limelight VERSION - Sum… · In June we launched an apprenticeship recruitment drive to fill our...

Name wantedfor new trainingcentre

Investment inhomes takingshape

What a differencea year makes

6-74

Inside:

limelightSUMMER 2016: ISSUE 37

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20716A Salix Limelight Summer2016_v6.indd 1 07/06/2016 12:46

2 Limelight Summer 2016

As summer seems to finally be arriving, and the scaffolding of the first tower block we have enhancedin Pendleton comes down, we take a look in this issue at the work we have been doing to improve yourhomes. If your home is scheduled to be improved or you were unluckyenough to be hit by the Boxing Day floods, thank you for your patience andco-operation, helping us to get the job done that we can all be proud of.

Also, I am very proud to be discussing our apprentice programme,‘Earn as you Learn’. This year we are looking for the highest evernumber of apprentices who can help shape our future. Over thesummer 11 Salfordians will have the opportunity to build a greatcareer at Salix Homes. If you know anyone this might suit thenmake sure you let them know and they get in touch with us.

Finally, I would really like to hear your views on how we can bestshare all the work we are doing at Salix Homes. Included in thisedition is a flyer where you can give me your thoughts. We havelots of people who keep up to date using Facebook and by emailfor example. I look forward to hearing from you.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

3 Search is on fornew apprentices

4 Name wanted fornew state-of-the-arttraining centre

4 News in brief

5 Support for armedforces in Salford

6-7 Investment in homestaking shape

8-9 Apprentices get stepon career ladder

10 You’ve been framed

11 What is important toyou? WIN shoppingvouchers

11 We’ve struck gold

12 The court files

13 What a difference ayear makes

14 Looking for work?

14 Afternoon Tea & Techsessions

15 What’s on

5 Support for armedforces in Salford

Contents

Lee Sugden. Salix Homes chief executive

Contact UsSalix Homes One CallFREEPHONE: 0800 218 2000

[email protected]

www.salixhomes.org

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111

• Visit us on facebook www.facebook.com/SalixHomes• Tweet us @SalixHomes

Welcome to the summer edition of Limelight

10 WIN shoppingvouchers!

14 Afternoon Tea &Tech sessions

WIN!


Limelight Summer 2016 3

In June we launched an apprenticeship recruitmentdrive to fill our latest round of vacancies.

Information and recruitment events were held at thestart of the month as we sought to find 11 apprenticesto join our team.

The events at the Gateway Centre in Pendleton andour offices at Diamond House gave candidates anopportunity to find out more about the roles.

The 18-month apprenticeships offer a chance to earnwhile you learn with our 1st Response Security Team,Environmental Maintenance Team, Customer ServicesTeam and our Business Services Team.

Successful applicants also study towards an NVQ level2 qualification in subjects such as customer serviceand grounds maintenance. Other training includesfirst aid and a chance to take free driving lessons,depending on the requirements of the role.

At the event, candidates talked to former Salix Homesapprentices who have successfully been through theprogramme and also had the opportunity to get someindependent careers and CV advice to help them besuccessful in the wider jobs market.

Lee Sugden, our chief executive said: “Salix Homeshas a priority to support one local person into workor training for every day of one year by 2020 and our

apprenticeship programme isa key part of that ambition.

“Apprenticeships canprovide the chance peopleneed to go on to fulfill theirpotential. I myself was fortunate to be given a similarchance when I left school at 16 and I made a promiseto myself that if I was ever in a position to offer theseopportunities back, I would make sure I did.”

In the last three years, we have recruited17 apprentices to work across all areas ofthe organisation, with 70 per cent going on tosecure permanent employment. Twenty-sevenapprentices are also currently employed by ourconstruction partners delivering improvements tomany of our homes.

SEARCH IS ON FORNEW APPRENTICES

Apply now!It’s not too late to apply for our apprenticeshipscheme if you think you’ve got what it takes.Just go to www.salixhomes.org/earn for moreinformation and details on how to apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 20 June

Salix Homes’ Tony Riley, Jackie Crook andLucy Woodiwiss, with City Mayor Paul Dennettat our apprentice event in Pendleton



Can you help us choose a name for a ground-breaking housingproject which will help young people access training and get backto work?

Our flagship scheme at Petrie Court will transform a disused homelesshostel in Lower Kersal into a state-of-the-art training centre with live-inaccommodation to help young people transform their lives.

Now the centre needs a name and we are asking for suggestions intime for the building’s opening next year.

The initiative, called the Salford Working Out Project, will be the onlyone of its kind in Salford providing people aged 16-25 with a stableplace to live while they work, complete their education or undertaketraining.

The Petrie Court development is a £1m investment, with fundingfrom the Homes and Communities Agency being matched by us.

The centre in Lower Kersal is one part of the overall project and willhouse shared accommodation, a training centre, fitness facility andICT suite.

Mike Wright, head of housing choice at Salix Homes, said: “This isa flagship project, one of only a few such schemes in the country andwe believe it will be one of the best.

“The scheme will open up opportunities for young people from Salfordwhich they might not have had. It will be a real lifeline and we believe itwill help transform lives.

“The transformation of Petrie Court will be critical to creating theseopportunities and that is why we want a new name that will mark thetransformation of the building.”

The now-empty Petrie Court had previouslyprovided supported accommodation toyoung homeless people, but closed downin 2014 as part of Salford Council’sfunding cuts.

There are currently more than 2,200people aged 16-25 on the housingwaiting list in Salford and more than 6,000young people who are not in education,employment or training.

A big welcome toour new residentsWe would like to welcomenew residents to SalixHomes after we bought almost40 homes in Swinton and LittleHulton, from the Riverside Group.

We already own a number of propertiesin the area on the nearby Beechfarmestate so we are well placed to deliverhousing services to residents.

The properties are a mix of twoand three-bedroom terraced homeslocated on Long Street and MountStreet in Swinton, and Harrop Streetin Little Hulton.

Name wanted for newstate-of-the-art training centre

News in brief

Petrie Court artist’s impression

Can you thinkof a name forPetrie court?

Just email your suggestionfor a new name [email protected] Sunday 3 July.

Prime Minister praisesSalford for flood relief effortThe Prime Minister has praisedSalford residents for their effortsin the aftermath of the Boxing DayFloods, holding a reception at 10Downing Street to pay tribute togroups and individuals involved.

Our chief executive, Lee Sugden,commented: “It was a real honour forme, on behalf of Salix Homes, to beinvited to Downing Street, to representevery single Salford hero involved inthe flood relief effort and to share theirstories.”

Read more about life after the floods onpage 7.

Roger Baldry, from the BroughtonTrust and Lee Sugden, our chiefexecutive, were invited to representSalford



Managed by Salix Homes,Salford’s Supported TenanciesService provides support andadvice for Salford residents facinghomelessness or struggling tomaintain their tenancy.

Mike Wright, head of housingchoice at Salix Homes, said: “OurSupported Tenancies Service helpspeople from all walks of life, whohave for one reason or another fallenon hard times.

“Adjusting to civilian life can be verydifficult for many people leaving theforces, and the service can helppeople in this situation.”

Ex-forces personnel in Salford whoneed help and support should contactthe service on 0161 607 1620.

How we helpveterans

We’ll be showing our support support for serving or formermembers of the forces on 25 June.

Our team are raising funds to help veterans in the city, includingbacking the Salford Veterans Breakfast Club (pictured), as part ofArmed Forces Day.

The Breakfast Club was set up 18 months ago by volunteers and250 local veterans have attended, with an average of 40 to 50regulars going every week.

A dress down day fundraiser is planned and a group of staffare scaling Mount Snowdon on a sponsored walk this July tosupport the club.

Rebecca Holden, of the Supported Tenancies team, said: “Theclub needs to constantly raise funds to pay for venue hire andfood. We refer ex-armed forces service users over to the clubwhich offers a lot of support and is so much more than just abreakfast club.”

Support forarmed forcesin Salford

Members of the Salford Veterans BreakfastClub getting an award for their outstandingwork at our Salix Stars Awards in 2015

Nationally,1 in 10homeless peoplehave a militarybackground.



Investment in homestaking shapeOur improvement work is moving full steam ahead thisyear as our ambitions to deliver a two-year £22m packageof investment to 2,200 homes are starting to take shape.Here are some of the highlights of what is happening onthe ground to give our homes a new lease of life.

Work has reached the halfway stage on a £7mimprovement project which aims to breathe newlife into three of our tower blocks.

Mulberry Court, Sycamore Court and Magnolia Courtin Pendleton were built in the 1960s and are currentlybeing given a major face lift. The project started lastApril and is expected to finish in March 2017.

Green and grey external cladding, chosen byresidents, will see a significant improvement to the lookand the energy efficiency of the blocks, along with newroofs and windows. Inside, the flats are benefiting fromnew front doors, kitchens and bathrooms.

Work on Magnolia Court has been completed, andwork is underway at Sycamore Court and MulberryCourt.

Salford towerblocks get aface lift Work well underway at

Sycamore Court, Pendleton

Watch on YouTubewww.youtube.com/salixhomes1


Work underwayon flood hit homesRepair work is well underway on 300homes hit by the Boxing Day floods andsome residents are already benefitingfrom the refurbishments.

We spent the first few months after thefloods supporting tenants to rebuild theirlives, drying properties out, and preparinghomes for comprehensive floodrefurbishment work.

Once homes on the Riverside andSpike Island estates were fully driedout, we were able to start a range ofinternal work.

Our contractors - Emanuel Whittaker, Seddon andA.Connolly Ltd, have been carrying out repairs,including fitting new kitchens, skirting boards, vinylfloors, radiators and decorating, where required.

Three ‘show homes’ were opened in April socustomers could see what the renovated homes willlook like and what choices are on offer for things likeflooring and kitchen units.


Overhaul for Salford’s‘steel’ homesOur major improvement project to modernise morethan 60 steel-built homes in the city is nearingcompletion, with work due to finish this summer.

We’ve been working alongside building specialistsEmanuel Whittaker to transform 67 homes on theWeaste Steel estate.

The estate, built in 1948 and made up ofpre-fabricated-style homes, is getting a £600,000

A new kitchen in one of thefinished flood hit show homes

investment with properties fitted with new kitchens,bathrooms, windows, doors, electrics and heatingsystems, as well as an external face lift and re-painted.

Mark Foster, our head of investment said: “Our aimis to make sure customers are kept fully informed ofwhat is being done and when, throughout theprogramme of work. We are doing our very best toensure disruption is kept to a minimum. It’s been areally difficult year for these customers and we aredoing our best to get this work done as quickly aspossible so their homes can return to normal.”

Artists impressions of how homes will look once finished

For more information visit our website:www.salixhomes.org/floods

Watch on YouTubewww.youtube.com/salixhomes1



APPRENTICESGET STEPON CAREERLADDER

Kade completed a groundsmaintenance apprenticeshipwith Salix Homes whichreally helped to kickstart his career. Readmore about Kade’sstory.

KADEformer groundsmaintenance apprentice

We’re really proud of the employment opportunitieswe can offer local people here in Salford. In the lastthree years we have recruited 17 apprentices to workfor us - with 70 per cent of these going on to securepermanent employment.

As we look forward to welcoming 11 new localapprentices to join us in a number of roles across thebusiness this year, we take a look back at how two of ourapprentices from previous years have got on and find outhow their apprenticeship experience was the first step onthe ladder to a fulfilling career.



I completed a one-year groundsmaintenance apprenticeship with Salix

Homes between April 2015 and March 2016,and recently secured full time, permanentemployment in grounds maintenance whichI am really thrilled about.

Before the Salix Homes apprenticeship Ihadn’t had much luck on the work front.I’d tried joinery at college but it wasn’t forme and also a few jobs at call centres andin warehouses but I didn’t like them either.

When I got the apprenticeship it was justwhat I needed; I’d finally found somethingI enjoyed doing. The role involved allaspects of looking after the grounds aroundSalix Homes’ properties, including grasscutting, spraying weed killer, pruning, litterpicking and fly-tipping removal.

In addition to the practical hands onexperience, I also studied for an NVQ level2 which I found really useful and was greatfor my CV.

I’d definitely encourage anyone who is ina similar situation to what I was in to giveit a go – you never know where you mightend up!

If you’re interested in anapprenticeship we work with lots oflocal people to help them into workor training, not only here at SalixHomes but with lots of other localorganisations too.

Why not sign up for our email jobalert so you will be one of the first toknow about the opportunities that areavailable? Just email [email protected] with you name andcontact details.

Alternatively, keep an eye on ourwebsite as we regularly post local jobs,apprenticeships and training. Justvisit www.salixhomes.org/jobs

SIGN UP FOROUR JOB ALERTS

Conor’s positive experience as anapprentice working in the multi-skilled1st Response Security Team led to apermanent job with Salix Homes. Readmore about Conor’s journey from theair force to a career with Salix Homes.

I left school at 16 and joined the air force buthad to leave because of injury five years later.

I took a few months out to rethink my options andreally wanted a role where every day was different.The 1st Response Officer apprenticeship with SalixHomes ticked all the boxes.

I started in April 2015 and now have a full-time rolewith Salix Homes Salix Homes’ 1st Response Teamas a customer services officer. The apprenticeshipgave me a broad skills and experience base whichI now aim to build on as a full-time member of staff.

I’ve learnt an amazing amount in my year as anapprentice. The role was varied and covered all thecustomer service elements required for dealing without of hours calls from customers.

We are the main point of contact for customers -taking calls on repairs issues, dealing with anti-socialbehaviour complaints, and taking rent paymentsover the phone. I’ve also trained as conciergeworking on some of our blocks of flats and as aCCTV operator.

I also studied for an NVQ level 2 in customer service,and gained badge accreditation as a CCTV operatorand door supervisor, the latter with the SecurityIndustry Authority. It’s great to not only get the handson experience but to be given the formal training toowhich is really worthwhile having in this industry.

CONOR1st Response security team

Apply now!It’s not too late to apply for our apprenticeshipscheme if you think you’ve got what it takes.Just go to www.salixhomes.org/earn for moreinformation and details on how to apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 20 June


A big congratulations to Iain Crawford whocracked our spring Limelight Easter egg huntcompetition. Iain spotted all 14 eggs hidden in theedition and bagged a smoothie maker. Thanks toall those who took the time to enter!


Here are some of the community highlights over the last few months,showing some great Salford spirit and fantastic initiatives. Rememberyou can share your snaps with us via our Facebook or Twitter pages.

A bright picture of the blue summer sky over Ordsall.

Check us out onFacebook and Twitter

You’ve been framed

Snow in March! Salford saw it’s fair share of snow as

snapped by our caretaker Ged in Swinton.

More than 30 residents from Canon Green Courtand Westminster House TARA were out in force for aclean-up event in April with some of our EnvironmentalMaintenance Team.

Superhero Day in May saw staff dress down and raise around

£70 for ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ which grants the wishes

of children suffering from a life threatening or terminal illness.



Keeping track of our performance is vital toensure we’re able to measure and evaluate howwell our services meet your needs, and tellsus where we need to improve or where we aredoing particularly well.

We measure our performance across differentareas of the business but what is most importantto you? What type of information would you liketo read about? Are you particularly interestedin one area of what we do and would like toknow more?

What is importantto you?

We’ve been awarded the Gold Standard in the Investorsin People award, in recognition of the way we develop,support and motivate our employees.

We were commended for our clear vision, effective teamworking and strong staff training programmes.

It’s the highest level of recognition and is only given toorganisations that are able to demonstrate a degree ofexcellence in the way we develop and support our staff.

We’ve struck goldwith prestigiousaccolade

WIN!

Let us knowwhat you thinkfor a chanceto win £50vouchers!

Just fill in our quick survey online atwww.salixhomes.org/whats-importantto let us know what’s important to you,or email your suggestions to us [email protected]

Alternatively you can write to us atSalix Homes, Diamond House,2 Peel Cross Road, Salford M5 4DT

All suggestions will be entered into a prize drawto win £50 of shopping vouchers. The closingdate for entries is Friday 22 July. If you writeor drop us an email, don’t forget to let us knowyour name, address and contact details.

Win £50 shopping vouchers


For a safe, fast and simple way to switch your energy supplierA free price comparison could save you £300


Community safety is our priority and we take all reports of anti-social behaviour and breachesof tenancy very seriously. We will always look to take action where necessary to protect ourresidents. Our most recent court orders have included the following case...

We took courtaction againstabusive tenantA Salix Homes tenant who made abusivecomplaints to our staff has been taken to courtand faces eviction if he repeats the behaviour.We’ve used new powers in the 2014 Crime andPolicing Act to take action against the tenant whoharassed staff for more than five years.

The tenant began sending abusive emails to ourhousing team back in 2011, using crude, offensiveand at times racist language. In one email he calledour employees “scum, vile and disgusting”.

Warnings - and even offers of help to curb hisbehaviour - were ignored. In April 2013, we obtaineda 12-month Injunction order from Manchester CivilJustice Centre and this succeeded in stoppingthe tenant’s behaviour for a while. But the abusivecomplaints resumed within days of the injunctionorder expiring.

Now, in a second courthearing this April, a judgehas granted us a PostponedPossession Order against thetenant’s property, using thenew ‘Nuisance to Landlord’section of the Crime andPolicing Act. The order lastsuntil April 5, 2018, and if any ofthe previous behaviour is repeated we will immediatelyapply to repossess the property.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operational services,said: “This is the first possession case which SalixHomes has issued using the Crime and Policing Act2014 ‘Nuisance to landlord’ discretionary ground.It sends out a clear message to the minority of ourcustomers who behave abusively or aggressivelytowards staff members. This behaviour will not betolerated and we will take action, if necessary throughthe courts, to protect our staff and residents.”

The Court Files

Would you rather pay less for your gas and electricity?

Did you know the difference between the best and worst dealsis as much as 45% or £400 for an average household?

Last year 475 Salix Homes tenants saved over£36,000 by speaking to Community Switch andfinding a better deal for their gas and electricity.Do you want to find out how you can switch and save?

www.community-switch.co.uk/salix-homes

Do you find energy bills confusing?

Call 0300 303 0025 Text SWITCH to 60777

Don’t forget you can report ASB onlineat any time of the day or night. Just visitwww.salixhomes.org/report-issue



We have invested £13.1m in the city’s housing in ourfirst year of operation.

The investment has helped us to deliver majorimprovements to homes and communities acrossthe city - such as fitting 680 new kitchens andbathrooms and bringing 900 properties up to theGovernment’s Decent Homes standard.

We also carried out 49,000 repairs, supported 210people into work or training and let 700 homes tonew tenants.

Lee Sugden, our chief executive, said: “When ourtenants voted to transfer ownership of their homesto us, we promised a bright future for social housingin this great city and we are well on our way todelivering that.

“In just 12 months we have invested more than£13m in improving homes, supported more than 200people into work or training and have even launchedour first new-home building project.”

By 2020 we will have invested £75m in improvinghomes and communities in Salford bringing everyproperty up to the Government’s Decent Homesstandard.

Lee added: “We set out our ambitious aims from theoutset to deliver a first class housing service andalso to improve lives and communities in Salfordfor the better. While there is still work to do, thanksto our significant investment, those promises arebecoming a reality. We look forward to continuing onthis journey as we create a housing service Salfordcan be proud of.”

What a differencea year makes

The 24 march marked our firstfull year since the ownership ofhomes transferred from SalfordCity Council to ourselves, andit’s been quite a year...



If you want to build your computing confidenceand are keen to get some practical advice andtips to help you in the online world then our free‘Tea & Tech’ sessions could be for you.

The informal training will help you get to grips withthings like online bank accounts, shopping for gooddeals, keeping in touch with friends and family, payingbills online and managing things like benefits. It’s extraimportant that you are confident using the internet withmany benefits, such as Universal Credit, becomingincreasingly accessible online only.

Just come to one of the free sessions, which runfrom 1pm – 3pm and we’ll provide plenty of tea andexpert help.

You can also contact Jackie Crook on 0161 779 8966or email [email protected] for moreinformation.

Afternoon Tea & Tech sessionsto get you online

• Tuesday 21 June - St Sebastian’sCommunity Centre, Douglas Green,Charlestown, M6 6ES

• Tuesday 28 June - Broughton Hub,50 Rigby Street, Broughton, M7 4BQ

• Monday 11 July - Pendleton Gateway,1 Broadwalk, Pendleton, M6 5FX

• Wednesday 13 July - Swinton Gateway,100 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BP

• Tuesday 19 July - Walkden Gateway,2 Smith Street, Walkden, M28 3EZ

• Wednesday 20 July - Eccles Gateway,28 Barton Lane, Eccles, M30 0TU

All 1-3pm

FREE!

Find out more about apprenticeshipopportunities at Salix Homes:WWW.SALIXHOMES.ORG/EARN

Good foro ur Business


Ordsall FestivalWhen: Saturday 23July, 12 - 5pm

Where: OrdsallPark, CravenDrive, Salford

Traditional communityfestival with loads of free,fun activities for the family.A bouncy castle,face painting,refreshments,games, sportsand a live musicstage.

What’s OnFor more local events visit theevents calendar on our website:www.salixhomes.org/events

Get Activeat Peel ParkOutdoor GymWhen: Monday 27 June, 1 - 2pm

Where: Peel Park, Salford

Would you like to be fitter?Be more active outdoors? If so,join Salford’s Health ImprovementTeam at their workout on theoutdoor gym in Peel Park.

Outdoor gyms are designedfor the whole family to enjoy,but if you want support or tolearn how to use the equipmentproperly, join the team for a onehour session. Sessions includeweight loss advice and fitnessroutines.

Please wear suitable clothing,footwear and bring some water.

For more information pleasecontact Kenny Flint from theHealth Improvement Service on0161 906 1525

City of Salford 10KWhen: Sunday4 September

It’s not too lateto get yourrunning shoeson and starttraining for the City of Salford10k! The event is becomingone the most popular andwell regarded 10k events inthe north west.

Find out more: www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/salford-10k/

Lowry OutletFood FestivalWhen: Friday 24 Juneto Sunday 26 June,10am - 6pm Fri and Sat,11am - 5pm Sunday

Where: Ordsall Park,Craven Drive, Salford

The Lowry Outlet’s fantasticthree day Food Festival returnswith celebrity chef demos fromGreat British Bake Off winnerNadiya Hussain and Dragon’sDen star Levi Roots, plus lots

of stalls and producers, bars,street food, live music and kidscooking activities.

For more details visitwww.lowryoutlet.co.uk/events

The Pink PicnicpresentsGrosvenorFestWhen: Saturday 16 July, 1 - 6pm

Where: Green Grosvenor Park,Great Clowes Street, Broughton

Join the team that brings you thePink Picnic, Salford’s Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual and Trans pridecelebration, for GrosvenorFest -the first fund raiser of the year.

The event will see liveperformances from a selectionof great local artists and a beertent for the adults. To keep thekids entertained throughout theday there will be go-karts, abouncy castle and face-painting.Guests will also be able tovisit a number of activity stallsand take part in activities witha chance of winning amazingprizes. Come and join the partyin Green Grosvenor Park and

help us raise money for The PinkPicnic 2017.

For further details check outtheir Facebook event page.


FREE!

FREE!

FREE!


www.salixhomes.org

Quickly pay my rentas the kettle boils.

Click &connectw

ww.salixhomes.org


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