Around the Houses

August 2011

Welcome to the first edition of ‘Around the Houses’! ‘Around the Houses’ will be published monthly to showcase the

excellent work members are doing in a wide variety of different areas. If you have any stories you’d like to include in the next

edition, please send them to bethan-samuel@chcymru.org.uk. All stories received will also be put up on CHC’s website.

Doing it for the kids: RCT Homes

RCT Homes has sprung into action in Penywaun to address concerns over anti social behaviour. RCT Homes teamed up with local organisations to create the ‘Penywaun action group’ to put an end to the behaviour. They carried out a survey which showed that respondents wanted more diversionary activities for young people and a better police presence. The group organised a community safety fun day where people could pick up bike locks and safety kits, and funded the police with safety gear which led to a greater police presence on the estate. Maria Griffiths, a tenant and youth worker, said: ‘The improvements to living in Penywaun are already noticeable. People have more pride in where they are from and the action being taken means that anti social behaviour levels are improving. Things are definitely looking better in Penywaun!’

Tenants Group get up to date technology: Tai Ceredigion

The residents of Maes Gogerddan Sheltered Scheme in Aberystwyth have won a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to invest in new digital technology. They have replaced the old television in the lounge with a 50” widescreen digital TV and a touch screen computer with magnifier and printer. Tai Ceredigion has donated a Nintendo Wii and broadband connection. Steve Jones, Chief Executive of Tai Ceredigion said, ‘This is a very exciting time as it forms the first part of our digital strategy for our Sheltered housing Schemes… It is paramount that we provide digital services for our tenants as this opens new communication channels, public services and everyday savings and conveniences, as well as giving tenants access to interactive services from Tai Ceredigion… We will be encouraging intergeneration skills group meetings, where young people and school children will help our residents get to grips with their new computers and game consoles. They can share and compare experiences and break down the barriers between the generations and show them the basic steps.’

Around the HousesAugust 2011Le Tour a France!: Newydd HA

Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Newydd HA, is set to cycle from Cardiff to Paris...

‘The Tour de France took place recently and I am now training for my own Tour a France. Between 21 and 24 September 2011 a group of riders will be attempting the trip from Cardiff to Paris. The money we raise will support the invaluable work of Shelter Cymru.

As if the cycle ride was not a challenge enough for this 50-something part time cyclist, the task of raising the minimum £1500 sponsorship is. This is why I am counting on your help and generosity to get me to that target so I can concentrate on staying upright and pedalling. Online donations can be made at:

http://bit.ly/olhOeq

For sponsorship information, please contact: paul.roberts@newydd.co.ukRemember this is a fantastic opportunity for your company to get maximum exposure as I will be on the road longer than the other riders!

Many thanks in anticipation of your generosity, now where are my cycle clips?’

Newport City Homes secures £50k in back-dated Housing Benefit

Newport City Homes’ Financial Inclusion team has secured £50k worth of backdated housing benefit for the organisation’s residents since the team was established in January 2010. 60 residents have benefited from the service, helping to reduce or clear outstanding rent arrears and in some cases avoid eviction procedures being introduced. The team was established as part of the promises given to residents in the pre-transfer period and provides support and advice on a range of money matters. The team has also delivered workshops for residents with the aim of providing intense advice and support on money matters.

Grandbuddies with green fingers: Charter Housing

Charter Housing’s older tenants have enjoyed becoming grandbuddies to students at a Newport school. Children from Maesglas Primary School and residents of Stratford House, a retirement scheme run by Charter, came together on the Grandbuddies project which saw them gardening and exchanging experiences of childhood.

The six-week long intergenerational project is aimed at encouraging understanding between young and elderly people. The pupils helped residents prepare their communal gardens for the Newport in Bloom competition and enjoyed talks about age-related health matters, exercise, memory and history.

‘We found the children were very keen to learn and seemed to enjoy our company,’ said Gladys Stone, an 81-year-old Stratford House resident. ‘We are grateful for their help in planting and have asked that they get credit for their work.’

Luke Underwood, an 11 year old pupil, said ‘I enjoyed the Grandbuddies because the old people are sweet and lovely and they like us hanging about with them. I have learnt that old people are not boring – they love doing lots of stuff and keep busy. I also hope they think we are sweet too.’

One of CT Clwyd’s founders returns to the fold

CT Clwyd’s newly appointed Director of Properties, Rhys Dafis, was involved in the founding of Tai Clwyd over 30 years ago. He took on his new role in April 2011, returning to north Wales after nearly 30 years. He is delighted to be back: ‘I have been extremely fortunate to secure this role, and I’m delighted to be back here and working for an organisation which has done so much for the local area. We established Tai Clwyd in the 70s at a time of great demand for local affordable housing. Even though the Association has provided over 1800 homes since then, the housing need remains. In a sense I’m continuing what I helped start over 30 years ago, and it’s an exciting challenge! More and more people are finding it difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder... This will, no doubt, put more emphasis and demand on social housing and affordable homes at a time when housing faces a substantial grant reduction over at least the next 3 years – this will be another great challenge for us, as we balance investment and new projects with a decreasing budget.’

Volunteers from Nepal: Bron Afon Community Housing

Bron Afon Community Housing is running a lottery-funded project to encourage people to volunteer at its 39 retirement housing schemes, and 36 members of the Nepalese community in Torfaen are taking part. The group all have connections to former Gurkhas who moved to Wales after their army service. The project is being run by Bron Afon’s volunteer coordinators Rachel and Lukasz. Rachel said: ‘We are looking for volunteers to help residents aged over 55 with things like shopping trips or just a friendly chat if they are lonely. Volunteers can learn new skills and we can help them get on to training courses. Over the next two years we aim to recruit 200 volunteers and help 50 people get into training and employment.’ Lukasz added: ‘The response from the Nepalese community has been amazing.’

Local people to get priority for housing: Mid Wales HA

Plans by Mid-Wales HA to give local people priority for its housing has received overwhelming support locally, as well as tacit approval from the Welsh Government. Mid-Wales HA first raised this issue in December 2010 when it launched a consultation exercise aimed at stimulating debate on how affordable housing should be allocated. It has now published the results of that consultation exercise: www.mid-walesha.co.uk. 63% of replies supported the association’s proposals to give preference to local people and/or applicants that would provide a positive impact on the local community, such as those with a history of employment or of volunteer work. Chief Executive, Shane Perkins, said, ‘We have become increasingly concerned that traditional approaches often fail to consider the wider needs of the communities where we have housing, and it is quite clear that the people of Mid-Wales largely agree with us’.

Around the HousesAugust 2011

Young volunteers help our at Raffles: Clwyd Alyn HA

A group of volunteers from a Supported Living Scheme for homeless young people have been helping out with a kitchen make-over so that a new luncheon club for older people can open up at the Raffles (RAFA) Club in Wrexham. Offa Community Council, are busy setting up a luncheon club at the premises so that older people can come along for a hot meal. When they needed a hand sprucing up the kitchens, residents from the Hurst Newton scheme run by Clwyd Alyn HA offered to help out. ‘We were really pleased to have been able to help. The residents here have a lot of respect for older people,’ said Fiona, Senior Project Officer at Hurst Newton. The residents volunteered their time over two days and used the experience to gain new skills.

First for Wales as ‘giant lego’ development takes place in Ceredigion: CT Cantref

Construction has begun on a new £250,000 green housing scheme in Ceredigion. Developed by CT Cantref, it is the first Welsh housing scheme that will meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes using the revolutionary Durisol interlocking wall-form system. Made from 80% recycled timber, the Durisol blocks are slotted together in a dry stack process to produce a structure that is strong, durable, fireproof at 1,100 degrees centigrade and offers a range of sustainable benefits. Gareth Thomas, Development Manager, said: ‘Once finished, the structure improves the thermal performance of the home, while lowering energy requirements, which helps the home owner enjoy lower fuel bills and comfortable room temperatures all year round. Also, the blocks won’t rot or burn, making them a safe and sustainable choice.” The new homes are being built to the Lifetime Homes standard which ensures they will continue to meet tenants’ needs as they grow older, helping them maintain long term independence.

North Wales Housing reclaim trash for treasure

Staff and service users from North Wales Housing’s homeless hostel in Bangor spent a productive day collecting tents, camping equipment and clothing left over by festival goers at the Wakestock Festival. Invited by the event organisers, the group reclaimed over 100 tents, 47 sleeping bags, 54 inflatable beds, 51 camping chairs, 45 roll mats, 17 pairs of wellies and eight pillows! Items will be redistributed to homeless rough sleepers across Bangor. Items will also be shared with the Gwynedd Dispersed Supported Housing team, local hostels and day centres, and the homeless drop-in centre. Lynne Evans of NWH said: ‘Homelessness is a huge issue in Bangor... services such as ours are continually challenged to find funding and resources to give these people the support they need. We’d like to say a huge thanks to organisers at Wakestock who gave us this great opportunity and we can assure them that all items will be put to great use.’

Around the HousesAugust 2011