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heartof the matter

Winter 2011 | Issue 5

INSIDECover Story: Young people get creative

Bryn Farm fun day

Time banking is launched

Equalities Panel news

heartof the matter

Merry Christmas

to you all

If you would like to contact Tai Calon you can phone us on 0300 303 1717

If you wish to report a repair, enquire about your rent, or would like to speak to a member of staff from Tai Calon please telephone 0300 303 1717

Write to or visit us at: Solis One, Rising Sun Industrial Estate Blaina NP13 3JW

Email us: info@taicalon.org www.taicalon.org

Contentsz Cover story p3

z Walkabouts in your area p4

z Time banking is launched p5

z Changes to housing benefit p6

z Spooky day at Bryn Farm p7

z Internal Improvements p8

z How we are doing? p9

z Making strides forward p10

z Policies developed with tenants p11

z Environmental monitors hit your streets p12

z Tenants resource room news p13

z The first annual general meeting p14

Keep me Articles: Information you may want to keep

z Electrical safety over the Christmas period p15

z Asbestos advice p16

z Fire safety p18

Contact us

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Take a look at what’s on offer in Blaenau Gwent Sports Centres

We have something for everyone

p10

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A ground breaking media skills project for young people was officially launched on the 18th of November at Tai Calon’s Offices.

‘Cre8’ is providing young people not in mainstream education with training opportunities in the graphic design and media sector.

In September, Young Wales, the social enterprise that manages the project, set itself up at Tai Calon’s Offices in Blaina.

Cre8 introduces young people to the world of media and has been providing alternative education programmes for those aged 14 – 16 from Blaenau Gwent who aren’t in

mainstream education. It has been developed to engage young people through the creative industries – allowing them to experience practical learning and develop skills that could lead to a career in the creative sector.

Young Wales is working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Education Team. Nigel Young, Head of Behaviour Support & Individual Pupil Tuition Services at Blaenau Gwent LEA said,

“At Blaenau Gwent we always aim to meet the needs of children on an individual basis – be this school, college or work experience. Young Wales’ programme is fulfilling a big role in education provision.

Cre8 gives a real outlet for 14 – 16 year olds with a creative talent to develop skills in a way that suits them – developing a talent through commercial experience that they just couldn’t get at school.”

Aran Knight age 16 from Abertillery said ‘I enjoy working in the studio but prefer to be behind the camera. I am interested in learning how to video edit and hope to become a trainer at Young Wales in the future and help other young people.’

For more information on the Cre8 project contact Hayley Selway on 0300 303 1717.

Young Wales Open its Doors at Tai Calon

Cover Story

Walkabouts in your area

Tredegar Valley Jan Feb MarGeorgetown 14thSirhowy - Lower 24thCefn Golau 10th 21st 27thAshvale 31st 13thTown Centre 28thYsguborwen 7th 20thNantybwch & Tafarnaubach 17th 6thDukestown 3rd

Ebbw Vale Valley Jan Feb MarBeaufortGarnlydan 28thRassau - Lower 13thRassau - Upper 21st 27thHilltop Upper 1 (Shakespeare Cres – Upper Tredegar Road) 17th 6th

Hilltop Upper 2 (Darby Cres – Trenant) 20thGwaun Helyg (Wordsworth Close – Charles Court) 7th

Hilltop – Lower (Shopping Centre Flats – Islwyn Close) 10th

Briery Hill 3rdNewtown 31stGlyncoed 14thCwm 24th

Ebbw Fach Valley Jan Feb MarTwyncynghordy 5thGurnos Estate 8thBrynfarm 2nd 22ndWest Side, Blaina 15thWinchestown 26thCoed Cae 9th 29thFfoesmaen 19thBeaumont Close 23rdRoseheyworth 12thBrynithel 16thSwffrwyd 1st

Where to meet

Tredegar Estate Walks – all meet at 10.00am on Tuesdays

Georgetown – Peacehaven Court car park area

St Georges Court & Tredegar Town Centre – Outside block of flats 88 – 103

Sirhowy Lower – St James Way Car Park area to side of 51 St James Way

Ysguborwen – outside shop / 1 Ysguborwen

Cefn Golau – community house 87 Attlee Way

Ashvale – Griffiths Square car park

Nantybwch & Tafarnaubach – outside Nantybwch & Waundeg Community Flat, 81 Waundeg

Dukestown – near no. 1 Ystrad Deri

Ebbw Vale Estate Walks – all meet at 12.00pm on Tuesdays

Rassau Upper – Rassau Community Centre

Newtown – Princes Court car park

Rassau Lower – Outside Ty Bryn Social Club

Gwaun Helyg – Parking area of Wordsworth Close

Garnlydan – Info Shop

Hilltop Upper 1 and 2 & Hilltop Lower the Hilltop Shopping Centre Flats

Beaufort Estate entrance to Bryn Coch

Cwm – meet near the school on Canning Street (Llandafel Court and Emlyn Road to follow)

Glyncoed car park Glanffryd Court

Briery Hill entrance to RTBs Rugby Club

Do you want to make a difference in your neighbourhood? Come and join us on a estate walkabout. Got an idea for a bit of waste ground near your home? Let us know what improvements you would make to your neighbourhood.

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For more information on the Great Neighbourhoods’ scheme contact the Community Investment and Involvement Team on 0300 303 1717.

Abertillery, Blaina & Brynmawr all meet at 10.00am on Thursdays

Twyncynghordy meet at Twyncynghordy shop

Brynithel meet at car park near No. 1 Hafodarthen Bungalows

Ffosmaen meet at Ffosmaen Inn

West Side Blaina meet at car park entrance to Forgeside (Parry Jones Close)

Brynfarm meet at entrance to estate

Coedcae meet at Community Centre

Swffryd meet outside Swffryd Shopping Centre

Winchestown – meet at entrance to Waunheulog

Cwmcelyn – meet at car park Troed-y-Bryn Bungalows

Cwmtillery – meet at Valley View

Brynfarm – meet at entrance to estate

Coedcae – meet at Community Centre

Roseheyworth meet at car park rear of 42 Arael View at 10 am and Upper Arael View

Beaumont Close meet at car park

Gurnos Estate – meet at entrance of estate

Time banking is launchedTIMED – Tai Calon’s time banking scheme was officially launched on the 15th of November 2011 at our offices with tenants, Board Members and partners giving it their support.

Time banking is a scheme that recognises the time volunteers give to projects. For every two hours a tenant or community member works with Tai Calon they will be awarded a time credit e.g. if you attend an estate walkabout you will receive one time credit or if you give half a day to a community project you will be awarded two credits.

Time credits can be used in Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s sport centres, Coleg Gwent’s Hair and Beauty Department, EVI (formerly Ebbw Vale Institute), Supertubes at the Festival Site in Ebbw Vale and for a range of day trips organised by Tai Calon.

For more information on TIMED please contact Chloe Williams on 0300 303 1717.

Time Invested Makes Every Difference

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The Government is planning to make significant changes to welfare payments, including housing benefit. Many of the details have not been finalised but, based on what ministers have said they want to do, this is what we would expect to happen if their proposals become law:

• Deductions from housing benefit for non-claiming adults in the household have already been increased and will continue to do so each year to 2014.

From October 2013:

• If you are of working age and living in a council or housing association home that is larger than your household size (e.g. a couple living in a two bedroom home) you will lose part of your housing benefit.

• The overall amount of benefit an out-of-work household can receive will be capped at the average earnings of a working household (expected to be in the region of £500 per week). Households with someone claiming Disability Living Allowance or Working Tax Credit, or with a war widow, will be exempt from the cap.

• New benefit claimants will receive a single payment of Universal Credit instead of separate payments for housing, income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and tax credits. Existing claimants will be moved across to the new Credit between 2013 and 2017.

Find out moreIf you would like more information about the planned changes please contact Sarah Freeman, Financial Inclusion Manager on 0300 303 1717, Shelter Cymru or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Take actionYou can email or write to your MP to raise your concerns about these changes. Community Housing Cymru, the membership body for housing associations in Wales, has produced a message you can use which you can find here: www.chcymru.org.uk/chc_dev_final//key-issues/welfare-reform.cfm

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each year to 2014.

of separate payments for housing, income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance

Changes to housing benefit

Spooky day at Bryn Farm

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Spooky day at Bryn FarmSpooky day at Bryn FarmChildren and adults alike had fun at Bryn Farm’s ‘Community Clean Up Day’ held on the 25th and 26th October 2011.

Tai Calon opened one of its houses as a base for fun activities which included face painting, a visit from the Fire Service and a live broadcast from Brynmawr FM.

The day was organised as part of the Neighbourhoods Together scheme, a project developed through partnership working between the community, the Police, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Tai Calon.

Residents and young people of Bryn Farm and the Gurnos Estate in Brynmawr had access, over two days, to community skips and worked with Keep Wales Tidy litter picking and clearing overgrown areas.

Similar projects will be running throughout Blaenau Gwent in the next few months. For more information on ‘Neighbourhoods Together’ contact Bridget Powell on 0300 303 1717.

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The second year of internal improvements is now well under way with tenants in Brynithel, Waunheulog, Nantybwch and Waundeg, Sirhowy, Peacehaven, Cwm and Newtown receiving new kitchens, bathrooms and rewires.

We have nine contractors currently working on our estates throughout Blaenau Gwent to improve the quality of tenants’ homes and investing in these communities.

On the technical side we’ve got teams of Technical Officers working with our contractors to make sure the agreed works are completed to the correct specification and quality. The Technical Officer will be able to give you advice on the works as they progress.

To support tenants when the internal works are ongoing Tai Calon has four Tenant Liaison Officers (TLO’s), Cath Griffiths, Fernando Greco, Ceri Morgan and Emma Ridout. The TLO’s role is to ensure tenants are happy throughout the works process and the finished kitchen, bathroom and/ or rewire.

How will the TLO support you if works are being undertaken in your home?

• Carry out a needs assessment to establish if you need any additional support whilst works are undertaken at your home

• Present kitchen and bathroom choices to you

• Explain how long work will take, the level of disruption and contact details of the site staff working in your area

• Provide boxes to pack things away if you need them

• Visit you just before works start and regularly when works are being undertaken in your home

• Have a drop in surgery on site and be contactable by mobile phone if you have any issues when the contractor is in your home

• Carry out a satisfaction questionnaire with you at the end of the work to establish if you were happy with the process and the finished kitchen/ bathroom or rewire.

Internal improvements

PLEASE NOTE ALL OFFICERS AND CONTRACTORS WORKING FOR TAI CALON COMMUNITY HOUSING MUST PRESENT AN ID BADGE TO YOU. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE MAY NOT BE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE CONTACT OUR CALL CENTRE ON 0300 303 1717

TargetActual

2011/12 Aug

Actual 2011/12

Sept

Actual 2011/12

Oct

Responsive repairs - emergency repairs on target (%) 97.50% 96.74% 96.74% 96.55%

Responsive repairs - urgent repairs on target (%) 95% 97.28% 97.32% 96.86%

Responsive repairs - non-urgent repairs on target (%) 92% 76.72% 78.24% 79.97%

WHQS Items Installed (cumulative): Aug Sept Oct· Kitchens 800 88 154 223

· Bathrooms 640 77 120 186

· Rewires 300 26 50 92

· Roofs 300 79 140 195

· Heating 850 448 543 617

% tenants who rated the improvement works programme as good or excellent

90% 100% 100% 100%

% tenants who rated the overall repairs process as good or excellent

97% 97% 93% 93%

Percentage of ASB cases dealt with to the satisfaction of the complainant.

82% 100% 83% 50%

% of tenants who are members as a percentage of the Tai Calon tenant population

8% 5.44% 5.44% 5.65%

% of complaints answered within agreed timescales 100% 100% 100% 100%

How are we doing?

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We want to improve the services we deliver to you. The following information lets you know how we are performing.

This new method is currently being trialled and tested and, when available, will be a great help for tenants with hearing or speech impairments, who choose SMS text as their preferred way of communicating on a day to day basis. Full details will be announced later this year once the trial has been completed and any teething troubles ironed out before the official launch. This system will then be further developed by Tai Calon to enable tenants to access a wider choice of services and improve communications between tenants and landlord.

Between the 24th – 26th August 2011, a group of Tai Calon staff carried out a selection process to choose a training company to deliver training in Equalities and Diversity to all Tai Calon staff. This course will

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Equalities Panel Member Ann Ingram gives an update on what the Panel has been involved in on behalf of tenants over the last few months.

The Equalities Panel, which has been in existence since February 2011, continues to

help Tai Calon develop its service capability in order to meet the requirements of tenants with specific needs.

It has come up with a number of innovative suggestions to help all tenants make the most of their individual relationship with the Tai Calon organisation and its staff.

For instance, the Panel suggested an idea which is now being developed into a new method for tenants to report various problems by SMS text using their mobile phone. A special number will, for example, be made

available for repairs to be reported by text with an automated response from Tai Calon to confirm an appointment time for the repair to be carried out.

Making strides forward

Policies developed with tenants

be delivered to small groups of staff comprising a cross section of tradesmen, front line officers and admin staff. Tai Calon Board Members and members of the Equalities Panel will also receive this important training, which is aimed at providing recipients with a greater understanding of equality and diversity issues in our local and wider communities.

In October the Equalities Panel met to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) of Tai Calon’s Repairs Policy. The purpose of this assessment was to determine whether the policy would indirectly discriminate against any tenants with specific needs or characteristics. Under the Equality Act of 2010, these specific needs are referred to as “Protected Characteristics” and include:

• Race

• Age

• Gender

• Gender re-assignment

• Disability

• Sexual orientation

• Religion or belief

• Civil Partnership

• Pregnancy and Maternity

Several key action points emerged from the assessment process with the Panel recommending changes to the Policy and process necessary to prevent potential discrimination to tenants with “Protected Characteristics”.

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These action points will be put forward to be included in the Annual Review of the Policy due in January 2012.

The Panel will continue to carry out Equality Impact Assessments on Tai Calon’s key policies over the next six months, which will make a real contribution in shaping the way Tai Calon delivers services to all its tenants and leaseholders. If you would like to help make a difference by joining the Panel, please contact Andy MacDougall on 0300 300 1717, who will be pleased to discuss with you how you could contribute to this lively and passionate group.

Ann Ingram Panel member

Tenants have been working hard with officers to develop a range of policies. Below are the policies developed to date:

• Rent Arrears

• Service Charges

• Rent Setting

• Tenancy Agreements

• Tenant Involvement

• Single Equalities Plan

• Customer Care and Access

• Pets Policy

• Rechargeable Repairs

• Gas Servicing

• Decant policy

• Eviction policy

• Domestic Abuse

• Mutual Exchange

• Starter Tenancy

• Joint Tenancy and Relationship Breakdown

• Decoration Allowance

• Adaptations

If you would like information on how you can get involved in working with officers to develop Tai Calon policies call Kelsey Watkins on 0300 303 1717.

Environmental monitors hit your streets

Tenants will be filling in short monthly questionnaires that contain questions about litter, grass cutting and grounds maintenance on Tai Calon estates. Information from the questionnaires will be used to improve services to tenants. Our current team of Environmental Monitors are listed below:

Mrs R Watkins Wordsworth Close

Hilltop Ebbw Vale

Mrs Sandra Badham Arael View AbertilleryMrs Elaine Bowen Attlee Way Cefn Golau TredegarMrs Christine Smith Adams Square Newtown Ebbw ValeMrs Jean Gould Peacehaven TredegarMiss Yvonne Price Ysgurborwen Sirhowy Tredegar

Mrs Janet Price Valley View Cwmtillery AbertilleryMiss Julie Price Hafodarthen

EstateBrynithel Abertillery

Miss Jen Griffiths Tredegar Rd Hilltop Ebbw ValeMr & Mrs Mike and Angela Roberts

Bevans Crescent

Glyncoed Ebbw Vale

Mrs Jennifer Madden Bryn Celyn Cwmcelyn BlainaMr & Mrs Borne Henwain Street

BungalowsBlaina

Volunteers will be rewarded with ‘time banking incentives’ i.e. time credits that can be used in the local authority sports centres, beauty treatments at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale campus and a range of other activities.

From October 2011 onwards volunteers across Blaenau Gwent will be monitoring the cleanliness of Tai Calon estates and how well green spaces are being kept.

Facebook competition winners

If you would like to become an environmental monitor for your neighbourhood please contact Natasha Jones on 0300 303 1717.

In August we asked you to ‘like us’ on Face book and put the names of those who did into a prize draw for a top of the range smart phone. The winner of the competition was Carla Jade from Blaina (pictured below). Thanks to Dave Grainger Jones and Jen Griffiths who drew the winning entry (pictured below).

To find out about the latest news and job opportunities from Tai Calon ‘like’ us on Facebook .

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Within Tai Calon’s Offices tenants have a dedicated room to meet or work from – The Tenants’ Resource Room.

Over the last few months a group of tenants and young people have designed the room layout and are working with the Community Investment and Involvement Team to put to together a timetable of activities.

Look out for courses and fun activities on Tai Calon’s website which will include basic computer training and festive arts and crafts.

All courses are informal, informative and available to people of all ages. You can use these courses to:

• Learn for fun: or

• Provide a stepping stone to further education or training.

For more information contact Natasha Jones, Community Investment and Involvement Officer on 0300 303 1717.

Tenants Resource Room news

Does your community group need funding for a project?Tai Calon has set aside £50,000 for community projects and it can be bid for now!!!

Projects that could be supported include:

• Enhancements to community facilities

• Environmental improvements e.g. green space makeovers

• Innovative schemes that aid local crime prevention and community safety initiatives

• Projects and events that bring the community together

• Training and educational projects

Who can apply?

The fund is exclusively for Tai Calon tenants and groups in which Tai Calon tenants participate.

How much funding is available for each project?

A maximum of £3,000 is available per project. Groups will be supported by Tai Calon officers in preparing a bid. Bids will be reviewed by a group of Tai Calon tenants.

If you would like to receive an application form or for more information ring 0300 303 1717 and ask to speak to one of the Community Investment and Involvement Team.

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Tai Calon held its first Annual General Meeting at the Beaufort Theatre on Thursday the 22nd of September. Members and non members were invited to hear the Executive Team’s report on how the organisation’s first year had gone.

The first Annual General Meeting

The annual audited accounts were presented by Tai Calon’s external auditors, Haines Watt, who reported that Tai Calon was in a good state of financial health.

The audience received the results of the tenant board member elections and were asked to endorse the independent board member selections.

Board Member Fred Davies chaired the meeting, in the absence of the Chair Phil Crozier who could not attend due to a bereavement of a close friend.

The results of the elections for Tenant Board Members are as follows:

Reg Arnold Patricia Jones Roy Jones Margaret Retallick Elaine Townsend Void

957 546 916 774 931 8

Elected Board Members were therefore Reg Arnold, Elaine Townsend and Roy Jones.It is sad to report however that shortly after the Annual General Meeting, officers were made aware that Mr Reg Arnold had passed away. The Board, the Membership Scrutiny Committee (in which he participated during 2010 and 2011) and officers from Tai Calon wish to offer their condolences to Mr Arnold’s family.

Mike Roberts from the Membership Scrutiny Committee commented “Reg will be sorely missed. He gave a huge amount of time and energy to Tai Calon and the Membership Scrutiny Committee.”

The current Board membership is as follows:

Peter Abbott Andrew Bateson Philip CrozierFred DaviesShirley Ford Julia GreggRoy Jones Nigel Perring Stephen PorterDavid Rocke Godfrey Thomas Elaine TownsendJohn Williams Philip White Margaret Retallick (filled as a casual vacancy due to the bereavement of Mr Arnold)

Keith Chaplin and Bill Voyce are co-opted independent members.

Information on Tai Calon’s first year can be found in the Annual Report which has been sent to all tenants. If you have not received your copy of the report please contact Jayne Lewis on 0300 303 1717.

and the Membership Scrutiny Committee.”

of Mr Arnold)

Keith Chaplin and Bill Voyce are co-opted independent members.

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Electrical safety over the festive period Electrical safety

Never• Use the lights outdoors

unless specially designed for that use.

• Connect different lighting sets together.

• Connect lights to the supply while in the packaging.

• Remove or insert lamps while the chain is connected to the supply.

• Overload sockets and try to avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors.

• Allow children to play with Christmas lights.

• Attempt to repair faulty lights• Use lights that are damaged

or faulty.

The Electrical Safety Council recommends the use of “LED” over traditional “filament” Christmas lighting because:

• They operate at extra low voltage which significantly reduces the risk of electric shock.

• They use much less power, generating little heat and so reducing the risk of fire and burns. This makes them safer to use.

• They are estimated to use 80-90%less electricity than filament lamps so they are less expensive to run and typically last up to 60 times longer.

• They are more durable because LED lights are made of a special plastic with no filament, there are no glass bulbs to break or flake.

• They are a great deal more efficient to run and good at saving energy so are more environmentally friendly.

Your safety is our main concern. Below are some tips to ensure you and your family are safe over the holiday period.

Always• Check that your Christmas

lights are not damaged or broken before use and look out for loose wires. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and retain instructions for future reference

• Use only replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as those originally supplied with the lights

• Ensure all outdoor lights are connected via a 30m A RCD protected socket. An RCD will provide added protection against electric shock

• Replace failed lamps immediately to prevent overheating – if lamps are not replaceable, the whole lighting product may need to be replaced

• Ensure that plugs and transformers are plugged-in indoors, even if the lighting is suitable for outdoor use

• Switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed or go out - Even Christmas lights need a break!

• Keep lights away from flammable decorations and other materials that can burn easily

• Keep the packaging for safe storage after use. Avoid storage in damp or excessively hot conditions.

Keep me! Information you may want to keep

Keep me!

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What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Due to its strength and fire resistance, asbestos was used in a wide range of building materials and products between the 1930s and the mid-1980s, and most extensively during the 1960s and 1970s.

If your home was built or refurbished during this period, it may contain some form of asbestos. Homes built since the mid-1990s are very unlikely to contain asbestos in the fabric of the building.

Where are ‘asbestos containing’ materials likely to be found?

Here are a few examples:

• Bath panels/WC cisterns

• Corrugated cement sheeting on sheds garages

• Soffits

• Guttering, down pipes and soil pipes

• Boilers

• Boxing to soil pipes and pipework

• Plastic floor tiles

• Textured decorative coatings e.g. artex

• Window cills

What are the risks?The Health and Safety Executive state that:

ASBESTOS IS NOT A RISK IF IT IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND IS NOT DISTURBED.When asbestos materials become damaged i.e. when drilled, sawn, scrubbed or sanded, they can release fibres into the air. If you think that an Asbestos Containing Material may be damaged please contact us on 0300 303 1717.

DON’T TAKE RISKS! DON’T CARRY OUT WORK ON IT!

Asbestos advice

Keep me! Information you may want to keep

Keep me!

Would you like to gain a Customer Service qualification and experience being part of an office environment? • Free Transport

• Free Child Care

• Free Training

Come to Tai Calon and contact other tenants on their opinion of Tai Calon’s services.

For more information please contact Louise Burgwin on 0300 303 1717

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What are my responsibilities as a tenant?Before you undertake any DIY work on your Tai Calon home you should contact your Housing Officer on 0300 303 1717. You will not be permitted to carry out any work until you have been notified in writing that it is safe to do so.

Our helpline staff will refer your query to qualified staff who will then consider your request. When undertaking work to ‘asbestos containing’ materials proper controls must be in place to reduce exposure to you, your family and the person carrying out the work.

If you carry out any work or permit others to carry out work without written approval, you will be liable for any costs of dealing with any asbestos incidents, as well as the cost of reinstatement.

Please remember that changes to the structure or the fabric of the property are not permitted under the tenancy agreement with Tai Calon Community Housing.

DIY work can result in brief to high levels of exposure to asbestos fibres. If you think a material might contain asbestos.

What is Tai Calon doing about Asbestos?Tai Calon is implementing an Asbestos Management Plan that sets out how we will identify and manage asbestos in our homes.

Tai Calon has carried out a management survey of all communal areas and has undertaken a Stock Condition Survey which includes an Asbestos Survey.

The surveys to date have highlighted that there is no significant problem in Tai Calon’s homes. However you need to be aware of the possibility of disturbing any materials that could contain asbestos.

Tai Calon Community Housing is also taking samples from properties and carrying out an analysis of materials that could contain asbestos. All this information will be kept on an Asbestos Register. All ‘asbestos containing’ materials will be reviewed regularly. If the material is damaged or is a high risk due to its location, Tai Calon will take immediate action and deal with it in a safe and appropriate way.

GAS SERVICING To ensure that you and your family are safe please keep your gas servicing appointment. If the date we send you is not convenient we can rearrange. For more information contact 0300 3030 1717.

Planning your escape

• Fire can start when you least expect it, often at night.

• If your smoke alarm goes off while you are asleep, don’t investigate. Wake everyone and get them out as quickly as possible. Never take for granted that it is a false alarm.

• Dial 999 if you have time to do so.

• Check closed doors with the back of your hand. If they are warm this means there is fire on the other side.

Do not open.

• In the event of a fire very often the main cause of death is smoke and fumes.

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Fire safety At Tai Calon we want our tenants to be safe in their homes.

REMEMBER

Don’t smoke in bed.

Keep matches safe.

Don’t sit too close to a fire.

Don’t overload electrical sockets.Fire safety

Keep me! Information you may want to keep

Keep me!

Prevent a fire starting in your home

• Never smoke in a chair if you think you may doze off, never smoke in bed.

• Do not leave a lit cigarette, pipe or candle unattended.

• Use deep ashtrays so that cigarettes can not roll out, and don’t throw hot ash into a waste paper basket.

• Keep matches and lighters well out of the reach of children.

• Sit at least three feet away from heaters.

• Never put a heater near clothes or furnishings.

• Don’t overload electrical sockets.

• Use the fixed heating system fitted in your home. If this is not possible, only use a convector heater in your hall or corridor.

• Do not use any form of radiant heater there, especially one with either a flame (gas or paraffin) or a radiant element (electric bar fire).

• Do not store things in the cupboard(s) where your gas and electricity meters are fitted.

• Communal staircases, corridors and balconies should be kept clear of all combustible materials and kept free from obstructions such as bicycles and prams, all carpets, rugs, mats should be securely fitted to the floor.

• Rubbish and unwanted household goods should be removed to the appropriate refuse area immediately and must not be stored in communal areas.

• Do not block access roads to the building.

• Do not change the flat entrance door without our permission.

to the building.

Do not change the flat entrance door without our permission.

• If there is a lot of smoke present, get down as near to the floor as possible where the air will be cleaner.

• Don’t rush, keep calm and get everyone out as quickly as possible.

• Don’t stop to pick up valuables.

• If your escape route is blocked by fire it may be stay put until the fire brigade arrives. Close the door and use towels or sheets to block any gaps to stop the smoke. Go to a window, call for help and wait to be rescued.

• You will only have a short time to get out, so plan your escape route rather than waiting for a fire to happen.

• Think of another way out in case the normal one is obstructed.

• Keep escape routes clear of obstructions at all times.

• Make everyone in the property aware where keys are kept.

• Keep valuable documents in a metal fire-proof box.

Fire instruction for flats

Blocks of flats have been built in such a way as to protect the people in it if a fire breaks out. The important thing to remember is that if a fire breaks out in your flat, it is up to you to make sure you can get out of it.

• Do not store anything in your hall or corridor, especially anything that will burn easily.

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If a fire breaks out......in your home• If you are in the room where

the fire is, leave straight away, together with anybody else, then close the door.

• Do not stay behind to try and put the fire out.

• Alert everyone else in your home about the fire and get them to leave. Close the door and leave the building.

• Do not use a lift.

• Do not use a balcony unless it is part of the escape route from the building.

• Call the fire brigade.

...in another part of the building

• It will usually be safe to stay in your own home.

• You must leave your home if smoke affects it. Close all doors and windows.

Puzzle

fun for all the familythe familythe familythe familythe familythe familythe familythe familythe family

Come and try our new Winter Warmer menu at the Visitor Centre Restaurant

For more information contact us on 01495 711816

Give us a call to find out more01495 745910Paula.skyrme@melinhomes.co.ukwww.melinhomes.co.uk/melinworks www.facebook.com/melinworks @melinhomes

Are you looking for a job?Why not try…

If you live in Blaenau Gwent or Torfaen, are unemployed and not claiming Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance you can join stepping stones.

This could be……

• People who are carers• People who have been given notice of redundancy• Young people aged 16 to 17 who are not in education,

employment or training• People receiving Income Support• People with a work limiting health condition and/ or

disability receiving incapacity benefit• People who work 16 hours or less • People who do not receive any benefits

A European funded project managed by Melin Homes and Tai Calon.

PuzzlePuzzleP E S E L U G W B A M R L I C

E O T V K S A R B S S X C O P

H C Y O O G B E Y A D I L O H

P H D M U N T A N D C R R K J

G R L S T I R T D L H Y A R O

Y I B T O K A H E V U A R C T

A S Z C Z C D S O L E U W E L

T T E A L O I S E L D N A C L

K M Z A S T T T N D L K T Q E

T A U N L S I I U Y U Y P W U

O S Z O L D O R R R N Y H P X

I T R E E D N I E R K A O Y Y

A R D L B V S P B E A E E K C

H E O T E L T S I M R S Y J A

S E I P E C N I M X A B O G E

Advent

Bells

Candles

Cards

Christmas Tree

Holiday

Holly

Icicles

Merry

Mince Pies

Mistletoe

Noel

Reindeer

Santa Claus

Spirit

Stockings

Tradition

Turkey

Wreath

Yuletide

AdventBellsCandlesCardsChristmas TreeHolidayHollyIciclesMerryMince PiesMistletoeNoelReindeerSanta ClausSpiritStockingsTraditionTurkeyWreathYuletide