homes and people july 2014

In this issue

Get involved See page 12

You’ve Got the Power See page 8

Training successes See page 15

Make Your Own Money See page 7

July/August 2014Bringing you all the news that matters to you

homes people&

Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 5076256.Registered offi ce: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PR.A company controlled by Newcastle City Council.

Designed by: barkingdog design and layout. Printed by: Mosaic Print Management Plcpage 2

YHN Housing Services

Housing Options

YHN Housing Services @ Byker 0191 278 1555

YHN Housing Services @ East End 0191 278 1566

YHN Housing Services @ Kenton 0191 277 4360

YHN Housing Services @ Outer West 0191 277 7940

YHN Housing Services @ Walker 0191 278 8455

YHN Housing Services @ West End 0191 277 1484

Adaptations 0191 278 3842

Customer Involvement 0191 278 8720

Community Care Alarm Service 0191 278 8699

Envirocall 0191 278 7878

HASBET (Housing Anti-SocialBehaviour Enforcement Team) 0191 278 8740

Housing Advice Centre 0191 277 1711

Housing Options Centre 0191 277 2020

Leasehold 0191 278 7725

Newcastle Furniture Service (NFS) 0191 278 1888

Repairs Centre and Gas Servicing 0191 277 8888

Young People’s Service 0191 277 1190Rent 这是有关您的租金账户的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278

8633 索取。 Repairs 这是有关要求维修您的住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191

278 8633 索取。 Right to Buy 这是有关租客有权购买他们的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致

电 0191 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 这是有关您作为纽卡斯尔市政租客所需要承担的责任的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语

言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。 YCH 这是有关我们的出租服务的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278

8633 索取。 YHN general / Homes + People

这是有关代表纽卡斯尔市政府（Newcastle City Council）负责管理市政房屋的 Your Homes Newcastle（您的纽卡斯尔住房）组织的信息，内容解释了我们是如何运作。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其

它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 8633 索取。

Rent 這是關於您的租金賬戶的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

Repairs 這是關於如何要求維修您住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

Right to Buy 這是關於租客有權購買他們的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致

電 0191 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 這是關於您作為紐卡素市政府租客所需要承擔的責任的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語

言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。 YCH 這是關於我們的出租服務的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 0191 278

8633 索取。 YHN general / Homes + People

這是關於 Your Homes Newcastle（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府

（Newcastle City Council）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它

語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。

0191 278 8633 †dvb K‡i Avcwb GKwU wjwLZ Abyev‡ì Rb¨ ej‡Z cv‡ib| Newcastle Furniture service

GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvg wbDK¨vmj- KvDwÝ‡ji dvwb©Pvi mvwf©m mg‡Ü hviv †Ubv›U‡ì Ni evox mvRv‡Z mvnv‡hï Rb¨ dvwb©Pvi mieivn K‡i| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤̂v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Rent GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi †i›U GKvD›U (fvovi wnmve wbKvm) m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Repairs GB Z_¨ nj Avcbvi Ni evox †givgZ Ki‡Z PvIqv m¤^‡Ü|GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Right to Buy GB Z_¨ nj †Ubv›U‡ì KvDwÝ‡ji Ni evox †Kbvi AwaKvi m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

Tenancy GB Z_¨ nj wbDKvm¨vj KvDwÝ‡ji †Ubv›U wnmv‡e Avcbvi `vq `vwqZ¡ m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YCH GB Z_¨ nj Avgv‡ì †jwUs mvwf©m( fvov welqK) m¤̂‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YHN general/Homes + People

GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj mg‡Ü| Ges Avgiv wKfv‡e `vwqZ¡ cvjb KiwQ †m mg‡Ü| BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj, wbDK¨vmj wmwU KvDwÝ‡ji c‡¶ KvDwÝ‡ji Ni evox eë¯’vcbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ‡qvRb nq Zvn‡j GB bv¤^v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633

YHN general / Homes + People

اسل ، نيوك شهردارى از سوى اين سازمان. عملكرد آن است و » شما در نیوکاسل هاى خانه«درباره سازمان اين اطالعات مسئوليت اداره خانه هاى دولتى را به عهده دارد. در صورت نياز به اين اطالعات به زبان فارسى يا زبان هاى ديگر با شماره تلفن

٠١٩١٢٧٨٨۶٣٣ تماس بگيريد.

téléphoner au 0191 278 8633 pour obtenir une traduction écrite.

Newcastle Furniture service

Ces informations concernent le service « mobilier » de Your Homes Newcastle, qui fournit du mobilier aux locataires pour les aider à s’installer dans leur logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Rent Ces informations concernent votre loyer. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Repairs Ces informations concernent les demandes de travaux pour votre logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Right to Buy Ces informations concernent les droits des locataires relatifs à l’acquisition de leur logement social. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

Tenancy Ces informations concernent vos responsabilités en tant que locataire de la municipalité de Newcastle. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

YCH Ces informations concernent notre service de location. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.


Ces informations concernent Your Homes Newcastle : qui est chargé de gérer les logements sociaux au nom de la municipalité de Newcastle et comment nous procédons. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633.

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Right to Buy òŠb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@î‹Ø@üi@çbåï“å–‹Ø@Àbà@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@N@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷

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<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Rent Esta informação refere-se à sua renda. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra

língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Repairs Esta informação refere-se ao pedido de reparações em sua casa. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Esta informação refere-se ao direito que os inquilinos têm de comprar a sua habitação social. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Esta informação refere-se às suas responsabilidades como inquilino social em Newcastle. Se

precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YCH Esta informação refere-se ao serviço de arrendamento. Se precisar desta informação em

<português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Esta informação refere-se à Your Homes Newcastle, a organização responsável pela gestão da habitação social em nome do Município de Newcastle, e a nossa situação actual. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633.

idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Repairs Ésta es información sobre cómo pedir que se realicen reparaciones en su casa. Si necesita esta

información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Right to Buy Ésta es información sobre los derechos de los inquilinos a comprar su vivienda municipal. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Tenancy Ésta es información sobre sus responsabilidades como inquilino municipal de Newcastle. Si necesita

esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YCH Ésta es información sobre nuestro servicio de adjudicación. Si necesita esta información en español

o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. YHN general / Homes + People

Ésta es información sobre Your Homes de Newcastle, que es la responsable de gestionar las viviendas municipales en nombre del Ayuntamiento de Newcastle, y sobre nuestra manera de hacerlo. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633.

This is ‘Homes & People’ the newsletter for Newcastle council tenants and leaseholders. If you want this information in your own language we will arrange for an interpreter to help you on 0191 278 8633. This information is also available in easy read, large print, Braille and audio tape. We can also arrange for you to see a British Sign Language interpreter.

ContentsIn this issue

??See page 11

???See page 12

??See page 14

Make your own money

See page 7

July/August 2014

Bringing you all the news that matters to youhomes people& • Welcome

Page 4 • Stay toasty warm for less this winter• Put up a warm front

Page 5 • DIY to pay your rent!• Make a difference

Page 6 • Taking a fresh look at YHN

Page 7 • Ever fancied being your own boss?

Page 8 • You’ve got the power

Page 10 • Get into gardening!• Reserve your career

Page 11 • Looking for work?• Grub’s up!

Page 12 • Get involved!

Page 14 • £25 prize wordsearch

Page 15 • On course for success• Beware of your dog!• Community clothes swaps

Page 16 • Jobs & training - Jobs and training fair - United for Employment

Read previous editions online: www.yhn.org.uk/tenancy_services/homes_people

Whether it’s at the supermarket checkout, paying for petrol at the pump or banking online, we’re all doing things for ourselves much more than ever. So it felt like a good time to dedicate a newsletter to all the ways we’re making it possible for you to do it yourself!

With all the changes that we’ve made over the last ten years, we’ve tried to improve the service we provide to you. We’re no different to any other business, so when new things come along, especially with technology, it’s our duty to use what we can to increase the choices you have. Ultimately, we want to make things easier for you.

Things like smartphones give us the chance to access information and use services any time, any place. Making things like paying rent or reporting a repair available all day, every day, gives you the opportunity to do things when it’s convenient for you and enables us to respond

quicker, which is better for both of us!

In this issue you can fi nd out about the various ways you can pay your rent or service charges, about how you could make a difference on your estate with our You’ve got the Power project, and how some of our customers have made their own money by starting their own business.

And if starting your own business sounds too ambitious – you might be surprised. All you need is an idea and a bit of guidance and you too could be running a successful business in no time!

We hope you enjoy our DIY issue – we’d love to hear your ideas on how we can help you to do it yourself (like making more services available online for example). If you have any suggestions please email us at [email protected]

Neil ScottDirector of Tenancy Services

Welcome to the July/August edition of Homes & People. Do It Yourself!

page 3

hear your ideas on how we can help you to do

Stay toasty warm for less this winterWith the recent sunny weather you probably haven’t given a second thought to the cold winter months, but we have and we’re encouraging tenants to start thinking now about how they plan to stay warm this winter.

Book a free visit from our Energy for the Future team and they could help you to heat your home for less and be more energy efficient. They’ll provide information and advice, help you to switch energy supplier and fit energy saving products in your home.

Barry English from High Heaton did exactly that. He said “It’s been absolutely fantastic – I’ve learnt so much from the visit and I’ve been able to keep costs down just by monitoring the amount of gas and electricity I’m using.

“You can always keep your house warm if you do it the right way and that’s what I’m doing now. A lot of people think it’s impossible but it’s really not. I’ve never

looked back and I’m so grateful for the help and advice I received.”

Lots of other tenants have benefitted from an Energy for the Future visit too. They’ve reduced their energy bills and are heating their homes more comfortably.

Don’t wait for Jack Frost to come knocking – protect your home against the winter blues now! Book your Energy for the Future visit on 0191 278 8625 or email [email protected]

If you qualify but don’t get it paid automatically, you will need to make a claim. You can do this by visiting the www.gov.uk website and searching “Heating and housing benefits”.

If you live in a home that is part of a district and group heating system you may have been caught out by the long, harsh winter we had last year. The Winter Fuel Payment could help you to pay any outstanding heating bills you were left with because of the extremely cold weather. As the money is paid direct to you, all you need to do is give us a call when you receive it and make a payment.

Put up a warm front Did you know you could get between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay your heating bills? If you were born on or before 5 July 1952 and qualify for the payment, it will usually be paid to you automatically between November and December.

To find out how to make a payment simply call the regeneration team on 0191 278 3842 who will help you to do this.

With so many different ways to pay your rent and service charges everyone can be good at DIY (doing it yourself)!

We want to make paying your YHN bills as easy and convenient as possible. That’s why we offer a wide range of payment methods including online, over the phone and at Post Office and PayPoint outlets – which now offer longer opening hours. Visit www.paypoint.co.uk to check where your nearest outlet is.

Or why not sign up to pay by Direct Debit? Direct Debit is the easiest, most convenient way to pay without leaving your living room! Direct Debit is safe and secure and you can choose what date and how often your payments are – so you could arrange for it to leave your account just after you receive your wages or benefits. You can set up a Direct Debit quickly and easily over the phone by calling 0191 278 7749.

Paying by Direct Debit also gives you chances to win! Each month we hold a £50 prize draw that all Direct Debit payers are entered into. And, every three months, anyone who is up to date with their rent account is entered into a £250 prize draw however you choose to pay!

If you do still like to pay in person at a Customer Service Centre, Newcastle City Council has recently made some changes to its opening times. The table below shows when you can pay at each centre:

Civic Centre Sandyford Road 8.30am - 4.30pm NE1 8PU Monday to Friday

Outer West Denton Park 8.30am - 4.30pm CSC Shopping Centre, Monday to Friday NE5 2QZ CLOSED Wednesday

East End Shields Road, 8.30am - 4.30pm CSC Byker, NE6 1DN Monday to Friday CLOSED Wednesday

West End Condercum Road, 8.30am - 4.30pm CSC Benwell, NE4 9JH Monday to Friday CLOSED Thursday

Kenton CSC Hillsview Avenue, 8.30am - 4.30pm NE3 3QJ Friday ONLY

DIY to pay your rent! Make a differenceNewcastle Tenants’ and Residents’ Federation is looking for new members to join its existing independent scrutiny panel.

If you would like to improve your knowledge, develop life and work skills, gain valuable ‘work experience’ and have the chance to make a real difference to council housing services then this is a great opportunity for you!

All you need is two days a month to spare, a willingness to work independently and as part of a team and some enthusiasm for learning new skills and suggesting ideas.

This is a voluntary role so you will not be paid, however, any money you spend in carrying out the role will be paid back to you.

If you’d like to find out more please contact Karen by phone: 0191 285 2724, text: 07435 960 772 or email: [email protected]

page 5

Taking a fresh look at YHN

You may have heard that Newcastle City Council is carrying out a review of YHN.

YHN has been operating for ten years now and has achieved a huge amount in that time – from bringing all Newcastle City Council housing up to and beyond the Decent Homes Standard, to developing Newcastle Furniture Service, helping establish Leazes Homes and creating a new retail brand, 1907.

The management agreement between the Council and YHN runs until 2016. Towards the end of last year it was decided that we needed to look at what the future held for YHN and how it could work more closely with the Council in the future.

Our overall aim is that you won’t see any difference to the way you receive services from us. YHN’s future as the managing agent for Newcastle’s Council homes is safe and it will continue to provide you with the same services that it does now. The majority of the changes are concerned with what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ so YHN will still collect rent, organise repairs, deal with face-to-face queries and issues and help with advice about welfare.

We are operating in a difficult environment with lots of pressure on us to save money. We’re looking at where there is cross-over with the Council and trying to identify ways that we can work together more efficiently and avoid duplication.

The review is well underway and a group made up of senior officers from YHN and Newcastle City Council is providing guidance and direction. This group is overseen by the Chair of YHN and the Leader of Newcastle City Council to ensure both organisations are fully represented.

Some good progress has been made and we have identified some areas for real savings by bringing more services in-house and by combining some of the work we do.

The review isn’t about reducing services to customers, it’s about being more savvy with the money we have so that we can continue to provide you with good quality housing and related services.

We don’t expect you will see any major changes during, or indeed after, the review but we will of course make sure you are kept informed if any potential changes are likely to affect you.

Regards,

Olivia Grant – Chair of YHN

Nick Forbes – Leader of Newcastle City Council

Ever fancied being your own boss?

It doesn’t just work for the Richard Bransons of this world – there are loads of ways you could turn an interest, hobby or skill into a business. Often the simplest ideas are the most effective.

Lots of YHN customers are already running their own companies and now we’d like to help even more of you do the same through our new project, Make Your Own Money.

We’re working with Sustainable Enterprise Strategies (SES), a local social enterprise company with over thirty years’ experience in helping people to become self-employed.

They’ve already helped a number of our customers start a business – from hairdressers to delis there’s a whole host of ideas they can help get off the ground – and now we’d like to hear from you too!

SES can help with any queries you may have and will guide you through the entire process so you don’t have to worry about a thing. All enquiries will be completely confidential and they’ll work with you at your own pace – all you need is an idea and a little enthusiasm and SES can help you with the rest!

If you think you might like to Make Your Own Money, why not get in touch with us using the details below and get started on your journey towards being your own boss?

We’re having a information session where you can come along and find out about all the support we have available. The event is on Tuesday 19 August at 10am at City Library. You can book your place by:

• Phoning 0191 278 8600 • Texting ‘Business’ followed by your name to 07814 753 088 • E-mailing [email protected]

Clare Henderson from Newburn set up a dog crèche, Paws to Play, after struggling to find anywhere suitable to take care of her own dog. She said: “It’s going well and a lot of people are hearing about us through word of mouth and recommendations, which is brilliant. I’ve had really positive feedback from some of our customers.

“I’m so pleased I decided to set the company up. It was a risk and something I never thought I would be able to do but I’ve loved turning something that was a hobby into a career.”

You can read more about Clare’s business at www.pawstoplaycreche.co.uk

Even if you’ve never considered it before, becoming self-employed can be a really interesting and enjoyable way to earn some cash.

MAKE YOUR OWN

£

You’ve got the PowerSince we launched round 2 of our “You’ve got the Power – building communities through positive change” project in April, you’ve made over 300 suggestions!

Ideas have been suggested by everyone from customers and staff to councillors and Tenant and Resident Associations.

Our technical team has been carrying out surveys to look at whether the suggestions are suitable for You’ve got the Power or whether they could be included in other investment programmes.

On 4 July we narrowed the suggestions down to a shortlist. We then met with the Tenants’ Panel who helped us decide how we would consult with residents on those suggestions. Consultation is now taking place to find out whether residents need or want the work to be carried out. Where the majority of tenants are in favour of the scheme, they will progress to the next stage.

Once we have finished consultation, the Tenants’ Panel will decide on which schemes

will feature in the voting guide. Guides will be sent out with our next issue of Homes & People and you will be able to cast your votes by post, telephone or email.

The Panel said: “Our job is to oversee everything that is happening with the project. We meet regularly, get lots of

information from YHN and have a real say in how the programme runs and how the money is spent. It’s a lot of responsibility but we love being involved because tenants really do ‘have the power’. Any tenant can vote and all ideas, no matter whether they are big or small, get considered.

“Lots of projects have already started on site and we have been out to visit

some of the completed ones. If your project was successful in the first round but hasn’t started yet then don’t worry.

Improvements have been made to planters in Englefield Close.

“Hundreds of ideas have been

submitted for the next round of

funding so thank you to everyone who put an idea

forward.”

“There is a still a lot to do but we are confident that all projects will be complete by the end of March 2015.

“Hundreds of ideas have been submitted for the next round of funding so thank you to everyone who put an idea forward. We ask that you please read the voting guide when you get it and cast your vote because it genuinely does count. We’ll continue to keep an eye on things here and we look forward to providing you with another update soon.”

So far 14 schemes from round 1 have been completed, including The Retreat in Newburn, Harehills in Montagu, Bowfell Avenue in Montagu, Kirston Avenue in Lemington and Englefield Close in Kingston Park.

Both Bowfell and Kirston Avenue have benefitted from improved parking facilities and Englefield Close has renewed planters and a resurfaced road in the courtyard.

Look out for further details in the next issue of Homes & People and, if you’ve any queries about You’ve Got the Power in the meantime, you can contact us on 0191 278 3842.

you’ve got the

Round 2power

Reserve Your Career

Attention young people!

Are you 18-30 and unemployed?

Have you ever considered joining the Army Reserves?

You may be surprised to hear about the wide range of exciting opportunities available to both men and women through the Army Reserves. It’s a really exciting time to become one because support to the British Army is being increased over the next couple of years.

The training you get as a reserve could really make your CV stand out and increase your chances in the wider job market. You’ll even get paid to do the training! It’s not just the training though - being a reserve involves meeting new people and developing a great social life with opportunities to travel and experience new and exciting things.

We are working with the Army Reserves to help customers find out more about these opportunities at our Reserve Your Career information event.

If you’re interested then come along to this free and friendly event at Newcastle Central Library on 15 August from 10am-3pm. We’ll provide you with refreshments and travel expenses and, if you like what you hear, you’ll have the chance to attend an all-expenses paid follow up event at an army barracks. There you’ll get involved in activities like cooking in an army field kitchen and trying out some of the equipment used by the British Army!

To register your interest or to book your place, contact us by: telephoning 0191 278 8600, texting your name and “Reserves” to 07814 753 088 or e-mailing [email protected]

Are you unemployed and aged between 16 and 25? (or if not, maybe you know someone who is?)Would you like an apprenticeship that keeps you away from a desk, out in the fresh air and gives you a qualification at the same time? If the answer is yes then we’ve got a course that could help you achieve just that!We’re teaming up with The Prince’s Trust and Northumberland College to deliver an exciting course called “Get Into Gardening”. This course will last for four weeks and everyone who completes it is guaranteed an interview for one of seven gardening apprenticeships with YHN.We know it can be daunting committing to a four week course straight away. So we have organised

a taster day on Tuesday 5 August so you can find out more in a friendly environment before deciding whether to enrol. The course will start on 11 August and include practical gardening skills, an accredited qualification, a week-long work placement and help to develop your CV, apply for the apprenticeship and prepare for the interview. Even if you don’t get one of the seven apprenticeships, you will still have the experience from the course on your CV and get six months more support from The Prince’s Trust to find employment elsewhere.Transport to and from the course from central Newcastle will be provided and you’ll receive expenses to cover lunch.

We expect the taster session to fill up very quickly so don’t delay. Contact us now to secure your place by: telephoning 0191 278 8600, texting your name and “Get into” to 07814 753 088 or e-mailing [email protected]

Get into gardening! Apprenticeship opportunity

!

Looking for work?We offer a range of apprenticeships to tenants aged 16-24. They are a great way for you to get some really valuable work experience and gain an NVQ Level 2 as well as other qualifications. And you earn some decent money at the same time!

We offer year-long apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, housing, ICT, finance, warehousing and gardening.

We’re not as interested in your previous work experience as we are in your enthusiasm and desire to become a valued member of our team. In fact, some of the people we’ve had working on an apprenticeship haven’t had a

job before and now they’re doing really well and working for us permanently.

We understand that the world of work may be a bit new so we offer a really supportive environment – our staff are keen to make sure you get as much out of your time with us as possible.

Our current warehousing apprentices

If you’d like to hear more about YHN apprenticeships please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0191 277 3663 or visit www.yhn.org.uk for more details

Sponsored by Food Nation, YPS has set up Grub Club – a fun weekly session that teaches young people how to shop on a budget, cook healthy meals and about safety in the kitchen.

The six week course includes a weekly challenge where young people have to buy ingredients and cook a healthy meal on a set budget. At the end of each session everyone sits down together to eat and decide on next week’s challenge.

Kerry Irvine, Peer Education Coordinator at Youth Voice, said: “Grub Club is a great challenge for the young people. They learn how to cook healthy recipes on a budget and how to batch cook so they have enough meals for the week instead of grabbing fast

food from the high street.

“Grub Club is also a place they can learn about the benefits that healthy eating has for physical and mental health and is a place where young people can come together to make friends and learn new skills.”

Michaela Baird is one of the young people who goes to Grub Club. She said “Now I know how to budget when buying food and I now buy more fresh food, rather than always buying frozen. I am trying new things, like curry, which I didn’t like before, by just changing one ingredient. This means I now know that missing out one thing doesn’t mean I am missing out on a whole meal, like swapping meat for Quorn, which is healthier anyway!”

If you would like to get involved in Grub Club, or any other part of Youth Voice, contact Kerry Irvine on 0191 277 1146 or email [email protected]

Grub’s up!If you’re aged between 16 and 25 and your idea of a nutritious meal is a microwave burger, never fear, our Young People’s Service (YPS) can help!

What’s important to you!

Cut out and keep!

We’re committed to fi nding out what really matters to you. Last year we talked to over 1,600 of you at over 100 different events to fi nd out what your priorities are and how we can address them.Earlier this year a group of YHN customers met to consider the feedback we’d gathered throughout 2013/14 and turn them into “local offers”. These local offers highlight the issues that are most important to you and set out our responses for 2014/15.

You can read all of the local offers we’re currently working on below and, if you’re keen to make sure we stick to them, you can join our Performance Plus group – see the next page for details of how you can get involved with us in this and a number of other ways.

What lots of customers have told us:

It’s great that YHN helps tenants get into employment but support needs to be there to ensure customers have opportunities once their employment at YHN fi nishes.

All the changes with the housing management service are due to welfare reform. How will you know it makes a difference?

Digital by default is always in the news. Customers need support to help access the Internet.

YHN need to continue to invest in the quality of homes.

Customers want their estates to be clean and tidy. The inspection process carried out by customers identifi es areas that need improvement.

Staff are important to the organisation to deliver the services we want.

YHN need to make more money to help deliver services.

It is important to collect as much rent as possible to ensure quality of services provided.

Our local offers will ensure:

We will work with apprentices and Your Homes Your Jobs staff to ensure that 70% will move into further education, training or employment.

An evaluation report will be published to determine the effectiveness of the welfare reform service review.

We will look at options for providingtenant broadband in our properties.

We will deliver 4,150 improvements to ensure properties are maintained to ahigh standard.

80% of estates will receive a silver rating or above through the Going for Gold inspections.

We will continue to support staff who are off work ill to help them get back to work and reduce the number of days off sick.

We will work to generate additional income to ensure we can continue to support the services we provide to customers.

We will collect £112.76 million of rent and service charges.

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What’s important to you!

page 13

Getting involved has lots of benefits, you can:

• Find out more about who YHN is and what we do;

• Tell us what we are doing right and what we could improve;

• Develop your own skills and experience…lots of people have gone on to find employment

• Meet new people and have some fun

And it’s not about attending boring meetings in stuffy rooms – there are lots of exciting and different ways to get involved.

Mystery shoppingDo your own ‘007’ work by going undercover and testing the services we provide through telephone calls, e-mails or visits to offices.

Readers’ PanelHelp us develop our newsletters, posters and information for customers.

Customer inspectionsCustomer Inspectors have the opportunity to really examine how a YHN service works. This involves speaking to staff, looking at budgets, and reviewing complaints and performance.

Focus groupsOften our best way of understanding how we are doing is speaking to customers who have recently used a service.

Estate inspectorsHelp us improve the appearance of your local neighbourhood.

Performance PlusWe will work with you to look at how we are performing, what we are spending and what other customers are saying, so that you can tell us what you think.

These are just a few of the ways you can get involved – there are lots more. We will provide support for any session that you attend so this might be help with travel costs or an interpreting service.

Tenants are at the heart of what we do and we want to keep it that way. If you do want to get involved or would like to speak to the team about any of the opportunities then you can:

• Phone 0191 278 3663;• Text ‘involve’ followed by your name to 07814 753 088, or • E-mail [email protected]

Want to find out more about YHN and help to improve the services it offers? Then get involved with our customer involvement team!

£25 prize wordsearchComplete the wordsearch to win a £25 Eldon Square voucher to spend on whatever you fancy!

Send your completed puzzle along with your name, address and a daytime telephonenumber to: Homes & People competition, Communications team, Your Homes Newcastle, YHN House, Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX by 31 August 2014.

Please note: competitions are only open to tenants and leaseholders with no rent arrears.

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Daytime telephone number:

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✁page 14

Our Tenant Training Programme has continued to go from strength to strength and it is providing more and more tenants with pathways back into work. Paul, Debbie and Hamzah all completed the United for Employment training course that we deliver with the Newcastle United Foundation. All three completed the course, gained qualifications, developed a range of skills for work and benefitted from a two week work placement with one of Newcastle United Foundation’s main sponsors.

They also went on to complete the Practical Skills course delivered by YHN, which leads to a guaranteed interview for a job with us. All three tenants were successful at interview and have started six month paid placements with YHN.

This is great news for Paul, Debbie and Hamzah but the success stories don’t end there as tenant training is not just about providing jobs at YHN - we also run a number of courses that lead to interviews and jobs in other sectors.

Amy from West Denton recently completed our Care Work course, she said: “The course was really useful and I found out lots about the care work industry. I’ve never had a care work job before so it was all very new to me but I really enjoyed the course.

“I successfully completed the course and I was given an interview for a job with CASA (Care and Share Associates). I’d been given interview help during the course so it all went ok and I got one of the jobs. I’m really excited and looking forward to starting!”

Beware of your dog!Royal Mail has appealed to customers in Newcastle with dogs to keep them under control when the postie calls after a 33% increase in attacks last year. Shockingly, over 70 postmen and women were attacked by dogs in the NE postcode area between April 2013 – April 2014 and new legislation means owners can now be prosecuted if an attack takes place on private property – so there’s even more reason to make sure your animal doesn’t cause any problems.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of your dog attacking your postman or woman, which mainly involves making sure your dog is distracted at the time they visit and keeping he or she away from the area the mail is dropped. Further tips and information are available at www.royalmail.com/dogawareness - please read this and help us to keep the people who provide this valuable service safe.

On course for success

Full details of all of our training options, including the next United for Employment course which is due to start in September, can be found on the back page of this issue along with contact details for information and registering.

Community clothes swaps North East Wardrobe organise clothes swaps around the region on the last Saturday of the month. This is a really good opportunity for anyone who wants to save cash by exchanging things like kids’ clothes and school shoes that no longer fit as well as loads of other things – a win, win situation for everyone involved!

For more information about North East Wardrobe and to find out if any events are happening in your area please email [email protected] or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northeastwardrobe

Debbie Fisher

Jobs and training fair

United for Employment

If you want to fi nd out about some fantastic training and job opportunities, why not come along to our jobs and training fair at St. James’ Park on Monday 11 August? There’ll be lots of employers and training partners there to answer your questions and talk through potential opportunities with you.

So, whether you are looking for a particular job or just need a bit of help to get back to work, this is the event for you. Tenants who attended our event last year have gone on to great things - some are working with Newcastle United, some now have jobs in restaurants and care homes and some are working for Your Homes Newcastle! So whatever job you are interested in, there’s bound to be something for you.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided but to attend the event you need to book your place. You can do this by:

• Calling: 0191 278 8600; • Texting: ‘Job Fair’ and your name to 07814 753 088, or • E-mailing: [email protected]

Places are likely to fi ll up fast so don’t miss out!

This ten-week course, delivered at St James’ Park by the Newcastle United Foundation, will give you qualifi cations and help you develop a range of skills that will make it easier for you to get back to work. You’ll also complete a two-week work placement with one of Newcastle United’s partners or sponsors – a host of options are available and previous placements have been with Tyne Tees, Barnados, Scalinis and Nine Bar!

All of the tenants who attended the previous course have already gone onto training, employment, education or further volunteering opportunities so the course really works. We’ll also pay expenses to help towards any travel costs.

We are having a Taster Day at St James’ Park where you can fi nd out more and even get a tour of the famous stadium! The Taster Day is on Wednesday 20 August and the full course starts on 2 September. To book your place you can:

• Phone: 0191 278 8600; • Text: ‘United’ and your name to 07814 753 088, or • E-mail: [email protected]

Training courses are open to all Newcastle City Council tenants and leaseholders. We can offer a range of support to help you attend our courses like signers and interpreters. If you feel you need any additional support, please just ask.

Jobs & training

Our next exciting United for Employment coursestarts soon and we still have some places left.

homes and people july 2014

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