1 | The Key Autumn 2010

For all the local news about your community Issue 65 – Autumn 2010

In this issue... Shine Summer Project & Meet the Team

Grow Cook ShareThe Rockspring Community Garden was completed in May...

Craven Arms Art WalkIn September Craven Arms hosted the 3rd annual ArtWalk...

65th Anniversary CelebrationsJean and Stanford Hill from Millmead...

Tel: 01588 676200 Email: info@ss-ha.org.uk Web: www.shropshirehousing.org.uk

more on page 4

2 | The Key Autumn 2010

If you require this document in Audio, Braille, Large Print or if English is not your fi rst language then please contact us.Si vous avez besoin de ce document en audio, braille, gros caractères, ou si l’anglais n’est pas votre langue première veuillez nous contacter. French Jeśli wymagasz tego dokumentu w audio, Braille’a, duże wydruku, lub jeśli angielski jest nie pierwszy język prosimy kontakt. Polish Если вам требуется этот документ в аудио, Брайля, крупных печатных, или если английский является не ваш первый язык напишите нам. RussianOs oes angen y dogfen hon mewn ffurf wahannol, er enghraifft Braille, llythrennau mawr, tâp audio neu iaith wahanol, gadewch i ni wybod os gwelwch yn dda. WelshSe ha bisogno di questo documento in audio, Braille, grande stampa, o se inglese è la prima lingua contattaci. Italian You can contact us in a number of ways:� PHONE 01588 676200 or

REPAIRS FREEPHONE 0800 592418� EMAIL info@ss-ha.org.uk� IN WRITING by sending your letter to us at

South Shropshire Housing Association,The Gateway, The Auction Yard,Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9BW.

� IN PERSON by coming along to the reception desk at Craven Arms.

OFFICE OPENING HOURSOur normal offi ce opening hours are:

9.00am-5.00pm Monday - Friday

As part of South Shropshire Youth Forum’s REACH Project, Students from Church Stretton Secondary School have been working with tenants at Windsor Place Sheltered Housing Scheme.They have worked together to create a mosiac for the new Ashbrook site. They chose to design a four piece mosaic depicting the change of seasons in Church Stretton. After months of hard work one piece is complete with the others well underway and all should be ready for display at the new sheltered scheme in April 2011.Tenants were very impressed with the completed mosaic and are looking forward to seeing the complete set.mosaic and are looking forward to seeing the complete set.

Rear left to right - Jo Alker, Geoff Mylchreest, Bill Walker, Josh Baines, Joan Mann, Enid Foster

Front left to right - Lylla Woodger, Kerry Granville, Rosemary Nevin

braille, gros caractères, ou si l’anglais n’est pas

TIM RALPHS lives near Craven Arms and joined the Board as an independent member in May 2005. Tim is a Property Consultant specialising in land assembly, architectural and planning matters. He was previously the Principal of a fi rm of Architects based in the West Midlands.

assembly, architectural

Tim RalphsSSHA Board Member

Telephone calls to Shropshire Housing Group

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a high level of customer service across the Group, we have

identifi ed that the busiest period for our Customer Services Team is between

the hours of 9:00 am and 10:30 am.We would like to request that tenants who have non-urgent repairs or enquiries phone in after 10:30 a.m if possible.This will help ensure that we are able to provide a higher standard of service to all our tenants.

HOW

TO

CON

TACT

US

In September Craven Arms hosted the 3rd annual ArtWalk - with a watery theme and natural sculptures in the Onny Meadow. Most of the Craven Arms retailers took part, displaying art from dozens of local artists. From July onwards workshops were held for all ages, and everyone had a chance to take part in competitions, from sculpture making to duck racing.With the support of MHCT, Craven Arms Community Arts has funding for an important new art project ‘Into the Hills’. For more information contact Catherine Pybus on 01588 680484.

Shine Summer ProjectDuring the school holidays, families from the Ludlow East area took part in a programme of summer activities run by Liz Edwards, Outreach Worker for the Shine Project.The group took part in activities, including nature walks, pond dipping, cooking and sporting activities. They learnt a lot about their local area. The Shine Community Skills Project aims to provide opportunities for local people to try new activities and learn new skills. In the past year over 60 adults have taken part in workshops and courses and many have gone on to gain qualifi cations in I.T, Food Safety and Communication Skills.More courses are planned for Autumn 2010 – for more information please contact Helen on 01588 676 235 or email: helen.vaughan@ss-ha.org.uk

The Rockspring Community Garden was completed in May when local residents and volunteers shifted 14 tons of topsoil. The garden is now producing a wonderful range of vegetables. Rockspring Community Garden will be offi cially opened by the local Councillor Tracey Huffer on Thursday 7th October. All residents are welcome. For further details on The Grow Cook Share Project contact Valerie Meehan on 07896 866299 or Sarah Robinson on 07929 154596 or email Valerie.meehan@ss-ha.org.uk

Community Garden

volunteers shifted 14 tons of topsoil.

wonderful range of vegetables.

The Key Autumn 2010 | 3

MHCT is a registered charity and has funds available for community projects. If you have an idea for a project that would improve your community, Helen Vaughan, Regeneration and Community Development Offi cer may be able to help you to raise the necessary funding. Contact Helen on 01588 676 235 or Email: helen.vaughan@ss-ha.org.uk

opportunities for local people to try new activities and

60 adults have taken part in workshops and courses and many have gone on to

or email Valerie.meehan@ss-ha.org.uk

4 | The Key Autumn 2010

Jean and Stanford Hill from Millmead, Craven Arms recently Jean and Stanford Hill from Millmead, Craven Arms recently

celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a party for celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a party for

friends and family.

Jean and Stanford met when Jean was a school secretary,

they would cycle from Reading to Oxford to see each other and they would cycle from Reading to Oxford to see each other and

got married during the 2nd World War when Stanford was in

the Navy and Jean was a nurse.

They had their honeymoon in Malvern, and are planning to

return there soon.

Jean and Stanford celebrated with a cake which was

decorated with the fl owers from previous anniversary cakes.

they would cycle from Reading to Oxford to see each other and

Ludlow Foyer Celebrates 10 yearsLudlow Foyer celebrated its 10th year with a celebratory event held on Friday 10th September. Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of the Foyer Federation spoke about how the Foyer has helped so many local residents over the last 10 years and how she looks forward to hearing of continued success stories in the future. Guests were shown around the old Marstons Mill building, where the Foyer is situated, and were treated to displays of talent that included magic skills and nail art by current residents.

Here is a photo of Mr Evan’s fl oral display. If you would like to show off your garden in The Key, then email your photos to TheKey@ss-ha.org.uk

Group News 2010 | 5

Group News

Welcome to

the Autumn edition of

group news!

This section of your newsletter

is completely dedicated to

articles that are common to

both SSHA and MMHA.

Recently we asked all tenants to attend a communications feedback workshop to fi nd out what tenants would like to see in their newsletters.We had a big response to our request for volunteers and would like to thank all those that replied. We held two workshops in August, one in Wem and one in Craven Arms. Both provided us with a lot of useful feedback on what tenants want from their newsletter.Overall everyone liked the new format of the newsletter and its contents. Some of the suggestions/feedback that came from the workshops included:

An even balance of information and local interest stories.

Competitions that can be done from the armchair for adults.

A letters/community events page. Simple competitions that enable the kids to get involved.

More prominent information on the cover, describing what’s inside the newsletter.

More stories/features aimed at younger members of the family.

One of the suggestions we will be implementing in this issue is the ‘letters/community events page’.

Emma Davies

June JonesSamantha

Mottram

Jasmine Ho

Linda StavesVicki Mullins

Alison Parsons

Laura Morris Team Leader

Meet the Customer Services Team & Repairs SchedulersCustomer Services TeamShropshire Housing Group’s new customer services team is based in Wem, and will answer all calls into both Meres and Mosses and South Shropshire Housing Associations. This will give a consistent service delivery across the whole group. They have a target to answer 80% of all calls without having to pass the caller onto someone else.

Two new members will be joining shortly.

Repairs SchedulersFrom October Shropshire Housing Group will have a new team of repairs schedulers. They are a dedicated team who are trained solely to take your repair request. The schedulers will take details of your repair and let you know how long it is likely to take.

Alan RehbockTeam Leader

6 | Group News 2010

Barbara Jordan received a £20 shopping voucher for having her letter published. We want to hear from tenants who have something to say that other tenants will be interested in. It could be a burning issue that affects your community or an event you want to publicise. We will have a winning letter in each edition and the writer will win £20 in vouchers.

So put pen to paper and send your letters to Vicki Coleman, Shropshire Housing Group, The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms SY7 9BW.

Your Letters“I thought I’d drop a line to say how much I enjoyed the estate walkabout back in May. On our travels we came across a lot of scrap. This was promptly removed. I really enjoyed the two hour walk. It’s a shame more people couldn’t attend. Hopefully I will be able to attend the next one.”

Yours Sincerely Barbara Jordan,Market Drayton

Shropshire Housing Group (SHG) is taking steps to build on and enhance our accountability to our tenants. The tenants’ groups, Tenants Association of South Shropshire (TASS), and Towns and Rural Communities Association (TARCA) now meet members of Shropshire Housing Group’s executive team on a monthly basis. Paul Sutton, Executive Director, Assets and Development, and Ann Sutcliffe, Executive Director, Neighbourhoods meet TASS and TARCA at a joint meeting once a month, either on their own or together. These meetings give tenants the chance to give their views directly to management, and give directors the chance to listen to what tenants have to say.Paul and Ann present the group with a regular report on SHG’s performance on topics such as repair

response times, rent arrears and adaptations. They also report on repairs satisfaction and SHG’s record on complaints. If you would like to become involved, please contact Sarah Platt, resident involvement manager on 01588 676200 or email sarah.platt@shropshirehousing.org.uk You can also text your name, address and telephone number to our Resident Involvement textline and someone will be in touch.

Text us on 07527 208 607

Resident Involvement Increasing

Sponsored by Meres and Mosses Housi

ng As

socia

tion

TownsAndRuralCommunitiesAssociation

Group News 2010 | 7

SHG now uses a specialist debt recovery company called DMS to collect its former tenant arrears.

If a tenant (debtor) leaves their property with money owing on their rent or service charge account, we will pass their details to DMS.DMS will make contact with the debtor in order to make a payment agreement. If the debtor fails to make or stick to this agreement, they will then be taken to court. All charges and court costs will be added to the debt.If a case goes to court, the debtor’s credit rating will be affected for at least 6 years. If payment still isn’t made, then bailiff action can be taken.Any debt owed to a social landlord will affect the debtor’s application for future housing. If you are having problems paying your rent please contact your tenancy management offi cer.

Collecting Former Tenant Arrears

A big thank you to all of you who spent time completing the previous STATUS survey. We have made some signifi cant changes in those areas our residents said were important:• repairs• the quality of your home• dealing with anti-social behaviour

Your views are really important to Shropshire Housing Group; they have a vital role in shaping the services we provide. We would like to continue to improve our services, but we can only do this with your help.

So Shropshire Housing Group have asked the National Housing Federation’s Feedback Services Limited, an independent market research company, to carry out some further satisfaction research on our behalf. Feedback Services Ltd will be carrying out a full postal survey of all MMHA and SSHA tenants. This research will ask how you feel about all aspects of the service we provide.If you would like to discuss the survey with a member of Shropshire Housing Group staff then please call customer services.

We have made some signifi cant changes in those areas our residents said were important:

Your views are really important to Shropshire Housing Group; they have a vital role in shaping the services we provide. We would like to continue to improve our services, but we can only do this with your help.

So Shropshire Housing Group have asked the National

How satisfi ed are you?

8 | Group News 2010

The Key Summer 2010 | 9

If you have diffi culty with mobility, we are able to assist by carrying out minor adaptations to your home to make your life easier. We can install grab and stair rails, provide lever taps, install half steps and widen doorways. For those with hearing diffi culties, we can fi t doorbells and smoke alarms with fl ashing lights as well as install remote push button door entry systems. For more information please contact Customer Services.

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In our reply, SSHA explained that the installers had already removed the existing door. There was no alternative available at the time so they had to re-fi t the rear door to keep the property secure. SSHA reported the issue to the door manufacturer and requested that the tenant be contacted in order for the door be re-measured. The request was not taken forward and SSHA failed to chase the door manufacturers and keep the tenant informed. SSHA have now apologised and a new door has been installed.

SSHA installed front and rear doors to a property. Unfortunately the rear door was not fi nished completely because it had been incorrectly measured. The installers informed the tenant that a representative from the door manufacturer would return to re-measure the door. The representative never returned to the property and the tenant then contacted SSHA a further two times to report that no one had been out.

Who should come? Anyone between 16 and 25 who wants to fi nd work locally

What will be on offer? Visit stands from a range of local businesses representing the following sectors: Hospitality, Creative Industries, Environmental Technologies, Tourism, Construction & Traditional Building and Rural

Land Management. Find out more about local skills needs and work opportunities, try out a practical activity or watch a demonstration.Representatives from Ludlow College, County Training, Shropshire

Youth will be on hand to give information on local training and employment opportunities.For more info contact Helen Vaughan on email: Helen.vaughan@ss-ha.org.uk tel:01588 676200

Opportunities on your doorstep

Homegrown Project UpdateSkills Event: Opportunities on Your Doorstep: Wednesday 20th October 2010Craven Arms Community Centre: 9.30 am to 3.00 pm.

10 | The Key Autumn 2010

ShrewsburyNon Parished Area

Eaton-Under-

Heywood

ChurchStretton

Wentnor/Myndtow

All Stretton

Leebotwood

Hope Bowdler

Acton Scott

Rushbury

Munslow

Diddlebury

WistanstowLydbury North/Edgton

Colebatch/Mainstone

Newcastleon

Clun

Clun

Bucknell

Clungunford

Hopton Castle/Bedstone

Clunbury

Culmington

Onibury

BromfieldBitterley

Ludlow

Ludford

Richard’s Castle (Shropshire)/Ashford Bowdler

Ashford Carbonel

Caynham

Wheathill

Stanton Lacy

CravenArms

HoptonWafers

Nash/HopeBagot

Greete/Whitton

Coreley

Neen Sollars/Milson

Cleobury Mortimer

Hopesay/Sibdon

Carwood

Abdon/HeathClee St. Margaret

Stoke St. Milborough/Hopton Cangeford

Ratlinghope

More

LydhamBishop’s Castle

Norbury

Worthen with Shelve

Minsterley

Chirbury with Brompton

BorastonBurford

Harriet Wittle (TMO)

Jennifer Edwards (C

HO)

Katherine Harrison (TMO) Ludlow Patc

h 1

Sue Perry (CHO)Ludlow Patch 1

Mark Timerick (TMO)Ludlow Patch 2

Adam Burge (CHO)

Ludlow Patch 2

Ash CloseClee GardensClee ViewCorve StreetDodmore LaneDownton ViewDun Cow RoadFerney AvenueHousman CloseHousman CrescentHenley RoadHamlet CloseHamlet RoadHucklemarsh RoadKershaw CloseLacy RoadPark ViewQuebb CottagesRiddings Road

Riddings ParkRocks Green CrescentSandpits RoadSycamore CloseWeyman RoadWheeler CloseWheeler RoadWhitbread RoadWhitefriars

* This patch also covers our tenants in Herefordshire

Ludlow Patch 2* Chandlers CloseChurchill CloseDevey HouseGeorgian HouseGravel HillGravel Hill CourtThe GreyhoundLouisa PowellsAlmshousesLower FeeLower GaldefordMarstons TerraceMilton RoadMortimer PlaceOld StreetPacker CourtPortcullis LanePoyner CloseRiddings Meadow

Rock TerraceSandpits AvenueSandpits CloseSandford RoadSidney RoadSt Johns RoadSt KellamsSteventon CrescentSteventon New RoadSpringfi eld CloseSt Stephens CloseTeme AvenueTemesideUpper FeeUpper GaldefordWalkmillWeeping Cross Lane

Ludlow Patch 1

The map below shows your new Community Housing Offi cer (CHO) and Tenancy Management Offi cer (TMO). CHOs are based in the community and TMOs are based in our offi ces in Craven Arms.

The Key Autumn 2010 | 11

Funding supportTASS is grateful to the following contractors for offering funding of £100 each, to support our work:

Harpers & Sons LtdRigby Thorpe

The Taylor Monthly DrawTASS would like your views on running a monthly draw. Any profi t from the draw would go to local groups or community activities. Open to all SSHA tenants, there will be 3 monthly prizes for a cash entry fee. TASS is looking into getting a licence for this, and would like your views on it. Please contact TASS on the ways shown below.

TASS future meeting datesTASS meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Everyone is welcome.Oct 14th The Gateway, Craven Arms Nov 11th and Dec 9th ¥venues to be confi rmed – please call TASS for details¦.

New TASS Offi ce§ Tenants’ Resource CentreTASS members are now moving into their new offi ce in the Tenants’ Resource Centre at The Gateway, Craven Arms. The Resource Centre is a great new space to help TASS in their work, and it is also open to all SSHA tenants to come and use the facilities and the IT e¨uipment. A launch day is being planned for the autumn and more details about this will be published soon. The TASS offi ce is open from Monday – Thursday 10am – 1pm.

Julie Fowler, Sheltered Housing Offi cer at Whitefriars, in Ludlow organised a holiday for 25 local people, including her own tenants, to Llandudno. They stayed for a week at the Marlborough Hotel and went on trips to Conwy, Bettws Y Coed and Canaervon.

to Llandudno. They stayed for a week

and Canaervon.

to Llandudno. They stayed for a week at the Marlborough Hotel and went on trips to Conwy, Bettws Y Coed and Canaervon.and Canaervon.

CONTACT TASS TASS Offi ce, The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms, SY7 9BWTel: 01588 676285 email: tass@ss-ha.org.uk search TASS on facebook.

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

Shropshire Housing Group consists of the following organisations

�

5677

2:21

0910

Name

Address

Postcode

Telephone number

Please send all entries to the competitions to:Vicki Coleman, Communications Offi cer,The Gateway, The Auction Yard, Craven Arms,Shropshire SY7 9BW, by Friday 29th October.

CHILDRENS COMPETITION

(UNDER 15s only) How many pumpkins can you fi nd hidden throughout The Key?

....................................................................

Write your answer above for a chance to win a £30 toy or electrical voucher.

Child’s name: ...................................................................

Competition WinnersThe winner of last times spot the ball competition was Ms C McGarity of Ludlow who won a £30 shopping voucher.

The winner of the kids fi nd the football mascots competition was Rebecca from Cleobury Mortimer who won a £30 voucher.

Garden Competition Results The winner of the fl ower garden category was Mr Bufton from Clun. The winners of the communal garden category were the residents of Ludlow Foyer.

Garden Competition

Adults CompetitionWin a digital camera!!

1 2 3 4 5

6

7 8

9 10

11 12 13

14 15

16

17

ACROSS 2 Daily publication6 Tartan skirt7 Clinging plant9 Fallen down building

11 Glossy publication15 Three legged stand16 Jamaican spirit17 Unhappiness

DOWN 1 Publication2 Mesh3 Tired4 Chess piece

5 Black bird8 Small earthquake10 Ordinary12 Photo book

13 Fools14 Centre of apple 15 Group of sportsmen