.

Universal Credit will change theway you apply for and receivebenefits. It is applied for online andis paid directly to a bank or buildingsociety account monthly.Universal Credit will also include

the Housing Benefit elementcurrently paid by Gedling BoroughCouncil, therefore the way you payyour rent to Gedling Homes willchange too.

What can I do to prepare…?For those people likely to beaffected, and especially those fromJune 2015, it is really important thatyou can answer ‘yes’ to thefollowing questions:

If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to all of the above,please contact the Money Wise Team for help and supporton 0115 9051515 or email: [email protected]

change too.

following questions:

If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to all of the above, please contact the Money Wise Team for help and support

I have access to the internetI can use the internetI have a bank account or Credit Union accountI can budget monthlyI have looked at all my household expenditure

✓ ✗ Tick list


12

TPAS AwardsGedling Homes is celebratingthis week after picking up anaward at the TPAS MidlandsAwards in Birmingham.The team picked up theExcellence in Annual Reportaward for their 2014 annualreport to tenants.The report, which highlights keyperformance of Gedling Homes overthe past year, was produced inconjunction with Gedling Homes'tenants. The key criteria for theaward category is is to involve tenantsin the production of the report and toensure that the document is relevantand accessible to all tenants.

The report was produced in threedifferent formats - a video, a leafletand a report on the website - and thecontent was handed over to tenants inthe form of a diary room which wentaround Gedling borough last summer.

The different formatscontained differentlevels of informationto suit a range oftenants’ needs.

Steve Ward, Customer ExperienceManager said “We wanted to dosomething different this year andmove away from the traditional annualreport. We handed the content of thereport over to all tenants, not just ourinvolved tenants. We ensured thecontent was governed by what theytold us and our involved tenantshelped us ensure this happened.

“We feel that we found an innovativeand novel way to produce our reportand we’re really pleased that this wasrecognised at the TPAS awards.”

But that’s not all! Gedling Homeswere also shortlisted for 3 moreawards this year. The IndependentComplaints Panel was shortlisted forthe Excellence in Co-Regulation

Award. Sarah Quinn, ResidentInvolvement Officer was shortlistedfor Resident Involvement Officer ofthe Year and Alan White, one of ourinvolved tenants and member ofGedling Homes’ Tenant Voices wasshortlisted for Tenant of the Year.

We were delighted to see Alan Whitescoop 3rd prize in the Tenant of theYear category!

The team now moves onto thenational finals in July.

VfM ConferenceOn 18 March, Gedling Homes’tenants attended the second NewCharter Group customerconference which focused on valuefor money and customer service.

The purpose of the day was toinvolve tenants in the decisions wemake in the delivery of services to

ensure that we offer good value formoney and deliver services ourtenants want us to do.

On the day, tenants heard fromexternal speakers and speechesfrom key members of the NewCharter management team,including Group Chief ExecutiveIan Munro.

In addition they participated in anumber of interactive workshopsfocusing on how we communicatewith tenants, where we currentlyoffer good services and whatservices we need to improve.Tenants also looked at how digitalservices should be delivered totenants to ensure good value for

money and provide a goodlevel of service.

The day was a GREAT success,with over 70 tenants providingvaluable feedback which will helpus improve services and helpcomplete our value for moneyself-assessment, which is aregulatory requirement for us.

Over 20 tenants from GedlingHomes made the trip fromNottingham to Buxton, thank youto everyone who took part inthe event.

In addition they participated in a


Tenant Involvement


Gedling Homes training academy iscelebrating the success of its first full year - andwhat a year it has been.We offer various training opportunities to all ourcustomers from creative, well-being and career basedsessions to training to support you in your involvementwith us.

A magnificent 140 of you have taken up over 200training places.

Courses have helped people into work, reduced socialisolation and helped tenants to develop all kindsof skills.

But we don’t intend to leave it there. We want toexpand the range of courses on offer, including how we

support tenants withmoney issues. We wantyou to let us know ifyou think of any courseswe should consider offering.

GREATer Training courses are available to all GedlingHomes’ tenants, leaseholders and members of theirhousehold. Benefits include:

• FREE training courses

• FREE transport arranged

• Reasonable expenses coveredTo find out more and express your interest intaking one of our courses please get in touch with ustoday. A full list of our available courses is at thebottom fo this page.

You can email [email protected] call the Customer Experience team on0115 905 1515.

support tenants with

Celebrating ayear of success

we should consider offering.

AVAILABLE COURSESIT • Food Safety CIEH Level 2 Certificate in Catering • Managing Your Money • Water Saving Tips • First Aid

Helping You Back To Work • Building Confidence • Interested In Volunteering • Cook & EatIntroduction To Arts & Crafts • Dress To Impress • Watercolour Painting • An Introduction To Aromatherapy

Positive Changes • Zumba Gold • Cooking 4 Life • Equality and Diversity • Chairing Effective MeetingsSetting Up Resident Groups • Introduction to Social Housing and Gedling Homes • Scrutiny Training


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GREAT NeighbourhoodPromisesAll nine of Gedling Homes’ GREATNeighbourhood Promises arenow launched. This is great newsfor tenants and leaseholders as itmeans that we are working onmaking your areas better placesto live.Mark Vasey, Tenancy ServicesManager, said: “Each Promisecontains about 50 interventions thattenants have asked us to carry out tomake their neighbourhoods betterplaces to live. Between now and 2017we will be working to ensure that wecomplete all of the work that hasbeen identified and will result in usachieving 5 star neighbourhoods.This is a really exciting time to bepart of such work!”

For details of what is contained inyour GREAT NeighbourhoodPromise please consult our websiteor call the Neighbourhoods team on0115 905 1515.

The Gedling Neighbourhood Resolution PanelStudents from Nottingham Trent University havechosen to study and evaluate the GedlingNeighbourhood Resolution Panel as part of theirsecond year Criminology degree course.

Students Aimee Blockley and Kirsty Knight areevaluating the success of the project in Gedling andaim to establish the long term benefits to GedlingHomes and other partners of running such a scheme.

Aimee said “It has been really interesting to look intothis project and has provided me with an invaluableopportunity for research. I can say that evidenceclearly indicates that using the ‘restorative justice’approach results in long lasting and permanentreductions in anti-social behaviour and I wouldstrongly recommend that people take part wheneverthey experience problems of this kind”

Mark Vasey, Tenancy Services Manager, said: “Thereport that we will receive from Nottingham TrentUniversity will provide further proof that therestorative justice approach works and it has beengreat working alongside Aimee and Kirsty”

14


Your Community


Bl minggardensGardening Competition

2015

Bl gardensgardens

minggardensgardens

Whether you have fabulous flowersor grow your own fantastic veg, weare looking to find the most greenfingered among you. There are sixcategories for you to choose from.

The lucky winners will each receivea trophy and national gardencentre vouchers.

To enter please complete the formbelow and send to BloomingGardens, Gedling Homes,Gedling House, Wood Lane,Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4AD

Entries need to be in by Friday 12thJune 2015 and judging will takeplace the week commencing

Monday 22nd June 2015.Please note you will need to beavailable between 9-5pm during thisweek for your garden to be judged.

It’s that time of the year - get those green fingers ready!

The competition categoriesPlease select the one category you would liketo enter:

Best garden (back, front or both)

Best patio or yard

Best individual planter/hangingbasket/window box

Best communal/sheltered housingscheme garden

Best Leaseholder garden

Best young gardener under 16

Entries will be judged the week commencingMonday 22nd June 2015. If you have a preferenceon when you would like the judging of yourgarden to take place please state a day andwhether you would like the visit to be in themorning or afternoon.

Days Available:.............................................................

AM PM

Application

Return your completed form,by Friday 12th June 2015 to Blooming Gardens,Gedling Homes,Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling, NG4 4AD

Name:........................................................................Address:................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................Telephone:............................................................

Bl minggardensGardening Competition

2015

Bl gardensgardens

minggardensgardens


16

Mick Archer - Head of PropertyManagement, talks to Jean JohnsonMick Archer - Head of Property

When did you joinGedling Homes?Last November, so I haven’t beenwith Gedling Homes very long.However, the first few monthshave been very good and we arestarting to look at some excitingopportunities.

What skills andexperience do youbring to the job?Over the last 25 years I haveworked within the Repairs andMaintenance industry.

The last 17 years I have workedwithin social housing both on theclient side (landlord) and thecontractor’s side of service delivery.

My last two roles were working asHead of Service for Repairs andMaintenance for Three ValleysHousing and Derby Homes.

Throughout my career I have beenable to gain a wealth of experiencewhich I can bring to this role atGedling Homes.

What satisfaction doyou get from the job?I am performance driven and like toaim high. For me there is nothing

worse than aiming low to make iteasier to hit targets. Within this roleno two days are the same and I lovethe variety, whether it comes toStrategic Planning or operationaldelivery on how the service isdelivered to our tenants.

Do you get on wellwith staff?Yes, I get on well with my team.I have 18 technicians and 10 officestaff. I have a diverse team withstaff members who have veryspecific roles.

I make sure we have regular teammeetings to create a team ethosand allow everyone the opportunityto share ideas.

Where do you see theservice in 5 years?My first priority is to make surethe service GH Responseprovides is the best our tenantshave ever received.

Secondly, to make GH Response atrusted local brand and become anestablished contractor both locallyand regionally.

As the service expands it would begreat to employ more local people.We currently have our first everapprentice plumber starting shortly

with GH Response who lives withinthe borough.

What was the bestpiece of advice you’vebeen given?The best two bits of advice I havebeen given are:

1. Whatever you do, do it right!!

and

2. Know the sector you work in.That’s looking at best practise andemerging innovations. Which in asense means continually lookingto improve and adapt ideas,so that they fit with the needs ofour tenants.

How do you relaxoutside of work?I have a family and I like to relax andspend time with them.

I also enjoy watching my eldest sonplay football.


A panel of staff andtenants have supported

a number of projectsimproving local

communities overthe year. Some of the

recent projects arehighlighted below.

If you would like support with a locally based project, aresidents group or have identified the need for someenvironmental works within your community you canapply to our Community Chest fund. All applicationsreceived are presented to our Community Chest panelmade up of experienced tenant representatives andmembers of staff from the Neighbourhoods and AssetManagement team. A meeting is held every quarter tojudge applications received and each application islooked at on individual basis. The next panel meeting ison Tuesday 12th May 2015.

To apply to our Community Chest please complete anapplication form which can be found online on ourwebsite at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk or alternatively

requested from a member of our Customer ExperienceTeam on 0115 905 1515. When completing the formplease supply as much information about your project orinitiative along with a full breakdown of costs andsupporting information . Please ensure you send yourapplication in enough time to allow us to process thepaperwork for the next panel meeting. If you are askingfor environmental or improvement works this involvescontractors costing so please allow one month for thisto happen.

If you would like more information regardingCommunity Chest please contact Sarah Quinn,Tenant Involvement Officer on 0115 905 1515.

Successful applications of this quarter are as follows:

Carlton House SocialClub - £405to cover the cost of a fridgefreezer to allow the socialclub to supply affordablemeals to residents and friendsof the centre.

Bailey Court Tenants -£118.94to purchase a metal shed toassist with storage for thegarden club who are busycreating a vegetable plot anddeveloping the communalgardens for the enjoyment ofits residents.

Bourne Mews Allotment- £285.41to purchase a polytunnel toassist residents in growing fruitand vegetables for low cost

sales and donations to localresidents and charities.

Nabarro CourtCommittee - £300to cover the cost of transport toallow residents from thescheme to enjoy a social eventtogether and further developfriendships.

Foxhill Court - £2116.20to install a fixed camera tomonitor flytipping and anti-social behaviour.

Westmoore Court -£334.97to purchase a projector,speakers and screen to developa regular cinema club at thescheme. This will help developthe sense of community as well

as allowing tenants to enjoysome great films!

It has been anotherfantastic year forCommunity Chest!This year Community Chesthas received a total of 58applications and hassupported 39 of theseapplications spending awhopping total of£52,306.28


Community Chest


18

St Andrew'sHouse ExtraCare UpdateOur refurbishment of St Andrew’sHouse to provide 32 modern andstylish apartments in a ShelteredPlus and Extra Care developmentis progressing well.The timetable for completion is thebeginning of May. Tenants will beginto move in towards the end of Mayand into the beginning of June.This will include those tenants whomoved out of St Andrew’s House in2013 who wish to return and alsonew tenants who meet the eligibilitycriteria for the Sheltered Plushousing service or the Extra Carehousing service.

St Andrew’s House will be managedby a full time Extra Care Manager,assisted by a part time Extra CareCo-ordinator, which means there isa member of the housing teamavailable seven days a week.

A full-time Independent LivingAssistant will be in place five days aweek to ensure tenants arecomfortable and that the housingservice meets every tenant’s needs.Each apartment will have an alarm(pull cord) system, and each tenantwill receive a hot midday meal, served in the dining room, as well as

use of all the communal facilities -including a hair salon - and access tothe range of events and activitiesthe team will be developing.

In addition to the housing teamthere will be the care teamprovided by Agincare who will be atSt Andrew’s 7 days a week, 24hours a day. The team will providecare and support to 15 of the 32tenants, each of whom will havebeen assessed by Nottinghamshire

County Council as eligible for theExtra Care service.

This is Gedling Homes’ firstdevelopment of Extra CareHousing and the partnership withNottinghamshire County Councilhas been essential in ensuring thatthis exciting development is thebest it can be.

To find out more contact KarenSands, Head of Independent Livingon 0115 905 1515.

MORE freedom.MORE friends.MORE fun.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPWITH

Are you over 60?Are you looking for more supportto help you live independently?Are you looking for a lively community?If the answer to these questions is yes,then why not come and find out more?Let us know when you’d like to pop over and visit,we’ll put the kettle on and gladly show you around.We’re looking forward to seeing you soon.

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

FORMOREINFORMATIONORTOBOOKAVISITCALL01159051515OREMAILENQUIRIES@GEDLINGHOMES.CO.UK

including a hair salon - and access tothe range of events and activitiesthe team will be developing.

In addition to the housing teamthere will be the care teamprovided by Agincare who will be atSt Andrew’s 7 days a week, 24


Independent living


On 13th January Gedling Homes launched theGREAT Recycling Event at Foxhill Court wherethere is a mixture of general needs andsheltered tenants.The Gedling Homes housing team came up with theidea because of various issues surrounding the use ofthe communal bin areas at the scheme.

General waste bins were being overfilled andrecycling bins were under-used. In addition, recyclingbins were often contaminated by the wrong itemsbeing dropped in.

We worked in partnership with Gedling BoroughCouncil to create and launch the event to raiseawareness of recycling and to gather feedback on whatis needed to improve the bin system and to encourageeveryone to recycle more.

The event was fun, educational and interactive andthere were a variety of quizzes, prizes and stallsincluding creative arts stands where people wereinvited to make useful items out of recycled materials.The Men in Sheds project also came along to showcasetheir recycled creations made from restored and

recycled wood. Other guestsincluded Veolia and CarltonCentral Junior School.

Since the event we have been working with tenantsand Gedling Borough Council to make positive changesto the communal bin system at Foxhill Court. GedlingHomes will continue rolling this event out to otherschemes in partnership with Gedling Borough Council.

The Launch of The GREAT Living Event

On 2nd December Gedling Homes launched aGREAT Living project at Westmoore Court.Tenants were invited to meet with each other andGedling Homes’ staff to discuss various aspects ofwhere they live and to think about what can bedone to make their environment a GREAT placeto live. This was done through fun, creative andinteractive activities.

Tenants who attended the successful event wereopen and honest and came up with lots of positiveand creative ideas to improve not only their living

environment but also to enhance their enjoymentand wellbeing. Tenants are now meeting with eachother and Gedling Homes staff on a regular basis toprogress these positive ideas.

There are already plans to increase social events atWestmoore Court. A regular walking group is beingset up and cinema equipment has been purchased viathe Gedling Homes’ Community Chest for regularcinema evenings.

Tenant Keith Satterford said “It was a pleasureto be at the GREAT Living Event.It was good to see residents coming together totry and improve Westmoore Court.It made me feel part of the community.”This is just the beginning of the GREAT Livingproject, Gedling Homes staff and tenants willcontinue working together to make positive changes.

to be at the GREAT Living Event. It was good to see residents coming together totry and improve Westmoore Court. It made me feel part of the community.”This is just the beginning of the GREAT Livingproject, Gedling Homes staff and tenants willcontinue working together to make positive changes.

GREAT Recycling Event

Since the event we have been working with tenants


20

1 May, for 6 weeksAssertiveness andConfidence BuildingSt George's Centre, Netherfield5 May, 10.30am-12pmArnold Estate WalkaboutWardle Grove, Bentwell Ave andWorrall Avenue - meet corner ofBentwell Ave/Bonington Drive

7 May, 11amCavendish Road WalkaboutMeeting at Cemetery onCavendish Road

7 May, 1pmWalk and TalkCavendish Road, Carlton

7 May, 11am-12pmNetherfield SurgerySt George's Centre, Netherfield

12 May, 10am-12pmCommunity ChestWestmoore Court, Mapperley14 May, 10amWalk and TalkCarlton House, Carlton14 May, 10.30amWalk and TalkLendrum Court, Burton Joyce14 May, 10.30amWalk and TalkMoyra House, Arnold

14 May, 2pmBourne Mews WalkaboutNetherfield

15 MayCraft Bomb DayCarlton House and Seagrave Court16 May, 10am-12pmHanging Basket Workshopopposite the Co-Op, Netherfield20 May, 11.30am-1pmThe Ark Drop-inHousing SurgeryThe Ark, Wollaton Avenue,Gedling

29 May, 10amWalk and TalkWestmoore Court, Mapperley

May

2 April, 11am-12pmNetherfield SurgerySt George's Centre, Netherfield

9 April, 9.30amWalk and TalkWalton Court, Carlton

15 April 2015, 10amWalk and TalkTavill Field, Arnold

15 April, 10.30amWalk and TalkErnehale Court, Arnold

15 April, 10amWalk and TalkBritannia Court, Netherfield

15 April, 11.30am-1pm

The Ark Drop-inHousing SurgeryThe Ark, Wollaton Avenue,Gedling

20 April, 10amWalk and TalkBailey Court, Netherfield

21 April, 2pm-3.30pm

Sheltered Housing ForumMoreland Court, Carlton

22 April, 10amWalk and TalkFoxhill Court, Carlton

29 April, 2.45pmWalk and TalkMoreland Court, Carlton

29 April, 10amWalk and TalkOrchard Court, Carlton

April


Events


June2 June, 2pmWalk and Talk2-30 Seagrave Court, Arnold

4 June, 11am-12pmNetherfield SurgerySt George's Centre,Netherfield

6 June, 11.30am-1pmThe Ark Drop-inHousing SurgeryThe Ark, Wollaton Avenue,Gedling

9 June, 10amWalk and TalkBramble Court, Gedling

12 June, 10.30amWalk and TalkNabarro Court, Calverton

15 June, 5.30pmSt Austin's Court EstateWalkaboutSt Austin’s Court

16 June, 11amWalk and TalkRoe Hill, Woodborough

24 June, 11amWalk and TalkRushcliffe Avenue, Carlton

25 June, 11amLeaseholders WalkaboutMeet at Garage Site

26 June, 10amWalk and TalkCoronation Walk, Gedling

July2 July, 11am-12pmNetherfield SurgerySt George's Centre,Netherfield

9 July, 9.30amWalk and TalkWalton Court, Carlton

15 July, 10.30amWalk and TalkErnehale Court, Arnold

16 July, 10amWalk and TalkFoxhill Court, Carlton

29 July, 2pmWalk and TalkOrchard Court, Carlton

Money Wise SurgeriesWednesday morning ofeach week, 9.30am-12.30pmGedling Homes CustomerContact CentreCivic Centre, Arnot Hill Park,Arnold

First Thursday morning ofeach month, 11am-1pmSt George’s CentreVictoria Road, Netherfield,Nottingham

First Thursday morning ofeach month, 9am-11amNewstead CentreTilford Road, Newstead Village,Nottingham


Fun & Games

22

WORDSEARCHYou can win £25 in vouchers in our “Circus” wordsearch.Words go left, right, up, down, not diagonally, and can bend at aright angle. We have already found one for you!Please send your completed wordsearch to us. A winner will bepicked from the correct entries on Monday 1st June 2015.Return to: Wordsearch Competition,Gedling Homes,Gedling House, Wood Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4AD

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ACROBATBIG TOPCLOWN

FUNGYMNAST

HORSEJUGGLERMAGICIANPARADE

RINGMASTER

ROPE WALKERTICKET

TRAPEZETRICK

UNICYCLE

And thewinners are...Congratulations toSusan Little, Arnold.She receives £25 in shoppingvouchers in our wordsearch quiz.

And verywell done toAmelie,aged 8 fromCarltonwinner in theWintercolouringcompetition,she wins £25in vouchers.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And thePlease send yourcompleted colouringto us. A winnerwill be picked onMonday 1st June 2015.Return to:ColouringCompetition,Gedling Homes,Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling, Nottingham,NG4 4AD

COLOURME IN!

Name: ...........................................................................................................................Age:.................................

Telephone: ..............................................................................................................................................................

Address: ......................................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Your child / grandchild could win a £25 book token inour colouring competition.

CLOWN


Responsive repairsworks undertaken‘right first time’*

Year End Target: 99%

97.8%

Below target, looking to improve

OK, work in progress

On target, going well

Customer satisfactionwith responsive repairs


97.06%

All responsive repairscompleted on time*


98%

Customers satisfiedwith investment works


86.83%

Rent collection rate -rolling 12 monthperiod


100.09%

Re-let time - generalneeds and shelteredproperties (excludinglow demand)

Year End Target: 27 days

36.67 days

Customers reportinganti-social behaviourwho were satisfied withhow we dealt with it


91%

Customers satisfiedwith the condition ofproperty when theproperty was let


98.7%

RIGHT1ST

TIME

Our performance

23Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk* from commencement of GH Response 1st July 2014

2014-15


By sending us an e-mail:General enquiries:[email protected] Involvement:[email protected] writing to us at:Gedling Homes, Gedling House,Wood Lane, Gedling,Nottingham. NG4 4AD

In person:Please visit our CustomerContact Centre on the groundfloor at:The Civic Centre, Arnot HillPark, Arnold, NottinghamNG5 6LU.The opening times are 9.00am to5.00pm Monday to Thursday and9.00am to 4.30pm on Friday

This information is available in large print, audio and Braille.This information is from Gedling Homes. If you can tell us which language you speak, we willarrange for an interpreter. Or you can ask a friend or relative to phone us 0115 905 1515.

Chinese

Gujurati

Kurdish

Urdu

Polish

Contact usBy phone:24/7 Repairs line0115 905 1515Anti Social Behaviour(24 hours)0808 145 6555Rent Payments0161 331 2224(24 hour automatedpayment line)For all other enquiriesplease ring0115 905 1515and ask for the team youwant to speak to.

@Gedling_Homes

Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111

www.facebook.com/gedlinghomes


Gedling News and Views - Spring 2015

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Transcript of Gedling News and Views - Spring 2015