News & Views Kent summer 2013

Kent

Summer 2013 www.amicushorizon.org.ukwww.amicushorizon.org.uk

Kent

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Inside:Affected by the bedroom tax? We can help.Turn to page 3 to read more.

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Welcome to news&viewsIt’s a busy time, we’ll be running lots of events over the summer. Coming to these events is a great chance to have your say about our services.

You’ll find several competitions in this edition of news&views. So, why not give them a go?

A big ‘thank you’ to all residents who helped with this edition of news&views.

With this edition you'll find:

Keep us posted!Please remember to tell us if your circumstances change. We want the information we hold to be correct. So please let us know of any changes:

� If anyone moves in or out of your household� If you stop or start working� If you change your working hours� If you have a change in your income� If the benefits you receive change

Call or email us today and we’ll update your details.

Your local area plan – this gives details of the work we’re doing in your area.

Your guide to resident involvement.

Our resident training guide – get signed up for a new course today!

Your guide to resident involvement.

Our resident training guide– get signed up for a new

4

AmicusHorizon

Residents’ training guide

2013-2014

www.amicushorizon.org.uk

Training for success

We want residents to get involved, have fun and learn

useful skills so they can make a difference. This guide

tells you a bit about many of the courses we run.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis – with residents who’ve not

attended before getting priority.

If you’d like to register your interest:

n Contact the team by telephone using the details at the start of each section

n Complete this booking form and send it to the Sussex Resident Involvement Team

Training will run from September to December.

Once you’ve chosen your courses we’ll be in touch to confirm if you’ve been successful.

Course times will be confirmed based on majority demand.

Priority will be given to residents who’ve not attended courses before, and who are

available on the confirmed dates.

Open to all

AmicusHorizon

residents

FREE training

Sussex

Don’t delay,

book today

AmicusHorizonResident Involvement guide; Get involved and make a difference


Residents and staff working together


Support and develop community groups where needed

Launch a “who do you think we are?” campaign to tackle anti social behaviour. We’ll focus on Ceres Court, Vicarage and Newington

Create and sustain a roaming youth club

Publish a ‘Green Deal’ fact sheet for residents

Work with residents and partners to get the Regis Crescent allotments up and running

�Take part in a national project to agree and carry out ‘neighbourhood action plans’. We’ll do this in Milton & Hartlip, and Newington & Upchurch

These are new ‘local offers’ requested by your residents’ Area Panel.

cal offers’ requested by your residents’ Area Panel.

cal offers’ requested by your

Mid Kent Area Plan 2013-14 Here’s what we plan to do in your area by April 2014:

Tel: 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606**

Email: [email protected]

*Calls free from a BT landline, charges from mobiles and other networks may vary. **If you are calling from a mobile, it may be cheaper for you to dial 01795 434 606. Calls may be recorded and

monitored for quality and training purposes.This accessibility statement has been checked

by the RNIB.

AB C

Easy-read

Braille

Large print

Audio

Another language

Sign language

Need a document in a different format?

We can send it to you in:

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Your AmicusHorizon

Tenancy changesIn April and May, we consulted with you on proposed changes to your tenancy conditions. We wrote to all residents and discussed changes at resident meetings.

We've had a great response. Nearly 3,500 residents have been in touch to let us know what they think.

Based on the feedback, we’re taking the proposals to the Residents' Council, and then the AmicusHorizon Board in July. Once approved, we’ll contact you to ask you to sign the new tenancy conditions. This won't apply to residents in Housing for Older People schemes (HOPS).

then the AmicusHorizon

approved, we’ll contact

Affected by the bedroom tax?

We can help you moveAre you under occupying your home and would like to move to a smaller property? If you find a suitable mutual exchange we’ll help pay for your removal costs. Speak to your Housing Officer to find out more, conditions apply.

If you’d like more information on any of the recent benefit changes, visit our website. You’ll find useful leaflets, links and even a film about welfare reform: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/benefitsinformation

You can also speak to our Financial Inclusion Team. They’re here to help you make the most of your money and can assist with benefit claims.

Your voice, your vote Your Area Panel members want your vote! In July you’ll receive a ballot paper so you can choose who you’d like to represent you on your local Area Panel.

The panels are made up of eight elected residents along with independent people from the local community. The Area Panel work with us to identify the priorities in your community.

Please return your ballot paper to us by 17 August. Or you can vote online at: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/AreaPanelvote

The results will be announced at the Area Panel Annual Meeting, on our website and Facebook page.

- 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606** - [email protected] - www.amicushorizon.org.uk 4

0300 123 6010 [email protected]

A big welcome Mac Buckley was voted onto the Kent Gateway panel at the March meeting as a co-opted independent panel member. Mac brings years of experience working in social care with vulnerable families.

Steve Elliot has also joined us an independent member. Steve’s a very active member of the Sheppey community, volunteering at a number of local charities, schools and clubs.

Goodbye to Linda Seddon!

Linda has been our resident Board member link for around four years. She’s now going to work with the Hastings Area Panel.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank her for all her hard work and commitment.

Taking over from Linda, will be new Board member link, Beverley Spear. So welcome to Beverley, it’s great to have you!

Estate Action DaysEstate Action Days are being held over the next few months.

Come along and speak to staff about any issues you may have and enjoy the activities while you’re there:

� 8 August – Queensway – Queensway play park

� 15 August – Edenbridge, Sheerness – Communal green, opposite the flats

� 22 August – New Road – rear of the community house

� 31 October – Tree Flats – Opposite 1-6 Willow House.

Kent Gateway Area Panel

Next meeting date:

17 September 2013 Mac Buckley

Steve Elliot

Linda Seddon

Beverley Spear


Cash for computers

New computers!St George’s Resource Centre has been presented with a cheque for £2,000 to buy community computers. The money has come from the Kent Gateway Area Panel Local Improvement Fund.

The centre assists Sheppey residents with computer skills. Call them to find out more on 01795 661598.

Bike storage trial You asked for bike storage at Tree Flats in Sheerness. So we listened and installed a bike stand. It’s been a great success, helping residents store their bikes safely.

It’s ‘wheelie’ good!


Front row – left to right: Mark Startup, Tanya Brown, Sophie Mc-Donald. Back Row – left to right: Wendy Tipton, Terry Spillard and Sharon Schembri

Kent Gateway staff update Terry Spillard, Neighbourhood Manager heads up a team of five housing officers in the Kent Gateway area! They are Wendy Tipton, Tanya Brown, Sharon Schembri, Mark Startup and Sophie McDonald.

Need help or advice? Just give them a call, they’re all willing to help!

Cash for computers

Sport for all… A £3,500 cheque to help provide a disabled bike for the Sheppey Disabled Sports Club has been handed over.

The money came from the Kent Gateway Area Panel Local Improvement Fund. It was presented by area panel Chair, Helena Ingham.

6 - 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606** - [email protected] - www.amicushorizon.org.uk


Thank you John! After two years of chairing the East Kent Panel, John Quested has now stepped down.

John will still be very much involved on the panel and Residents’ Council.

We’d like to thank John for his hard work and dedication and welcome his continued contribution.

Out and about this summer We’re holding lots of free events this summer and hope to see you there:

� 6 August – Ospringe Family Focus day

� 13 August – Willesborough Fun Day, Ashford

� 20 August - North Preston Family Day

� 23 August – Love Lane Estate Action Day

� 30 August – Sheldwich.Estate Action Day

Look out for more information, coming your way soon!

North Preston – have your sayOur teams will be consulting residents about environmental issues on the North Preston Estate on 20 August.

They’ll be getting your ideas about how we can improve things.

Area Panel acting chair Linda Scamp said: “This is an opportunity to look at the area with ‘fresh eyes’ and really get a feel for what improvements residents would like to see.”

Helping young people!East Kent Area Panel gave £3,000 to Swale Youth Projects to help them provide coaching skills to young people in fishing, football and archery.

The projects are taking place in Ospringe and Oare. The sessions started in February and will continue throughout the summer holidays.

The money came from the Local Improvement Fund, made available for your local Area Panel to improve your neighbourhoods and communities.

To find out more please contact the East Kent Area Support Team.

John Quested

Your Area Panel would love you to get involved to represent residents and leaseholders in your area. You could influence decisions and monitor local services.

Make a difference

started in February and will continue



Family funCome and join us on:

� 29 July – Teynham Village Hall

� 9 August - St Mary’s School, Faversham

� 1 6 August - ‘Coastal’ tour.

It’s a great opportunity for you to meet your East Kent Area Panel. They’ll be there to talk about their roles to residents and reach out to anyone interested in getting involved.

Easter egg thanks During Easter, the Resident Involvement Team - plus some area panel members - toured East Kent to collect surveys on tenancy conditions. We reached 18 destinations, collected over 100 surveys and gave away 150 Easter eggs. A big thanks to all those residents who took part!

Ask Linda Residents often ask me about aids and adaptations if they’re struggling to cope in their own home.

Did you know, if you’re disabled or have difficulties getting around your home, AmicusHorizon may be able to help you?

They can give you advice on the equipment and home adaptations available to you.

Please contact your Housing Officer to find out more.

Grab a garage!Have you got a car? Then check out our garages! They’re available to both residents and non-residents in the following areas:

� Love Lane, Faversham� Neames Forstall, Selling� Lees Court Road,

Sheldwich� The Charltons, Boughton.

Call 0800 121 60 60 to find out more.

Gardening service We consulted residents in East Kent and the feedback was they’d like to benefit from an affordable gardening service.

Your Area Panel has teamed up with Brogdale Community Interest Company to offer residents in East Kent a gardening service for as little as £10 per hour.

The service is available to all residents who live in East Kent.

This offer is not part of the added value service mentioned on page 12.

Don’t forget our handy garden tool hire scheme. Contact our Faversham Area office to find out more and borrow all you need.


0300 123 6010 [email protected] Kent Area Panel

Mid Kent Area Panel

Welcoming our newest members Say hello to Teri Clifton and Dawn Imms, our newest Mid Kent Panel members.

Teri has been involved in the work at Kemsley House and is one of our residents.

And Dawn, who was voted on as an independent member, has years of experience working with young people in the Mid Kent area.

Residents Joanne Bruce and Chris Blondrage are also new to the Panel. Chris lives in one of our sheltered schemes and brings with him his extensive knowledge of Sittingbourne. Joanne is passionate about changing the perception people have of the area she lives in.

The Neighbourhood Furniture Store in Sittingbourne is a brilliant community resource. They collect quality second hand furniture and resell it at an affordable price. If you’d like to donate, give them a call on 01795 478 550. They’ll even collect unwanted furniture for you!

Looking to buy? Check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nfskent or visit them at: Unit M2, Trinity Trading Estate, Sittingbourne ME10 2PG

Call them for opening hours.

The Easter Bunny brings a smile to local children

Easter egg tour The Easter Bunny has been dishing out eggs in exchange for views about tenancy conditions. Our Resident Involvement Team and the Area Panels conducted over 300 surveys across Kent, stopping at 32 neighbourhoods.

A big thanks to all those residents who shared their views with us, it does make a big difference!


Eviction actionThe Anti Social Behaviour Team successfully secured the eviction of a resident in Sittingbourne.

The residents in the area, who suffered harassment and intimidation, were fantastic in supplying evidence to support our case.

We worked closely with the police and other agencies – it was a real team effort.

Thinking big...You told the Area Panel you wanted them to make a difference in your neighbourhood.

So this year the Mid Kent Panel has allocated £10,000 from the Local Improvement Fund to support a major community project. And they’re seeking ideas from residents on what to spend it on! If you have any suggestions, please contact the area panel on 0300 123 6010. You can also email your Area Panel members at [email protected] So get thinking and send the Mid Kent Panel your ideas!

Estate Action Day Staff and Area Panel members will be in your neighbourhood on:

� 23 July (2-5pm) Kent Avenue – opposite 53-59 (walkabout at 4pm)

� 02 August (12-4pm) Kemsley School (walkabout at 2pm)

� 07 August (12-4pm) Vicarage – Newbridge Avenue Green (walkabout at 2pm)

� 29 August (12-4pm) Quinton -Bottom of Knightsfield Road (walkabout at 2pm)

� 30 October (12-4pm) Iwade (walkabout at 2pm)

They’ll also be at the Milton Creek ‘Art in the Park’ event on July 20 from 10am to 4pm.

Residents’ fun dayA great opportunity is coming up to meet your Mid Kent Area Panel.

The Mid Kent Residents’ fun day will be held on Thursday July 25 at Borden Grammar School between midday and 3.30pm.

They’ll be there to talk about what they do and help anyone interested in getting involved.


Kent performance - how are we doing?

We beat our target, completing 96.1% of repairs first time!

On average we took 12.77 days to relet homes. This means less homes standing empty and more income to improve our services.

A big thank you to those of you paying your rent on time. We want to do even better so we can use the money to improve services and homes. If you’re struggling to pay your rent, please contact our Income Officers today. They’re here to help you.

Residents are more and more satisfied with the way we handle anti social behaviour. This year 98% said they were satisfied. We’re committed to providing safe neighbourhoods. Our Anti Social Behaviour Teams are here to help if you need it.

Repairs

Lettings

Income

Performance indicator April 2012 - March 2013

Our target

% of repairs completed first time 96.1% 93%

Performance indicator April 2012 - March 2013

Our target

Average time to re let homes – general needs

12.77 days 14 days

Performance indicator March 2013

Target to end of March 2013

% rent arrears 3.88% 3.43%

Anti social behaviour (ASB)Performance indicator April 2012

- March 2013

Our target

Satisfaction with handling of anti social behaviour (ASB)

98% 91%

Our performance

11

Bridge House versus Team Brown

Young residents of Bridge House enjoyed a football match against a team of staff and family members (Team Brown). Following last summer’s defeat Bridge House were keen for the re-match. Team Brown agreed to take up the challenge. The game was on and Bridge House wanted victory, it wasn’t to be.

Team Brown dominated the score line, taking the first goal and holding their lead, it was 3 – 5 at half time. Into the second half, Bridge House fought hard and came back at 7- 7. But the last 10 minutes saw team Brown take and hold the lead again. Final score 9 – 11.

Both sides had a great time and have agreed to play again soon.

The happeningHere’s what’s happening for young people around Kent...

Sky community channel - 539 Virgin community channel - 233 Smartphone - My Landlord app

Bridge House versus

Virgin community channel

Fun fun fun in the sun sun sun!Do you need something to do over the summer holidays? Great news - we’ve got plenty going on for children and young people!

As usual our activity calendar is fit to burst with exciting events. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for all the details. Or you can call us on 0800 121 60 60.

Virgin community channel Smartphone - My Landlord app

You Only Live Once (YOLO), so throw

yourself into life and get involved! Are

you aged 16-24, a young resident of

AmicusHorizon and live in Kent? Why not

join our new Young People’s Forum?

You’ll have the chance to talk about the

issues in your neighbourhood and make

the changes that matter to you. Call the

Kent Resident Involvement Team today

and find out more.

11


Your Home

Improving repair timesWe know the time it takes us to do a repair is important to you. So we're changing how we measure a repair job.

� We’ll look at how long it takes from the day you report the repair until the whole job is finished. That way we’ll know if we’re doing our best.

� At the moment we measure how long it takes to complete each part of a repair job. Each separate trade is given a different target time.

We’ll be testing this new system and the Repairs and Maintenance Panel (RAMP) will look at the results. If it works well, we’ll be rolling it out in London and Kent later in the year!

Need extra help? Are you aged 65 or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment? Is there no one living with you who could help you with minor repairs?

Ask about our added value services:

� Decorating

� Gardening

� Handyperson

Contact us or visit: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/addedvalue

Ask about our added value services:

Your viewsOur strategy for repairs and maintenance is approaching its final year. We hope you’ll agree our service has improved. But it’s time to rethink our plans for the next three years. And we’re aiming high, we want to provide the best repairs service in the UK!

This summer we’ll be out and about seeking your views. We’ve five short questions about the repairs service. For us to improve we need to know what you think.

You can also visit our website to complete the survey at: www.AmicusHorizon.org.uk/yourview

Or pop into any of our area offices and tell us your views.

The survey also asks your views on Communications and Resident Involvement.


Repairs and Maintenance Panel (RAMP)

Good to get away!Our Repairs and Maintenance Panel (RAMP) enjoyed an away day to consider a few hot topics. They discussed:

� How a contractor must behave in your home

� The training needs of our new procurement panel

� RAMP’s work plan for the year ahead

They also agreed to recruit and train 15 new Resident Monitors.

Our Monitors enjoy meeting other residents. They feel being a fellow resident means they get a very honest response to the questions asked.

Are you interested in improving repairs? Our Resident Monitors check your experience of our repairs service. Monitors visit residents along with our Technical Inspectors at the end of a repair job. They ask questions about the quality of the service you received. They also look at the work that’s been carried out by our contractors.

Could you be a Resident Monitor? Do you have a morning or afternoon spare each month? Would you like to join the team? You’ll receive expert training and support. To find out more please contact Jill Kent, Partnership Development Manager.

The year aheadRAMP have a busy year ahead. Here’s just some of the things they’ll be looking at:

� Helping us plan our repiars and maintenance priorities for the next three years

� How we improve our Heating Policy

� Ways to help you keep your energy bills down.


A ‘smoothie’ rideOur IFORE Team will also have a stand at the Kent County Show. IFORE (Innovation for Renewal) is our international sustainability project in Rushenden, Kent.

The project aims to reduce our residents’ energy use by 80 percent. The team will be explaining the innovative technologies they use as well as their community engagement work.

The team will also be showcasing their ‘smoothie bikes’. The bikes offer visitors the chance to make an energy efficient fruit smoothie drink. The blending is all done via pedal power! Find out more about IFORE at: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/IFORE

Little green bag give away Pop into your local Area Office and pick up your free green bag today! Packs include:

� An energy saving light bulb and stickers to remind you to switch off and save

� Water saving devices for your shower and toilet

� Room thermometers to help you control the temperature of your home.

If you’d like to request a bag and are unable to get to your local office, speak to your Housing Officer or email: [email protected]

Your Green page

the chance to make an energy

Grow for show!Residents and staff are working to create a garden that’ll be showcased at the Kent County Show on 12-14 July 2013. The garden includes herbs, vegetables, a small fruit tree and fragrant flowers. The showcase garden sits alongside a tatty plot of the same size, showing what can be done without spending lots of money. It’s also environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The vision has become a reality with the hard work of residents and staff and help from contractor Blenwood Grounds Maintenance, and David and Sallie Shaw from Swale in Bloom. Children from The Abbey School in Faversham have also contributed to the design.

Why not come along and see them at the Kent County Show? And while you’re there, visit our IFORE stand…

We’d love to see you at the show, so we’re giving away four sets of family tickets worth £37. Just answer this question:

Q. Children from which school have helped design our garden?

Send your answer, along with your name and contact details to the Freepost address on the back page or email: [email protected]

Deadline: Monday 8 July 2013.

four sets of family tickets worth

15

Could you be a Board Member for AmicusHorizon?

Sky community channel - 539 Virgin community channel - 233 Smartphone - My Landlord app

Our Board is looking for a resident member to help deliver our vision for the best service and performance. Are you able to:

� Influence what AmicusHorizon does on behalf of all residents?

� Challenge and communicate effectively?

� Work as part of a team?

� Give us your time and commitment?

This is a paid position and you’ll receive: £7,175 per year plus expenses.

We’ll give you a full induction and ongoing training. If you’re interested, contact Tracey Wellard, Governance Officer for more details.We’ll be running information sessions in July and August 2013. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the role and the recruitment and selection process.

Please contact Tracey Wellard, Governance Officer, for further information or to book a place on an information session.

Email: [email protected] or telephone: 01795 434273.

Meet Rachel!Rachel Kemp has been a member of the East Sussex Area Panel for two years. She’s recently been voted onto the Residents’ Council.

Why did you become an involved resident? “AmicusHorizon is good at getting residents involved. If others see that I can have an influence on services, it might encourage them to get involved too.”

Why did you join Residents’ Council? “I joined because I wanted to be part of the decision making process. As involved residents

we want to improve services on behalf of other residents. By being on the Residents Council I feel I can get things done.”

What will you be focusing on: “There’s not one particular area I’ll focus on. I just want to listen to other residents, represent them and make a difference.”

Fun fact about Rachel: Her favourite album of all time is ‘21’ by Adele!

Residents’Council

If you’d like to read the Residents’ Council meeting minutes please visit: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/ResidentsCouncil

15


Fancy winning £25 in high street vouchers? Then give our summer word search a go. This time the theme is sporting activities. The competition closes on Friday 2 Aug 2013. Congratulations to Deborah Stewart from St Leonards-on-Sea our spring word search winner!

Please fill in your contact details:

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R O W I N G W L E D H

T N E S I H O C K E Y

Would you like to receive this newsletter by email? Do you ever use our website or Facebook page? Would you like to see more of our services available online?

Later in the year we'll be writing our Communications Strategy for the next three years. And we'd like to know what your thoughts are. Over the summer we'll be consulting with you at our events and in our neighbourhoods. You can also give your feedback online by completing a short survey, it only takes a few minutes. Simply visit: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/yourview

You can also give your views on our Asset Management and Resident Involvement services.

Please remember to send us your stories, articles and ideas, you might see them in the next edition.

Residents designing this year’s annual review

Rave reviewsA huge ‘thank you’ to all the residents who attended our Annual Review Design Day. It was fantastic to see such a great turn out of residents both young and old! Residents and staff looked at the design of this year's Annual Review. They commented on themes, layout, language and style. They also enjoyed learning more about social media.

We’d also like to thank all the residents who voted for their favourite Annual Review on our Facebook page. Look out for your Annual Review in September 2013. It’s been designed by residents for residents!

Would you like to receive this newsletter by

Tell us what you want...

� Hockey� Swimming� Netball� Tennis� Football

� Rugby� Cycling� Rowing� Athletics� Bowls

Summer word search

News & Views Kent summer 2013

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