EVEN MORE TO CELEBRATE - SEE PAGE 2

Ardenglen News AUTUMN 2014

OFFICE INFO

Inside this issue you will fi nd our fi rst “report card” on Ardenglen’s performance against the requirements of the Scottish Housing Charter. You might remember, from previous newsletters, that the Charter has been introduced to ensure that registered landlords, like Ardenglen, deliver services to a recognised standard.

We have tried to make the report an easy read and to focus on the performance issues

which you have told us are important to you. Where we can, we have compared Ardenglen’s performance against a Scottish average and on the whole we are doing very well. We will use the outcomes of our report to focus on any areas where we could do better.

The Scottish Housing Regulator has developed a tool which will allow you to compare Ardenglen’s performance against every other Registered

Social Landlord in Scotland. You can fi nd this on their website at www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk .

I hope you enjoy the report and would welcome any comments you may have about our performance or the report itself.

Kenny StocksDirector

CELEBRATE – was the aim of the day on Thursday 25th September when our Social Committee and Volunteers arranged a totally unique event for the whole community to enjoy.

With fi nancial support from the BIG Lottery CELEBRATE Fund, and additional sponsorship from a host of big hearted local partners, we set about celebrating our community’s Mountain Bike Track legacy from the Commonwealth Games – by organising a Kite Festival!!

“Why fl y a kite” you might ask? Because we wanted to remind everyone that the mountain bike track is situated in the beautiful and historic setting of Cathkin Braes Country Park and highlight that our plans for the Cathkin Braes

Mountain Bike & Activity Centre will support a whole range of outdoor pursuits in and around the Country Park itself.

We also took the opportunity to celebrate the success of our up-skilling programme “The Only Way Is Up” which aims to build the personal capacity and resilience of local people. We believe that developing these skills within our community will help us to deliver the Mountain Bike and Activity Centre and we want our community to be ready to grab these legacy opportunities with both hands!

Working with a team of artists, members from local schools and community groups participated in a series of kite making workshops where they learned about the heritage of kite making and fl ying.

Even Ardenglen staff got involved in what became quite a competitive staff meeting!

For those who didn’t get a chance to be part of a workshop, there was an opportunity to make a kite on the day as well as a host of other fun activities including a “Think Science!” showcase, face painting, arts & crafts, a photo booth and mini sports arena. We even had a mini wind turbine and pedal powered generator for the more energetic amongst the crowd!

And who knew that our Lord Provost, Councillor Sadie Docherty, was a keen kite fl ier? Following on from the welcome speeches, we were delighted that she agreed to lead the procession up the hill and onto the Braes to offi cially launch the festival.

This has to be one of the noisiest and most enthusiastic events we have ever held and a great time was had by all! The Kite Festival achieved everything we hoped it would and more! So, remember to visit the stunning Cathkin Braes Country Park and keep fl ying those kites!

A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”

355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141 634 8016 FAX: 0141 634 9016 E-MAIL: info@ardenglen.org.uk A RECOGNISED CHARITY NO. SC032542 PROPERTY FACTOR REGISTRATION NO. PF000168

KITE FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS!

A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR - “PERFORMANCE!”

355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF info@ardenglen.org.uk

KITE FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS!

info@ardenglen.org.uk

FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS!

EVEN MORE TO CELEBRATE • EVEN MORE TO CELEBRATE

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We were delighted to take the opportunity to announce, to huge applause and cheering at the kite festival, that the Heritage Lottery Fund has approved our “Round 1” application for the Mountain Bike & Activity Centre.

This means that they will provide us with the necessary development funding to fi nalise our plans and then make a “Round 2” submission for a contribution towards the redevelopment costs involved in turning the former St. Martin’s Church into the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike & Activity Centre.

Lesley Macphee, Ardenglen’s Regeneration Manager said, “This is fantastic news as support, in both expertise and fi nancial terms, from the Heritage Lottery Fund will be essential to the successful delivery of this

project. They couldn’t have picked a better day to make the announcement!”

We would also like to extend our thanks to the partners who made the Kite Festival such a huge success:

• Our lead artist Vanessa Van Scherpenseel and her team for their amazing artistic vision in delivering our workshops.

• Our Revive Group for the use of their brilliant photo booth.

• To “TEEN Zone” for fi lming the event and assisting with activities.

• To Urban Roots for their ongoing support of “Grow Your Own” and their donation of a mini wind turbine and pedal powered generator.

• NHS & Glasgow Council for Alcohol for delivering fun fi lled activities.

• Castlemilk Family Day for providing us with volunteers and funding.

• Glasgow Life for providing funding and face painting.

• To Hugh O’Donnell, Chairman of the Kite Club of Scotland, who provided us with his wealth of knowledge and lots of encouragement!

• The Bike Station for providing cycling information and activities.

• Our sponsors: McDonalds (Castlemilk), Asda (Toryglen), Castlemilk Family Day, Glasgow Life, Urban Roots and Adams & Duncan Funeral Directors.

• And to the BIG Lottery Celebrate Fund.

Finally, we would like to thank the participants of our recent “Keys To Learn” programme for designing our promotional poster as part of their coursework – what a great job all round!

EVEN MORETO CELEBRATE!

Ardenglen Social Committ ee invite you to join them and the Lord Provost Sadie

Docherty in celebrati ng the legacy of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Bike Track & our up skilling project “The Only Way is Up” at the Maureen Cope Community Hall, 201 Ardencraig Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 0JJ

Ardenglen Social Committ ee invite you to join them and the Lord Provost Sadie

KITE FESTIVAL The only way is up

LIGHTREFRESHMENTS

COME ALONG AND MAKEA KITE & FLY IT ON CATHKIN BRAES

Community Hall, 201 Ardencraig Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 0JJ

FREEFUN FILLED ACTIVITIES

REFRESHMENTS LORD PROVOST WILL LAUNCH 1ST KITE FROM CATHKIN BRAES AT 4PM

REFRESHMENTS

SCIENCE WORKSHOP

PHOTO BOOTH

Adams & Duncan Funeral

Directors

Designed by Keys 2 Learn parti cipants.

TEENZONE

Thursday 25th September 2014 from 3pm – 7pm

REFRESHMENTS REFRESHMENTS

BIKE HUB

WASH & REPAIR SERVICE

2014 SUMMER SOCIAL EVENTS • 2014 SUMMER SOCIAL EVENTS

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WET WET WET fun was had by TEEN Zone participants @ Landmark Forrest Adventure Park - Friday 1st August

Sizzling Sunshine enjoyed by our younger residents & their families at Heads of Ayr on Friday 25th July

Wet & Windy Summer Fun @ Largs. For our Young @ Heart residents - Friday 29th August

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Keys to Learn Celebrates a Successful Pilot with Ardenglen(Capacity Building Course for young people aged 16-18)

In our summer issue we reported that we were about to host a pilot for the Keys to Learn programme. Funded by the Big Lottery since 2008, Keys to Learn is run by an innovative partnership of agencies concerned with addressing the multiple barriers that trigger homelessness and repeat homelessness.

The Keys to Learn programme is usually a 12 week process of learning that supports tenancy sustainment through personal development, increasing employability and financial wellbeing. Ardenglen, working with the partners and Castlemilk High

School, developed a pilot program running over six weeks and aimed specifically at young people who were about to or had recently left school with no identified progression.

The aim was to deliver a pilot concerned with early intervention; two taster sessions received 15 applications, with 10 young people aged 16 -18 participating, after which 6 young people were identified as suitable candidates for the programme.

Participants attended every Monday and Tuesday for six weeks and undertook a variety of learning opportunities including cookery, digital photography, web design, IT & personal development.

Participants, staff and volunteers have highly evaluated the pilot programme, with participants reporting significantly increased confidence and having a feeling of being part of the local community. .

An unexpected outcome was the development of a model that will enable young people to become more involved in their local community; two members have requested to join TEEN Zone with a particular interest in developing skills around TEEN Zone’s Media project.

As a celebration of the group’s learning a lunch was enjoyed at Frankie & Benny’s followed by a few games of bowling at the Hollywood Bowl.

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REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Ardenglen is rightly proud of the value placed on our Community Hall by all who use it - but it was great to see our volunteers, hall users and partners join forces to take part in a clean - up day on Sunday 7th September 2014. Even family members were roped in to give our hall some TLC before the onslaught of the winter months!

Feedback from everyone involved was very enthusiastic and positive with our younger volunteers especially pleased to smarten up the “Grow Your Own” raised beds – a special

“thanks” goes out to Urban Roots for funding our artists on the day.

Karen McDonagh, Chair of our Social Committee, spoke for everyone when she said, “Today is just what the Maureen Cope Community Hall is all about – everyone pulling together to make great things happen!”

The day ended with our workers enjoying a Chinese buffet meal together, as a small thank you for all the effort and hard work. We’re sure you’ll agree that the hall and its grounds look fantastic. A BIG “WELL DONE” to all who got involved!

SLEEVES UP AT THE MAUREEN COPE COMMUNITY HALL!

Both groups met in the Maureen Cope Community Hall and took part in a series of workshops that saw them develop storyboards based around attitudes to alcohol. Although the message was serious, great fun was had by all as participants turned photos of themselves into cartoon characters, and use them to make up stories based around the consumption of alcohol from both a negative and positive perspective.

On Thursday 7th September our Social Committee were pleased to host the GCA’s annual “GRAND” event which celebrated the joint learning between age groups from across the South of the City. The evening opened with “The Govan Allsorts Choir” performing a serious of old Glasgow songs and was followed by our REVIVE Group performing their play “Castlemilk’s Fairy God Mother” (a hysterical tale about the reasons why they have been REVIVED!). To round the evening off, our BLAZE dancers led a performance which ended with the dance fl oor packed with everyone doing the slosh! A great evening was had by all – with not a drop of alcohol in sight.

Our thanks are extended to Glasgow Council for Alcohol for providing us with this fantastic opportunity!

REVIVE & BLAZE LEARNING TOGETHER!

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REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Our REVIVE Group & BLAZE Dance joined forces during the summer holidays to take part in Glasgow Council for Alcohol’s (GCA) intergenerational project called “Alcohol Through the Ages in Glasgow”

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HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Pamela Forrest, Senior Housing Offi cer is

currently on maternity leave after having a little boy called Harry. Congratulations from everyone at Ardenglen!

RENT PAYMENTS OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIODWe know that Christmas is a very stressful time when it comes to fi nances / paying bills but this is not an acceptable reason to miss or reduce rent payments and could ultimately put your home at risk. If you know that you are going to struggle paying over Christmas then why not consider paying a little extra between now and then, any credit you build up can then be used to cover a payment at Christmas time.

If you are worried about how you will afford to cover rent over Christmas then please contact either Mary McDevitt or Lisa Lindsay at the offi ce in advance to get advice and assistance.

I know, I know! It’s far too early to think about Christmas, but did you know that if you are a smoker, you could quit and save over £500 before then.

Are you worried that you won’t be able to afford the things on Santa’s list? Most regular smokers will spend up to £7.50 a day on their cigarettes, if they have a 20 a day habit. In a week that adds up to £52! With 10 weeks to go till the big day, you could save at least £500, and more than that if you are a heavier smoker, or there are 2 or 3 of you at home who smoke.

What would you like to spend that money on?

• Could you use it to buy something extra special for your grandchildren?

• The one thing on Santa’s list that they “really really want”

• Christmas dinner out at a lovely restaurant – just think – no dishes!

• Or a treat for yourself?

There are so many ways you could spend this money.

And as well as improving your bank balance, you will also be improving your health. Less coughs and colds in the winter, easier breathing on the cold mornings, and more energy to run around and do the Christmas shopping! Stopping smoking is the biggest thing you can do to improve your health – and there is help available if you do decide to quit.

If you have questions about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), eg, patches, mouthstrips, Champix medication, or e-cigarettes just give us a call.

Or you can get help to quit by contacting us on the numbers below or by emailing southsector.smokefree@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Tel: 0800 028 5208 or 0141 232 4581

Save for Christmas!

Congratulations

RENT PAYMENTS OVER THE Save for Christmas!RENT PAYMENTS Save for Christmas!

Victims of anti social behaviour will tell you this experience is both upsetting and stressful. As a landlord, Ardenglen will endeavour to investigate and resolve instances that are reported to us. Dealing with anti social behaviour is a complex matter. In a number of cases, the action we can take does not always meet the expectations of the complainer. Here are 5 things that are useful to know about problem neighbours;

1. When we receive a report of anti social behaviour, we take a statement from you and make contact with the alleged perpetrator. If the behaviour is not admitted, we seek the views of neighbours and other agencies such as Police Scotland. The more evidence we can obtain, the stronger the case for action.

2. Our key priority is to resolve anti social behaviour. We will assess each situation on its own merits to establish if tenancy support could assist someone to modify behaviour and sustain their tenancy.

3. We aim to keep complainers of anti social behaviour fully appraised of our actions and ensure that are comfortable with how we are dealing with the report.

4. We will provide clear guidance and advice for victims of anti social behaviour. If followed, this will help us to fully understand

the extent of the issue.

5. The association is unable to evict without a court order. This will be granted following a court hearing where a Sherriff is satisfi ed that it is reasonable to do so based on written and oral evidence presented.

If you have reported anti social behaviour to us, we will ask you how you feel we have dealt with our complaint. We use this feedback to look at our services and shape them in such a way that meets your requirements, whilst still acts within the law.

We are in the process of looking at our anti social procedures, and would like to form a small group of residents to assist us. If you feel you would be willing to give us a few hours of your time, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Suzanne Casey on 631 5048 or suzanne.casey@ardenglen.org.uk for more details

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HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

Money Matters Money Advice Centre Energy Project

Do you have gas or electricity

arrears?

Are you paying off fuel debt through

a pre-payment meter?

If so then we can assist you to

make an application to:

!get a grant to pay off your energy debts owed to your gas and electricity supplier

!get a grant for other essential costs*

We can also help you to:

!apply for a discount from your energy supplier

!reduce your energy costs

!get help to pay bills WE  NOW  OFFER  APPOINTMENTS  AT  ARDENGLEN  OFFICE  ON  THE  LAST  TUESDAY  AFTERNOON  OF  EVERY  MONTH  PLEASE  CONTACT  

RECEPTION  ON  0141  634  8016  TO  BOOK  AN  APPOINTMENT    

*Grants  are  also  available  for  energy  efficient  white  goods  and  cookers,  bankruptcy  fees,  boiler  repairs  and  replacements  and  funeral  arrears.  

Ardenglen has been approached by our approved central heating contractor, to advise that they have secured funding until 2015 to replace private homeowners’ boilers under the HHCRO (Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation) scheme.

The HHCRO scheme is a key part of the Government’s “Energy Company Obligation” scheme and it has been designed to help Britain’s most vulnerable householders reduce the cost of heating ineffi cient homes.

You may qualify for a new gas replacement boiler if your boiler is broken or over 8 years old and not working properly. Qualifying criteria include receipt of:

• Child Tax credit and a relevant income of £15,860 or less

• Working Tax Credit income of £15,860 or less with disability element on review letter

• Income-related employment and support allowance and either receiving a work-related activity or support component, or has parental responsibility for a qualifying child, or is in

receipt of a qualifying component

• Income-based job seeker’s allowance and either has parental responsibility for a qualifying child, or is in receipt of a qualifying component.

• Income support and either has parental responsibility for a qualifying child, or is in receipt of a qualifying component.

• State pension credit or working tax credit and has a relevant income of £15,860 or less and either has parental responsibility for a qualifying child, or is in receipt of a disabled worker element or severe disability element, or is aged 60 years or over.

If you meet one of the above criteria

and want to fi nd out more, our approved central heating contractor will visit your home to carry out a survey and confi rm suitability. They will discuss with you what you can get for free and if there’s anything to pay towards any extras such as new pipe work, radiators or additional safety work. In most cases you won’t have to pay anything and it’s up to you if you want to go ahead.

If you are interested in participating in this programme, please contact Michelle Robertson, our Finance Assistant, on 631-5054.

ATTENTION ALL HOME OWNERS & SHARING OWNERS!!

Energy saving light bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than standard bulbs but are capable of producing the same amount of light. Using less energy to power your lights means that our homes produce less carbon dioxide emissions which are harmful to our environment and are one of the main causes of climate change.

Why use low energy light bulbs?Traditional bulbs waste over 90% of the power consumed through radiated heat, with less than 10% converted into light. Low energy bulbs use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs, and last up to 10 times as long. With energy prices constantly rising this provides a welcome saving of £5-7 per bulb, per year in electricity costs. Multiply that by all the bulbs across your home!

Doesn’t lower energy mean less light?Not necessarily. The regular 60 watt bulb used by most of us in our homes and offi ces, has an output of 600 lumens (a unit measuring the power of light). Many of the energy effi cient bulbs available have a lower output, meaning that these bulbs will appear to emit to less light.

However, the BioBulb 60W produces over twice as many lumens as a standard bulb, at 1250 lumens. This means that the light produced by the BioBulb is brighter than a traditional fi lament bulb.

Energy saving bulbs cost a lot more than traditional bulbs, am I really saving money?Many energy effi cient bulbs will last up to 10 times as long as a traditional bulb. With a traditional bulb costing around 80p and the average energy saving bulb costing around £10, then over the lifespan of an energy effi cient bulb you would have spent £8 on standard bulbs.

A low energy bulb with a life of 10000 hours would last around 7 years in the average home, over which time you would have saved over £40 in electricity compared with a traditional incandescent bulb.

So, why not do your bit to help prevent climate change and save money by implementing energy saving lighting ideas throughout your home. You can collect your free energy saving light bulb from Ardenglen’s Offi ce today!

MAINTENANCE TOP TIPIn this issue of “Maintenance Top Tips” we look at the advantages you would gain by switching to energy saving light bulbs!

As usual, our Members were out in force at Ardenglen’s AGM on the 20th August. Before getting down to the formal business of the AGM, a special meeting was held to vote on a resolution to revise the Association’s Rules, so that they meet current legal and regulatory requirements and better refl ect the modern Ardenglen. Following a short presentation by Kenny Stocks, Ardenglen’s Director, the members present voted unanimously to adopt the new Rules.

During the AGM, members listened to a report from Ardenglen’s Chairperson, Maureen Cope. Maureen stressed the importance of local community control of our housing and highlighted the huge improvements Ardenglen had made to our local area. Investment in housing, the environment and our regeneration activities had

all brought real benefi ts for local people. The meeting heard that this was lasting change - focused on the needs of our community. Maureen also paid tribute to the hard work of her fellow Management Committee, Social Committee and staff for their dedication and commitment to Ardenglen.

Next, members heard from the Association’s Auditor, who confi rmed that Ardenglen’s fi nances are strong and that our business is being run correctly; our Auditor also stated that there were no areas of concern.

The meeting then moved on to elect our Management Committee for the next year. The following members were elected to represent the membership:

• Maureen Cope• Isa Brier• Carol Mitchell• Ann Marie Docherty• Sharon Nelson• Sheena Cadden• Isobel Pope• Frank Young

• Liz McKenzie• Sandi Stone• Bobby Mitchell• Karen McDonagh• Elaine McPhail

Finally, in true Ardenglen tradition, the AGM closed with a hotly contested game of prize bingo, well done to our lucky winners. Thanks to everyone who came along, your support is greatly appreciated.

Committee Honours Sheena CaddenAs a tribute to her many years of service, Ardenglen’s Management Committee was delighted to award Sheena with the title of Honorary Secretary. The Association’s Chairperson said, “Sheena has been a stalwart of our Committee for many years and has rarely, if ever, missed a meeting. We felt it was important we recognised her contribution to Ardenglen and felt this was a way of showing her how much we valued her work.” Well done Sheena from everyone at Ardenglen!

ARDENGLEN MEMBERS ATTEND ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING!

NOTICE BOARDRutherglen Reparatory Theatre PANTO @ The Maureen Cope Community HallTuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th December 2014DICK WHITTINGTON will be visiting the Maureen Cope Community hall on Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th December. Tickets are on sale from the offi ce at a charge of £2 per ticket. Don’t delay, call into the offi ce today as tickets will be sold on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis.

Young @ Heart Christmas Lunch This year’s Young @ Heart Christmas lunch will take place on Wednesday 3rd December 2014. If you would like to be wined and dined, followed by a wee game of bingo, pop into the offi ce and get your ticket at a cost of only £2.

UNDER 11’S CHRISTMAS PARTY - Friday 5th December 2014Tickles the Clown will be arriving at the Maureen Cope Community hall at 6pm on Friday 5th December to entertain our under 11s and get them ready for a visit from the BIG Man himself “SANTA”

Tickets are available from the offi ce at £2 per child (max £5 for three or more children).

Thanks to Adams & Duncan for their kind sponsorship of our Halloween parties.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE CLOSED ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE

MONTH FROM 12 NOON

ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION

EMERGENCYPHONENUMBERS

WHEN REPORTING A REPAIR PLEASE ADVISE THE CONTRACTOR

THAT YOU ARE AN ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANT

‘REPORT-A-REPAIR’ FREE PHONELINE

0300 303 8000

FOR ALL CENTRAL HEATING & HOT WATER EMERGENCIES YOU SHOULD CALL CITY TECHNICAL ON:

08445 796 493TO REPORT GAS EMERGENCIES

FOR ALL OTHER REPAIRS YOU SHOULD CALL CITY BUILDING ON:

0800 595 595(PRESS OPTION 2 FOR CITY BUILDING)TO REPORT ALL OTHER EMERGENCIES

sponsorship of our Halloween parties.

Young @ Heart Christmas Lunch

Community hall at 6pm on Friday 5th December to entertain