Housing Matters Swindon Summer 2014

Housing Matters

Housing

Summer edition 2014 | Issue 68

Your views, your ideas, your opportunitiesThis is a jumbo packed Housing Matters with lots of new training courses and tenant participation news.

Sheltered housing tenants – what’s your choice?

The magazine for Council Tenants

2 www.swindon.gov.uk/housing

Editorial team Donna LigginsCommunications Officer, HousingTel: 01793 464427Email: [email protected]

Arthur BransomTenant from WroughtonTel: 07902 836 989

John JefferiesTenant from RodbourneTel: 01793 430008Email: [email protected]

Paul BurgessTenant from PenhillTel: 07904 557 989

Phil LawrenceTenant from Park North

Peter ArmstrongTenant from Park NorthTel: 01793 539580

Thank You! The Housing Matters Editorial team would like to say a big thank you to Phil Lawrence for all of his time and effort in helping the magazine and being part of the team.

“Phil has a very keen eye for grammatical detail, which was great and very reassuring for the magazine’s quality. It’s a shame to be losing him but we wish him all the best in his new home and ventures.”

Says Donna Liggins, Housing Matters editor.

Housing Matters Voice your Choice.

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Our next phase of this Housing Matters delivery review is to separately ask how residents in Sheltered Schemes (please see page 15) wish to receive Housing Matters. We will also be contacting tenants who are blind or partially sighted to make them aware of, and ask, if they’d prefer an audio version on CD.

The delivery of Housing Matters is changing.

In collaboration with the magazine’s tenant editors we’re trialling to only print copies for tenants that have asked for one. Housing Matters will continue to be available online, in large print and an audio version.

Tenants can contact Donna to change their choice or ask for a printed copy any time. Tel: 01793 464427 or email: [email protected]

Gardening Tips - page 14

Sheltered Housing Tenants – Voice Your Choice on page 15

Audio copies also available on CD. For a copy please contact Donna as above.

Where can I pick up a copy?

4Neighbourhood Warden Base 4Libraries

4Community Centres 4One Stop Shop

RE:FRESH is a £60,000 improvement fund made available by Swindon Borough Council Housing with the aim of making your neighbourhoods safer, cleaner and tidier

Applications consisting of your ideas on how to improve an area within your neighbourhood, should come from and be for a group of residents which must include council tenants. Applications can also include or be submitted by homeowners, leaseholders and private rent tenants.

What Can The Funding Be Used For?Applications should be for improvements that will benefit as many residents as possible.

For example:

• Planting shrubs, creating communal gardens or improving the landscape in your area.

• Encouraging people to ‘grow their own’ and recreate wildlife habitats.

• Improving community safety and security by erecting fencing or installing lighting in murky areas.

• Creating a ‘No Dogs’ zone or small park for local children.

• Improving access to all in drying areas or gardens and pathways

• Replacing graffiti with a walled garden

For more information and to download an application form, please visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/refresh or contact Stuart on t: 01793 464286 or e: [email protected] Application forms can be sent to you.

your view, your skills, your neighbourhood

www.swindon.gov.uk/housing 3

Thanks for your views!We’ve done a survey based on Tenant Academy course ideas and the results are in!‘Keeping Yourself Safe’ first of many FREE Tenant Academy coursesFollowing our survey online and with the Housing Sounding Board, we are going to be offering sessions on Keeping Yourself Safe as a result of tenants views saying this is one of a few sought after courses.

This training will be starting in the Summer with the initial sessions being held in West Swindon. We then hope to extend this course to other areas.

Future plans include courses on basic home repairs, preventing condensation and mould and keeping your home warm as well as providing help with basic gardening skills as part of the RE:FRESH project. Feedback also suggested that people are interested in cooking courses, especially in improving their cooking with new menu ideas. Following the success of the Food Champions project in Penhill we are looking at offering more of these types of events and helping people to sign up to the Jamie Oliver courses run by The Learning Curve in Swindon. For more information on any of the above, please contact Lynn or Michele on t: 01793 464440 or e: [email protected]

Tenants and their families take part and enjoy a Tenant Academy Partnership food course.

5 Minute surveys tick tenants’ box!Over 850 of our tenants are taking part in surveys (online or via post), voicing their views on ideas and service improvements – why don’t you too? There are also prize draw opportunities! For more information or to sign up, please e: [email protected] or t: 01793 464286


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Bloomin’ MarvellousSwindon Borough Council Housing is again holding their annual Gardening Competition for Council Tenants and Leaseholders. Applications for the competition are to be in by Friday 18th July and tenants and leaseholders can enter into one of three categories; (1)Best House Garden, (2)Best Patio, Small Space or Balcony and (3)Best Hanging Basket, Window Box or Tub Category with prizes of £25-£50 vouchers for each category.

So if you’re proud of your beautiful garden or maybe help keep a part of your communal space looking lovely, have just started out on your gardening venture or have windowsills adorned with baskets and tubs

Don’t miss the chance of winning – enter today!Enter today by contacting Shelley:• By phone – Swindon 463673• By email – [email protected]• By text – 07769281643Deadline for applications Friday 18th July, 2014Judging will take place on Monday 4th August, 2014The Awards Presentation with the MayorThursday, 11th September, 2014 from 12 to 1.30pm

All applicants will be written to and advised of the decision in respect of their bedroom requirement and position on the Housing Register. In line with the Council’s Allocations policy, some applications will be removed from the Housing Register if their application is now considered ineligible because their bedroom requirement has been changed and they are now adequately housed and assessed as no longer being in housing need.

Each applicant has the right to a review and the procedure will be explained in the decision letter. Any questions, please contact the Homebid Team on t: 01793 445503 or alternatively e: [email protected]

Three and four bedroom applications under review

Everyone registered on the Housing Register for a three or four bedroom home has been written to explaining that their applications are being reviewed in line with the Council’s Allocations policy regarding the new bedroom requirement, implemented in April 2014. A review form was sent to all applicants to ensure we had up-to-date information of their housing circumstances and need. We requested that forms were returned by 31st May 2014, however, we will accept review forms received after this date.


A former City of London social housing tenant has been convicted of using counterfeit identity documents to obtain social housing. The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to five charges in relation to social-housing fraud and housing-benefit fraud, at the Old Bailey on 29th April 2014.

The City of London Corporation recovered possession of the fraudulently obtained property at an earlier hearing. The accused was given a 24-month sentence and was told that they will serve at least half of that sentence in prison, where they were immediately taken.

Swindon Borough Council will take firm action against those who commit tenancy fraud. We will consider the use of all legal options, which may include seeking a criminal conviction where a prison sentence is possible, in a bid to ensure fairness in the allocation and occupation of all Council tenancies. Currently, the Council is in the early stages of taking legal action for suspected tenancy fraud in Swindon.

Committing Tenancy Fraud could lead to a prison sentence…

It is important that the Council works with tenants to effectively combat fraudulent activity. If you are suspicious that tenancy fraud is being committed please contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or Barry Rees, Tenancy Support Manager (Enforcement) T: 01793 465893 E: [email protected]

Welcome Richard! We’d like to welcome Richard from David Stoddart Gardens as one of our latest volunteers and tenants who are getting involved and assisting Housing services.

Richard will be assisting Donna Liggins, Housing Communications Officer with photography, capturing those every day images that help bring our communications to life with local references.

Keen photographer yourself? Then why not join him? If you’d like to volunteer as a photographer or in some way (we have many) then please contact us! t: 01793 464427 or e: [email protected]

Housing would like to take this opportunity to thank Councillor Richard Hurley for his support to Housing, we wish him well with his new ventures serving as Cabinet Member for Communities and Volunteering.

And so, it is with a warm welcome that we introduce to you, Councillor Emma Faramazi, Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety who will be continuing Richard’s support for Housing.

‘I am incredibly excited with my recent appointment as Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety. An important part of my role is to ensure that we continue to work closely with our tenants and leaseholders on the services we provide. I recognise that however good a service we offer, there can always be improvements. I look forward to working with the range of well established tenant groups to see how we can do even better in your neighbourhood’.

With best wishes, Cllr Emma Faramarzi


Need work experience?

Why not consider a Traineeship with Swindon Borough Council Housing.If you are:

• Between 16 – 24 years old• Living in a Swindon Borough Council Property• Struggling to find a job as you have no work experience or• Unsure of what sort of work you want to do…

…Then a Traineeship could be for you!

Swindon Borough Council Housing and Swindon College are offering traineeships to our tenants and their families to help them get the work experience they need.A Traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience designed to give young people the skills and experience that employers are looking for

The programme includes:

• Work Preparation Training to help you build confidence

• English and Maths for those who need it

• 8 weeks of quality Work Experience within the Swindon Borough Council Housing Department

Traineeships are unpaid but travel expenses will be paid and all equipment will be provided.

Available Opportunities:Neighbourhood Wardens – if you would prefer to do something hands on and like to be out and about meeting people, then this is the role for you. Our Neighbourhood Wardens help to keep our estates clean and safe. Day to day duties include inspecting the condition of communal areas in blocks of flats, reporting repairs, dealing with customer queries and dealing with environmental issues such as removing fly-tipping, graffiti and litter.

Office Administration – if you would prefer to do administrative duties in an office environment you may be interested in this role. Working with one of the Housing Teams, your duties are likely to include using Word and Excel to input data onto our computer system, dealing with customers by phone and e-mail and organising meetings.

No experience is needed for either role. All we are looking for is a willingness to learn. Work experience will be for 20 – 30 hours per week.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Lynn Jarvie t: 01793 464003 or e: [email protected]

Tenant Academy assists Tenant Groups


Donated computer equipment prompts IT Skills course for Sheltered Housing residentsResidents at Peter Furkins Court, Westcott Place now have a dedicated computer room, with equipment donated by local company Martcom.

The Tenant Academy has managed to arrange training for residents who want to learn how to use computers but have no previous experience.

The training will start with the real basics of how to turn the computer on and over several weeks, residents increase their skills in areas such as setting up and using email, social media and learning how to use the internet safely.

A similar project will be introduced at George Tweed Gardens, Shaw over the next few weeks.

Please contact Lynn or Michele if you are interested in attending on t: 01793 464440 or e: [email protected] of our tenants.

Coming soon… Flexible TenanciesSome key facts: -

• Later this summer, tenancies of a fixed term period, known as flexible tenancies, will be offered to all new tenants of the Council (excluding those moving into sheltered accommodation). 10 year tenancies will be offered to families with children and 5 year tenancies will be offered to people without children.

• When the flexible tenancy ends, it is anticipated that many tenants will be offered new flexible tenancies (or secure tenancies if moving into sheltered accommodation). Reviews of the tenancy

will take place at least 9 months before the tenancy is due to end and, where circumstances have changed, the Council will discuss fully with tenants and act proportionately to determine the best way forward.

• Existing secure tenants are unaffected by these changes, and those looking to move homes will keep their secure tenancies if they remain tenants of Swindon Borough Council.

If you require any further information, please contact Barry Rees, Tenancy Support Manager (Enforcement) on t: 01793 465893 e: [email protected]

Swindon Tenant’s Voice raises training interest for Intro to Social Housing course The Tenant Academy is bringing in the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) to run a one day programme for tenants on ‘An Introduction to Social Housing’ which was something raised as being of interest at a recent Swindon Tenant’s Voice meeting.

‘We are also talking to TPAS about offering their ‘Easy Chair’ training in Swindon. This training aims to give people the skills and confidence they need to chair meetings’ says Lynn Jarvie, Lead Tenant Academy Officer.

Both of these opportunities are likely to run in the autumn and are available to all of our tenants.

Please contact Lynn or Michele if you are interested in attending on t: 01793 464440 or e: [email protected]


Tenants Association for Sheltered HousingAnnual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting took place at the Civic Offices on Monday, 16th June and was very well attended.

Having now completed the membership review, this once again marked a time of change for the group as the Elected Representatives and Observer Members for the coming year were confirmed.

Most significant of these changes was the appointment of Graham Overbury from Markham Place who, having previously been Vice-Chair, now succeeds Phil Lawrence as TASH Chair.

Although standing-down from this role, Phil will be continuing as an Observer Member and was thanked by both Housing officers and the group for the important contribution and commitment that he has made.

In reviewing the past year, Phil said that this had been very challenging. Among the many things discussed and considered have been the new Anti-Social Behaviour Guide, Digital Inclusion, and storage of Mobility Scooters.

TASH aims to promote the interests of all the Council’s sheltered housing tenants and in moving forward would like to encourage more people to come along to their meetings, ensuring that all schemes are represented.

The AGM concluded with an insightful presentation by Doug Bale, Adult Safeguarding Manager, on safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse.

Including discussion of a number of different scenarios, this raised awareness of the various types of abuse that might occur, the processes for protecting adults at risk and the agencies involved – It’s everyone’s responsibility to know about and report abuse.

The next TASH meeting will be held at 2pm, at the Civic Offices, on Monday, 4th August 2014. For more information please get in touch with Paul Wilkins on t: 01793 463677 or e: [email protected]

Tenants Association for Sheltered Housing (TASH) – Annual General meeting

Congratulations!Housing would like to say a big well done to all of our apprentices who have worked so hard this year.

The Apprentice of the Year Award goes to Sophie Lloyd who has been working in the Supported Housing team at Underwood House, Stratton.

Teresa White, Supported Housing Co-ordinator for Underwood House says,

“Sophie has been with us in Supported Housing this year and it has been a pleasure to have her working with us.

Sophie has developed into a very capable support worker and is liked by the residents, their children and her colleagues.

Sophie has a balanced approach to the support work and has been patent regarding her own learning, this has enabled her to gain the confidence required to do the 1-1 work.

We recognise Sophie’s strengths in reliability, motivation, resilience and empathy. Sophie is very skilled at report writing and has really good listening skills.

A good sense of humour is important in our work together with the need to challenge an individual when required, Sophie has demonstrated these qualities on a regular basis.

We believe that it takes a great deal of trust for some residents to accept someone new knowing their business, however Sophie has been readily accepted by the residents”.

www.swindon.gov.uk/housing 98 www.swindon.gov.uk/housing

The Tenant Scrutiny Panel (TSP) has had a busy few months. We have welcomed two new members to the Panel: Adam Ward, and Nikki Goodrum, both of whom are halfway through Law degrees, and so will both be welcome assets to the Panel.

The Neighbourhood Warden Review is now fully signed off, and many of our recommendations have been implemented. We are just beginning our third review; focussing on Council tenant evictions. There was a slight increase in the number of tentants evicted last year and the Scrutiny Panel want to understand the reason(s) behind the increase. It is hoped that this review will be available, in full, complete with any recommendations, by October 2014.

As part of our work as the TSP, we also form the Tenants Complaints Panel, which deals and hears tenant complaints, as the final stage before the Housing Ombudsman becomes involved. This is a very important role that members of the Panel undergo specialist and detailed training for. As a Panel, we have just dealt with our first complaint.

We receive regular training so our jobs can be carried out thoroughly, and fairly. This training also forms part of our Level 3 CIH qualification; which some of us will be working towards.

And as if we didn’t have a full enough agenda already, we have been asked to be involved in Staff Induction training to identify to new members of staff, who we are and what we do!

During the course of this magazine being put together, we will have attended the ‘Scrutiny Lounge’ on 5th June; a networking event designed for Scrutiny Panels, all over the UK, so hopefully, some useful contacts will have been made.

By the time you read this, we will have also played host to a visiting Scrutiny Panel on 12th June, whereby we hope to be able to exchange ideas, and methods of work.

We still have space for another couple of Panel members, so if you like what you are reading here, and feel you would like to join us, then please contact either me, Kate Moore (Chair), or Stuart Hook, Tenant Participation Lead Officer on t: 01793 464286 or e: [email protected]

Tenant Scrutiny Panel New members, New reviews, Hosts and Training

The 2014 STAR Survey – Customer SatisfactionThe full report of how satisfied Swindon’s tenants are with the service that they receive will soon be on the Swindon Borough Council website. More details will be in the Tenant Scrutiny Panel’s Annual Report to tenants (available in the Autumn).

In the meantime, we’re very pleased to be able to show you some good news. You have told us that, overall, we have improved and you, the tenant, are more satisfied…

Comparison with previous Surveys: Have we improved?

This table shows satisfaction rates in comparison to satisfaction surveys carried out in 2006 and 2008.

Description 2013 2008 2006

1. Overall Satisfaction with Housing Service

85% 72% 75%

2. Satisfaction with the quality of your home

79% 77%

3. Satisfaction with the neighbourhood as a place to live

86% 74% 74%

4. Rent paid provides good value for money

80% 76% 76%

5. Satisfaction in dealing with repairs

79% 70% 71%

6. Satisfaction with opportunities for views being taken into account

63% 54% 49%

7. Being informed by the Council as landlord

83% 70% 78%

Over the three surveys (2006, 2008 & 2013), the same seven questions were asked.

The key finding here is that current satisfaction levels are higher than in both 2006 and 2008.


The Neighbourhood Wardens are running the Young Wardens scheme in Wroughton, Stratton, Pinehurst and Eldene/Liden areas from 28 July this summer, for children who live in Council Housing.

Young Wardens (aged between 7-11) take part in 3 hour sessions once a week, to help their community, learn new things and best of all – make new friends and have fun!

They’ll be helping the Neighbourhood Wardens keep the areas safe, clean and tidy as well as learning about personal safety, recycling, meeting Police and Fire teams and lots, lots more!

‘The Young Wardens programme is in its 4th successful year now and is a great scheme for children to be a part of. It’s now recognised by partners such as the Police, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Streetsmart, and Recycling… as an exciting way for children to be involved in the area where they live in a positive way’, says Pete Holohan, Neighbourhood Warden Manager.

If you’re interested in becoming a Young Warden, please, with adults consent, contact:

Stratton Maxine Clifford 01793 703679 07557541746

Pinehurst Dave Pestana 01793 464081

Wroughton Trevor Cole 07919111467 Alex Brown 07824537695 or 01793 521865

Eldene/Liden Terry Tucker 01793 521865 07786020937

You can also visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwardens or e: [email protected]

Adults please read!

Young Wardens is a free voluntary scheme which will run through the school holidays as 3hr sessions each week. We’re looking for boys and girls of all abilities to take part between the ages of 7 and 11 years old.

Young Wardens will need to be dropped off and picked up promptly at the designated times and locations.

Children will be under adult supervision at all times by Neighbourhood Wardens, who have been CRB checked and have First Aid knowledge.

Each child will be given a Young Wardens t-shirt as part of a uniform to wear at each session, kindly supplied by Michael’s Workwear, Gorsehill.

We will provide light refreshments, kindly supplied by Tesco, and aim to reward the children whenever possible with trips and certificates for their efforts.

K I D S ! Do you want something to do in the summer

holiday that’s fun, F R E E and will help the area you live in?

Then why not be a Young Warden!


A three way exchange with three Swindon Borough Council tenants has recently taken place.

We asked them for some feedback on how they found the exchange process when they came into the Council and signed the Deed of Assignment.

1) What made you decide to exchange?

Tenant 1: I wanted to downsize

Tenant 2: and I wanted to upsize.

2) How did you find this exchange?

Tenant 3: It was complicated at the beginning due to the Mutual Exchange policy being tightened, but after that it was quite simple and quick.

3) Is there anything we could do better?

Tenant 2: The letters were a bit confusing, but we understand that they have just recently been updated so hopefully they will be clearer and easier to understand.

4) Would you recommend a mutual exchange as a good way to find a new property?

Yes! It’s a very good, simple way of finding a new property.

Mutual Exchange for Multiple TenanciesMutual Exchange FactsTop 3 reasons for exchanging:

1. Up-sizing,

2. Down-sizing and

3. Moving closer to friends and family.

The largest exchange we have managed was a 5 way exchange. All tenants involved were Swindon Borough Council tenants.

Number of completed exchanges for 2013/2014 – 232; of which 214 tenants exchanging were within Swindon and 18 tenants exchanged out of the Borough.

Part 7 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill aimed at dealing with irresponsible dog owners who allow their dog to attack people or their assistance dogs, came into effect in May 2014.

Dog owners can now face prosecution if their dog attacks a person in their home or on any private property, except if they attack a trespasser.

The maximum sentences for allowing a dog to attack someone have also been substantially increased. The maximum prison sentences in England and Wales are now:

Up to 14 years, from two years, for a fatal dog attack.

Up to five years, from two years, for injury.

Up to three years if an assistance dog is attacked.

Irresponsible dog owners will also be liable for prosecution regardless of where an attack takes place, even in their own home. This will give protection to those who provide services in the community – housing officers, postal workers, nurses, utility workers - as well as people visiting in the area.

For the first time, the Dangerous Dogs Act also includes a specific offence to protect assistance dogs from attacks.

The changes also see new preventative powers for the police and local authorities so they can act early to stop dog attacks before they occur. These measures include steps the dog owner can take to address their own or their dog’s behaviour, for example:

• Attending dog training classes.

• Repairing fencing to their property to prevent the dog escaping.

• Requiring their dog to be muzzled in public.

Further measures to help tackle irresponsible dog ownership will come in to force in April 2016 when micro-chipping will be a legal requirement for all dogs in England, and from March 2015 in Wales.

Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act now in force

A tenant has been temporarily banned from one of our properties following serious issues of anti-social behaviour. The Council were first made aware of the issues on the 30 May 2014 and attended Court on 3 June 2014, moving quickly to protect affected residents.

A tenant of the Council has been given a Court Order (ASB injunction) following an assault on a staff member of Swindon Borough Council.

The Council have been successful in obtaining a Court Order against an individual following persistent ASB in north Swindon.

Finally, the Council are currently in the process of evicting a tenant who was involved in serious criminal and anti-social behaviour.

If you require any further information, please contact Barry Rees, Tenancy Support Manager (Enforcement) on t: 01793 465893 e: [email protected]

My Housing TenancyMy Housing Tenancy is an online service which you can register for and then view your account details.

You’ll be able to see a rent balance, who your Neighbourhood Housing Officer is, request repairs and view/update your personal details.

To register simply have your tenancy/ rent reference number and follow these steps:

1. Go to www.swindon.gov.uk/myhousingtenancy

2. Click on the ‘My Housing Tenancy’ link within the page, which will redirect you to

3. The register/login page

4. Click on ‘Register’ in the left hand side menu

5. You’ll be asked to enter your name, date of birth and reference number and create a User ID and password for logging in at future visits.

Once you have registered, you can login at future visits using the User ID and password you have created.

If you forget your User ID or password, please re-register by doing the same process as above.

Anti-social behaviour, supporting victims with strong action...

Staff training helps to improve service deliverySheltered Housing Officers have recently attended fire safety awareness training at the Drove Road fire station, which included a simulation of entering a smoke filled house.

“We were shown the equipment by the Fire & Rescue team on the fire engine and what it was used for. We then had the chance to go through the smoke house, a mock-up of a house with furniture etc which was dark and filled with smoke, it felt strange to have your sense of sight taken away and how frightening it might be if you were to get caught in a fire.” Says Sheltered Housing Officer, Wendy Weids.

This was in aid of raising awareness for home safety, prior to the brigade attending coffee mornings at schemes and visiting individual premises to discuss Fire Safety.


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A burglar can be in and out of your home in minutes.Always lock your doors and windows - even when you’re in.

1 in 4 burglaries are a result of insecurities.

A burglar can be in and out of your home in minutes, yet it only takes a minute to lock your doors and windows.

Keep doors and windows locked - even when you are in. Keep valuables out of view in case a burglar looks through your door or window. Make sure your home is locked if you are in the garden having a BBQ or hanging out the washing. Lock garages and sheds. Don’t leave tools and ladders out, they could be used to commit a burglary. Make sure you clear your car of valuables and lock it. Put packaging for expensive items in the bin or take it to be recycled. Don’t advertise what’s in your house.

Remember it only takes a minute to secure your property.

LOCK UP OR LOSE OUT!

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“courtesy of West Yorkshire Police”

Courtesy of West Yorkshire Police.


This year will be even bigger and better with loads of stuff for all the family including rides, workshops on cupcake decorating, fitness, gardening, face painting, tea dancing, arts and crafts. Plus the raffle, bbq, tea tent, Swindon Academy Year 7 video, football and loads, loads more.

Great afternoon for all the family to enjoy

see you there!

Pinehurst Fun Day on The Circle12th July 1.30pm to 5pm

If anyone would like to help out at the Fun Day to make it such a fantastic event please contact Michelle John on 07443647096 we really can’t do it without people giving a little bit of their time to help.

Organised by Pinehurst Initiative Forum

Lemon Garlic ChickenIngredients needed 1 chicken –jointed, 3 lemons, 10 cloves of garlic, peeled. Salt & pepper to taste. 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

Lets cook! Preheat oven to 190C, Gas 5.

Put the chicken pieces in a roasting tin.

Slice the lemons in half and juice them.

Add the juice and the lemon rinds to the chicken, with the garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.

Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes – Mix once during cooking.

Serve with roasted vegetables – Toss some carrots, potatoes, parsnips and sweet potatoes in a dash of vegetable oil.

Put in a roasting tin and cook in the oven at the same time as the chicken to save energy and money.

Healthy hints:

• Check the chicken is thoroughly cooked - the juices should run clear on the largest piece.

• To prevent cross contamination wash hands and equipment after contact with raw meat.

Money saver! Chicken legs are cheaper than chicken breast. Turkey is often cheaper than chicken.

Did you know? Garlic has strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties helping to cleanse your blood.


e-Housinge-housing is a monthly email of news and updates from Housing and partnering services. It has details of staff changes, ways in which you can volunteer, details of events and activities, money saving schemes, as well as opportunities for you to feedback on Housing services.

Want to receive it? Then simply email Donna Liggins on: [email protected] with your full name and preferred email address, home address, or call 01793 464427.

Great charitable achievement!The Food Bank collects donations from Cockram Court who, last year, donated 2% of their total collections in Swindon. Well done and thank you for your generosity.


Swindon Borough CouncilTel: 01793 445500

All Housing and Repairs enquiriesTel: 01793 445503Email: [email protected]

Neighbourhood WardensTel: 01793 464081Email: [email protected]

Get Involved – Tenant ParticipationTel: 01793 463673 / 463677Email: [email protected]

StreetSmart – WasteTel: 01793 445501

Residential ParkingTel: 01793 445506

Rent payments by phoneTel: 0845 603 5058

Useful contact details

Young Mums-To-Be launched in June 2014 and supports young parents through pregnancy, birth and beyond with its 4 courses:

• Antenatal care and preparation for birth.

• Caring for a young baby from birth to six months

• Responsibilities of caring for a young baby

• Using planning skills to make a resource for a baby

Courses are held across Wiltshire and Swindon. To find your nearest course and for more information please call The Learning Curve Young Parents Team t: 01225 792500 or e: [email protected]

Swindon Courses are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 3pm at the Oaktree Annexe Swindon

Get Alive ‘n’ Kicking in Swindon!

Swindon Borough Council, is launching ‘Alive ’n’ Kicking’, a 10-week programme to encourage healthy eating and physical activity for children, young people and the family as a whole. The free sessions for 5-16 year olds will run throughout the borough and easily accessible venues from September 2014.

Alive ‘N’ Kicking is a specialist children’s and young people’s weight management programme which involves the whole family and includes a process for increasing physical activity in all family members and provides support, education and practical ways to improve family diet.

Natalie Coghlan, National Project Manager added: “Alive ’N’ Kicking has proven to be a great success for families that want to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We support and empower all family members to achieve their goals, alongside other families doing exactly the same – and when the programme has been run previously, 100% of parents have said their child’s eating habits have improved.”

If you are interested in attending the service or you would like to make a referral, please contact Emma Sperring on t: 01793 465412 or t: 07818 510563. For more information about Alive ‘n’ Kicking visit the website at www.ank.uk.com

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Data ProtectionThe information you provide will be used to improve our services and answer your questions. It may be shared with other departments in the Council to make the necessary improvements.

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Voice your Choice

Sheltered Housing Residents – what’s your choice?

As you have hopefully read on page 2, Housing Matters is going through some changes, in several ways.Here we’d like to know how you’d like to receive Housing Matters in the future. Please choose one option, complete your name and address, email too if needed and return this form, by tear, fold, lick and stick – FREEPOST

Name:

Address:

Post code:

Whilst we have your attention…What did you think of this magazine?

What about the articles? What would you like to read in the next issue?

I would like to continue receiving Housing Matters as a magazine delivered through my door.

I am happy to share copies/borrow from my Communal lounge.

I wish to listen to Housing Matters online, please email the link when it’s ready

I wish to listen to Housing Matters on a CD

Email:

Let’s RideEnjoy free guided rides in your area. For all abilities, from easy to challenging.Sign up atgoskyride.com

Communications Officer, Housing, FREEPOST SN178, Swindon SN1 2BR

Swindon has been chosen as one of more than 100 locations across the country to host British Cycling’s Sky Ride Local programme, which means everyone can take advantage of a host of free cycle rides across the Borough this summer.

There are 35 rides of varying distance taking place to brighten up budding cyclists’ Sundays between June and September. Ranging from three to 30 miles, there’s a Sky Ride suitable for all abilities and each ride is led by an experienced and qualified cycle leader to guide and support riders along the way.

Neil Daycock, one of the local Sky Ride leaders, said: “We put a lot of effort into making the routes as scenic and interesting as possible. So whether you’ve never cycled before or have already got the bike bug, I encourage everyone to give it a go and sign up. That’s the wonderful thing about cycling – you meet lovely people, go to great places and get fitter in the process. The sky really is the limit!”

Registration for the free rides is now open and residents are encouraged to join in and tell their family and friends. To sign up or find out more go online at www.goskyride.com

Free summer fun for all the family

Housing Matters Swindon Summer 2014

Documents

Transcript of Housing Matters Swindon Summer 2014