Get Connected Summer 2017
Welcome to the Summer version of our tenant magazine. It features what our Residents Federation have been up to, a Great Get Together, 1940s Summer Fete, advice on Universal Credit changes, safety advice (including asbestos, fire and domestic abuse) and statistics of all the improvements we have mad to our tenants homes.
Welcome to the Summer version of our tenant magazine. It features what our Residents Federation have been up to, a Great Get Together, 1940s Summer Fete, advice on Universal Credit changes, safety advice (including asbestos, fire and domestic abuse) and statistics of all the improvements we have mad to our tenants homes.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
THE MAGAZINE FORRESIDENTS<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />
Residents<br />
rock<br />
Connect Residents Federation<br />
Are you ready for<br />
Universal Credit?<br />
Improvement programme<br />
1
In this issue:<br />
3<br />
4<br />
6<br />
8<br />
10<br />
12<br />
13<br />
High Five<br />
Latestnewsand events<br />
Our residents<br />
rock<br />
All the latestfrom<br />
the CRF<br />
Safety update<br />
Asbestosadvice<br />
and staying safein<br />
your home<br />
635 homes<br />
being improved<br />
This year’simprovement<br />
programme<br />
Are you ready<br />
for Universal<br />
Credit?<br />
Benefit changes advice<br />
and support<br />
Rents update<br />
Easy ways to pay<br />
your rent<br />
Throwback<br />
Thursday<br />
1940s event at our<br />
Older People’sScheme<br />
Welcome<br />
Happy summer time! We<br />
hope you’vebeen enjoying<br />
the sunshineand blueskies.<br />
With this newsletter we have<br />
sent youaseparatesummary<br />
of our Tenant Report. It’sa<br />
chancetosee howwell we’re<br />
doing and howthe Connect<br />
Residents Federation (CRF)<br />
has ratedour performance.<br />
Speaking of the CRF, on<br />
pages 4-5 of this issue we<br />
take alook at what theygot<br />
up to at their recent lively<br />
AGMand share howyou can<br />
get involvedtoo.<br />
Lots of other events have<br />
been taking placeacrossour<br />
communities. Hawthorn Mill,<br />
our Older People’sScheme<br />
in Leeds, hosteda1940s<br />
summer fete and at Thrive<br />
in Dewsbury we held aGreat<br />
<strong>Get</strong> Together (pages 13-15).<br />
In this issue, we have<br />
included our annual update<br />
on howweare investing in<br />
good quality homes. You<br />
canfind out moreabout<br />
what we aredoing and the<br />
investments we aremaking<br />
on pages 8-9.<br />
The government’sUniversal<br />
Credit is rolling-out and is<br />
already affecting many of<br />
our tenants. We’vetried to<br />
cut-through the complexities<br />
and haveput together some<br />
simpleguidanceonwhat is<br />
happening and when (pages<br />
10-11). Don’t forget our<br />
MoneyMattersserviceis<br />
here to help you.<br />
We hope youenjoythis<br />
issue of <strong>Get</strong> <strong>Connected</strong> –<br />
happy reading!<br />
Share your<br />
thoughts<br />
<strong>Get</strong> in touchby<br />
phone, email,<br />
Facebook or Twitter<br />
0300 5000 600<br />
communications@<br />
connecthousing.org.uk<br />
/ConnectHousing<br />
@ConnectHousing<br />
14<br />
16<br />
Our Great <strong>Get</strong><br />
Together<br />
Community spirit<br />
at Thrive<br />
Back cover<br />
All the details youneed<br />
to get in touch<br />
Thank you<br />
Tenants, volunteersand community partnershaveall been<br />
involvedinthis issue of the magazine and we’d liketosay abig<br />
thank youtothe Connect Residents Federation (CRF) especially<br />
Nicola, Malcolm and Eunicefor being our front coverstars;<br />
Gordon and Tom(Simon On The Streets); all of the volunteers,<br />
staff and participants of Hawthorn Mill’s 1940s fete –especially<br />
Ann, Eddie and Kath; all participants of our Great <strong>Get</strong> Together<br />
including Paula,Hilda, Zoya and PC SallyBaines.<br />
2
High Five<br />
News youcan use<br />
August Bank Holiday<br />
We will be closed on Monday 28th August.You canstill call<br />
0300 5000 600 and speak to our out-of-hoursservicetoreport<br />
an emergency repair or anti-social behaviour.<br />
How well is<br />
Connect doing?<br />
Enclosed is our Tenant Report <strong>2017</strong><br />
summary.Findout howyour tenant<br />
representatives ratedour performance.<br />
Youcan download the full report at<br />
www.connecthousing.org.uk/TR17 or call<br />
0300 5000 600 to requestaprinted copy.<br />
Annual event<br />
runs all year!<br />
Lastyear, we launched Thrive, our new<br />
community spaceinDewsbury.Sincethen<br />
therehas been apacked programme of events,<br />
so rather than holding one big annual event<br />
likewehavepreviously, we will continue to<br />
investinactivities that run all year round. For<br />
the latestcourses, workshops and events visit<br />
www.connecthousing.org.uk/whatsonthrive<br />
Our AGMsession forshareholderswillbe<br />
happening as usual.<br />
When: Wednesday 13th September, 6pm to 7pm<br />
Where: ThriveatConnect, 21 Bond Street,<br />
Dewsbury, WF13 1AX<br />
RSVP: If youare ashareholder please<br />
call 03005000 600 or email<br />
sarah.midgley@connecthousing.org.uk<br />
Hidden<br />
Memories<br />
Café<br />
Every month the kettle’sonatHawthorn<br />
Mill in Leeds. The café offerssupport to<br />
peoplewho suffer with any form of<br />
memory loss.Carersand relatives<br />
arealso welcome. The next café is on<br />
Thursday 7th September, 1pm to 3pm<br />
–toRSVP call 0113 2311 561 or email<br />
louise.clark@connecthousing.org.uk.<br />
Catch-up<br />
with Connect<br />
Our Annual Reviewwillbepublished<br />
in September.Findout howyour rent<br />
is being investedback intoaffordable<br />
homesand your localcommunity.<br />
Sign-up to receiveyour copy online<br />
www.connecthousing.org.uk/AR17<br />
3
CRF<br />
Our residents<br />
rock<br />
The CRF held their Annual General Meeting on 11th July <strong>2017</strong>. It was afull<br />
house and the energy was high, with guests including tenants, staff and a<br />
special speaker. Here is ataste of what happened at the meeting...<br />
Awarm welcome<br />
EuniceClarkson, Chair of<br />
the Committee, welcomed<br />
membersnew and old and<br />
shared some examples of the<br />
good work that the CRF has<br />
been doing this year.Eunice<br />
reminded everyone how<br />
important the CRF’sroleas<br />
Connect’sCriticalFriend is -<br />
scrutinising performanceand<br />
holding Connect to account.<br />
Theyare also keen to give<br />
praise when theysee things<br />
working well. Eunicesaid<br />
that the next twoyearswill<br />
be pivotal, especiallywith<br />
changes such as Brexit. The<br />
CRF will remain committed<br />
to representing all tenants<br />
and helping Connect improve<br />
services forresidents.<br />
Down to business<br />
Maureen Kershaw,<br />
Secretary of the<br />
Committee, ranthrough<br />
the financial accounts<br />
and Lisa Longbottom,<br />
our Tenant Involvement<br />
Officer, announced the new<br />
and re-elected officers.<br />
Stuart Rippin, one of our<br />
Community Housing Officers,<br />
explained howhis newteam<br />
will work with residents.<br />
Rock and<br />
(swiss) roll<br />
Delicious cakesfuelled<br />
everyone’screativity –<br />
designing notebooks<br />
and grooving to Elvis<br />
numbers, sung by Trevor<br />
the Music Man.<br />
4
Simon On The<br />
Streets speak<br />
The guestspeaker was<br />
Gordon Laing from Simon On<br />
The Streets. He explained<br />
howthe charity offers<br />
emotional and practical<br />
support on an outreach basis<br />
to roughsleepers or those<br />
atrisk of homelessness.<br />
Theyalsooffer support<br />
around drugs and alcohol<br />
dependency and canhelp<br />
with mental health problems.<br />
If you’d liketoattend ameeting or find<br />
out moreabout joining the CRF contact:<br />
Lisa Longbottom, Tenant InvolvementOfficer<br />
T: 0300 5000 600<br />
E: lisa.longbottom@connecthousing.org.uk<br />
Theyfind it’susuallythe<br />
peoplewho havefallen<br />
through the cracks of other<br />
mainstream services that<br />
theysupport.<br />
The CRF presented acheque<br />
for£100 to Simon On The<br />
Streets, acombination of<br />
moneyraised from the raffle<br />
and adonation from CRF as a<br />
thank you.<br />
Youcan find out moreabout<br />
the charity at:<br />
www.simononthestreets.co.uk<br />
Join the CRF<br />
The CRF is an independent<br />
organisation run by tenants<br />
fortenants. Theyscrutinise<br />
Connect, help to shape and<br />
improve services and they<br />
want you!<br />
•You don’t haveto<br />
attend every meeting<br />
to be amember<br />
•General meetings are<br />
bi-monthlyfor twohours<br />
•Transport to and from<br />
meetings is provided<br />
by Connect<br />
•The meetings usually<br />
featureaguest speaker,<br />
refreshments, afun<br />
activity and acharity raffle<br />
•It’sagreat way to meet<br />
other tenants in arelaxed<br />
social atmosphere<br />
Diary dates<br />
<strong>2017</strong><br />
Tuesday 12th September<br />
1pm-3pm<br />
Tuesday 21stNovember<br />
1pm-3pm<br />
Another smart meeting<br />
The CRF also held ageneral<br />
meeting on Tuesday13th<br />
June in Huddersfield.<br />
Our Energy Efficiency Officer<br />
spokeabout smart meters<br />
and howtheycan help control<br />
energy costs(see page 9).<br />
The charity raffleatthis<br />
meeting (the CRF is a<br />
charitablebunch!) was in<br />
aid of one of the Jo Cox<br />
Foundation’scharities, The<br />
RoyalVoluntary Serviceand<br />
the group raised £79.10. The<br />
servicecreates community<br />
spaces in Batley and Spen,<br />
wherepeoplework together<br />
to combat loneliness,<br />
something the CRF and<br />
Connect feel stronglyabout.<br />
5
SAFETY<br />
All about asbestos<br />
Information and advice about asbestos, what it is, where it can be found and<br />
what to do if you think you may have asbestos in your home.<br />
Forhomes built before 2000<br />
What is asbestos?<br />
Asbestosisanaturally<br />
occurring material that has<br />
avariety of uses throughout<br />
the construction industry.<br />
It is not unusual to find<br />
asbestosinhomes as it was<br />
used extensivelyuntil 1999<br />
when it was banned due to<br />
the associated health risks.<br />
What are the<br />
health risks?<br />
Asbestosmaterials in good<br />
condition do not cause<br />
health problems. However,<br />
when theybecome damaged<br />
theymay release fibres<br />
intothe air. If breathed in,<br />
the fibres could lead to<br />
asbestosrelated diseases<br />
such as mesothelioma and<br />
asbestosis.<br />
Where might<br />
asbestos be inside<br />
my home?<br />
Asbestosmay havebeen<br />
used in the following places:<br />
• Decorativecoatings to<br />
ceilings (artex)<br />
• Floor tiles<br />
• Bath panels<br />
• Parts of boilers<br />
• Roof spaceinsulation and<br />
tank supports<br />
• Windowand door frames<br />
What is Connect<br />
doing?<br />
We haveaprocedure<br />
formanaging asbestos<br />
which includes appointing<br />
independent consultants to<br />
survey our properties for<br />
asbestos.<br />
What is the<br />
survey for?<br />
The survey helps us to:<br />
• identify if thereisany<br />
asbestosinyour home<br />
• see if the asbestos<br />
presents any risk<br />
• take appropriateaction<br />
if required<br />
When will asurvey<br />
be carried out?<br />
As alandlord, we havealegal<br />
obligation to survey your<br />
home beforewecarry out<br />
any repair or improvement<br />
works. Alternatively, youmay<br />
havehad asurvey in thepast<br />
and we need to do another to<br />
updateour records.<br />
Can Icarry out<br />
works to my<br />
home?<br />
As outlined in your tenancy<br />
agreement, youmustcontact<br />
us beforeyou carry out<br />
any works to your home.<br />
If available, acopy of the<br />
survey will be provided. If<br />
we don’t haveasurvey for<br />
your home, we will request<br />
one if necessary.You should<br />
not startany works until you<br />
havereceived permission<br />
from us.<br />
If youthink youhave<br />
asbestosinyour home,<br />
do not do anything that<br />
couldrelease fibres into<br />
the air such as inserting<br />
drawing pins, screws, nails<br />
or adhesivetape intothe<br />
affected areas.<br />
The disposal of asbestosisa<br />
matter forspecialists.<br />
If youhaveany concerns about asbestos<br />
or need further adviceplease contact:<br />
Jenni Smith, Project Manager<br />
(Asset Investment)<br />
T: 0300 5000 600<br />
E: jenni.smith@connecthousing.org.uk<br />
6
Fire<br />
safety<br />
Following the shocking events<br />
at Grenfell TowerinLondon, we<br />
would liketoreassureyou our<br />
properties conform with rigorous<br />
firesafety standardsand that<br />
we take the safety of all our<br />
residents very seriously.<br />
We carry out firerisk assessments<br />
and work with West YorkshireFireand<br />
Rescue Servicetocomplywith all safety<br />
requirements. We undertakeregular<br />
firesafety inspections of all communal<br />
areas, ensuring all shared firedetection<br />
and emergency systems areserviced<br />
and testedand any obstructions in the<br />
areas removed.<br />
Youcan find moreinformation at<br />
www.connecthousing.org.uk/firesafety.<br />
If youdonot haveaccess to the internet<br />
or would prefer aprinted copy of the<br />
information, please contact us on 0300<br />
5000 600.Ifyou haveany concerns about<br />
your home and firesafety, please call us<br />
or email estates@connecthousing.org.uk.<br />
Domestic abuse<br />
support<br />
Domestic abuse is controlling, coercive<br />
or threatening behaviour, violence<br />
or abuse from intimate partnersor<br />
familymembersregardlessofgender<br />
or sexuality. Abuse cancomeinmany<br />
forms andisn’talways physical–itcan<br />
be financial or honour based too. Alot of<br />
peopledonot realise that these factors<br />
canbeareason to leave.<br />
We canoffer support to anyone who is<br />
experiencing domestic abuse. We havea<br />
refuge forwomeninKirklees andsupport<br />
workerswho canhelpboth females and<br />
malesintheir home.<br />
Help is available<br />
If youorsomeone youknowisbeing<br />
abused andwouldlikesomehelp,you can<br />
contact us confidentially.<br />
T: 01924 465238 (9am–5pm weekdays)<br />
E: nkwr@connecthousing.org.uk<br />
24-hour help<br />
Thereisalsoa24-hour NationalDomestic<br />
Violencehelpline and website if youneed<br />
adviceout of hours.<br />
0808 2000 247<br />
www.nationaldomesticviolence<br />
helpline.org.uk<br />
!<br />
If youare in immediatedanger<br />
please call 999.<br />
7
HOMES<br />
635<br />
Connect is committed<br />
to investing in good<br />
quality homes.<br />
Each year we carry<br />
out aprogramme of<br />
planned maintenance.<br />
This is asignificant<br />
proportion of our<br />
expenditureand<br />
this year the work<br />
includes the following<br />
improvements…<br />
150<br />
New Boilers<br />
£330,000 investment<br />
80<br />
New Bathrooms<br />
£250,000 investment<br />
70 25<br />
New Doors<br />
Properties with<br />
new windows<br />
£50,000 investment £100,000 investment<br />
80 30 200<br />
New Kitchens<br />
New Roofs<br />
£280,000 investment £400,000 investment<br />
Homes Externally<br />
Decorated<br />
START<br />
We will contact youtwo<br />
months beforework<br />
starts to explain what<br />
will happen and when.<br />
CHOOSE<br />
We will explain what choices<br />
areavailableand howtomake<br />
your selection. You’ll haveat<br />
leasttwo weeks to choose.<br />
8
The selection<br />
We choose replacement items based<br />
on quality, cost and energy efficiency.<br />
KITCHENS<br />
Oakwood Kitchens provide our high quality<br />
kitchens, which arebuilt using materials<br />
sourcedfromsustainableforests. Youwill<br />
be abletochoose from awide rangeofunits,<br />
worktops and handles.<br />
BATHROOMS<br />
Youwill be abletochoose from an attractive<br />
range of tiles and flooring. We also offer some<br />
choiceoffixtures and fittings.<br />
BOILERS<br />
We arecurrentlyinstalling Ideal Logic combi<br />
boilers, which aresmaller in size, aesthetically<br />
attractiveand giveahigh output of heating and<br />
hot water.Theyare also very efficient, meaning<br />
your heating bills will be lower.<br />
DOORS<br />
These aresupplied by Manse Masterdor and<br />
whereappropriatethere will be acolour choice.<br />
WINDOWS<br />
Wherepossibleweinstall whiteuPVCwindows,<br />
chosen fortheir qualityand style. Theycontain<br />
80% recycled content, which reduces their<br />
impact on the environment.<br />
<strong>Get</strong> in touch ››<br />
To find out moreabout the<br />
improvement programme<br />
please contact:<br />
Chris Wordsworth<br />
Building Surveyor<br />
T: 0300 5000 600<br />
E: chris.wordsworth@<br />
connecthousing.org.uk<br />
Asmarter way<br />
Did youknowyour energy supplier is<br />
responsiblefor fitting youasmart meter<br />
beforethe end of 2020?<br />
Smart metersare the next generation of<br />
gas and electricity metersand offer arange<br />
of intelligent functions. The big difference<br />
is readings aresent automaticallytothe<br />
energy supplier using aGPS signal. The data<br />
is encrypted forsecurity and no personal<br />
information is included. Thereisalso an<br />
in-home display (usuallyasmall portable<br />
device) giving youdetails about the energy<br />
youare using.<br />
What are the benefits?<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Real-time information –see exactlywhat<br />
youuse and when, manage your energy<br />
use and savemoney<br />
No manual readings –noneed to wait in<br />
foryour supplier to visit your home<br />
No estimated billing –nounexpected<br />
high bills, onlypay forthe energy you<br />
actuallyuse, helping youbudgetbetter<br />
No cost to upgrade –the cost of your<br />
meter and its maintenanceisbuilt in to<br />
your energy bills<br />
Easier switching –smootherand faster<br />
to switch suppliersand deals<br />
Flexibility –pre-payment customers<br />
givenalternativeand automatic top-up<br />
options so youwon’t run out of credit<br />
Youcan find out all about smart metersand<br />
howtoget one at www.smartenergygb.org<br />
If youare unabletoaccess the information<br />
online please call us on 0300 5000 600 and<br />
we will send youaninformation leaflet.<br />
MEET ACTION FEEDBACK<br />
We will makeanappointment<br />
with youtorun through the<br />
scheduleand confirm your<br />
choices.<br />
We will giveyou details of the<br />
contractor and oncework starts<br />
on site, regular inspections will<br />
be carried out by our team.<br />
We want to ensurethe work<br />
is carried out to an excellent<br />
standardand on completion we<br />
will ask youtofillinasurvey.<br />
9
MONEY<br />
MATTERS<br />
MONEY<br />
MATTERS<br />
Are you ready for<br />
Universal Credit?<br />
What is Universal<br />
Credit?<br />
Universal Credit is part of<br />
the government’s welfare<br />
reform policy. It is asingle<br />
monthly payment for people<br />
who are not working or are<br />
on alow income. If you are<br />
aged between 18 and State<br />
Pension age and claim certain<br />
benefits, you will be affected.<br />
Universal Credit will replace the following<br />
benefits, which are now known as ‘legacy<br />
benefits’.<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
HousingBenefit<br />
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance<br />
Income-related Employment and<br />
Support Allowance<br />
Income Support<br />
Child Tax Credit<br />
Working Tax Credit<br />
When will it<br />
happen?<br />
If youare already on the LiveService<br />
Youwill be movedontothe Full (Digital)<br />
Servicewhen it rolls-out in your area.<br />
If youare making anew claim and<br />
havenever been on Universal Credit<br />
Your claim will be processed on<br />
the Full (Digital) Serviceifithas<br />
rolled-out in your area.<br />
If youare in receipt of any legacy<br />
benefits and do not haveachange<br />
of circumstance<br />
Youwill not be affected until at least<br />
2019 when migration takesplace.<br />
If youare in receipt of any legacy<br />
benefits and haveachange of<br />
circumstanceafter roll-out in your area<br />
Youmay be requestedtoapplyfor<br />
Universal Credit.<br />
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)<br />
has introduced Universal Credit in two stages.<br />
The Live Service applies to single people out<br />
of work. This is now being replaced by the Full<br />
(Digital) Service which is being rolled-out at<br />
different times across local areas.<br />
Live Service<br />
Full (Digital) Service<br />
June <strong>2017</strong> – Calderdale roll-out<br />
November <strong>2017</strong> – Kirklees roll-out<br />
June 2018 – Leeds roll-out<br />
August2018 – Wakefield roll-out<br />
September2018 –all Live Serviceareas<br />
movedtoFull (Digital)Service<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> 2019 –DWP migrateall legacy<br />
benefit claimants to Full (Digital) Service<br />
10
What will this mean for you?<br />
Key change<br />
The Full (Digital) Serviceisdigital<br />
by default.<br />
Youwill be expected to manage<br />
your claim via an online portal.<br />
What do you<br />
need to do?<br />
Makesureyou haveaccess to the<br />
internet, an email addressand a<br />
bank account.<br />
Youwill need these to set up an<br />
online account.<br />
Your Housing Benefit will no<br />
longer automaticallybepaid<br />
to Connect.<br />
Instead youwill receivethe<br />
housing cost element in your<br />
Universal Credit payment.<br />
Payyour rent directlytoConnect –<br />
on time and in full.<br />
Youwill need abankaccount and<br />
should consider the bestway to<br />
pay (see page 12). If youdonot<br />
pay your full rent, youmay risk<br />
losing your home.<br />
When youmakeanew claim for<br />
Universal Credit youwill haveto<br />
wait aminimum of six weeksto<br />
receiveyour first payment.<br />
After the first payment, youwill<br />
then be paid each calendar month.<br />
If youare struggling to wait for<br />
the first payment to arriveyou<br />
canrequestanadvance payment<br />
If youare used to working out<br />
your budget weeklyorfortnightlyyou<br />
will need to think about howyou can<br />
manage your moneymonth to month.<br />
Our Money Matters Team is here tohelp<br />
We can help you:<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Understand howUniversal Credit<br />
will affect you<br />
Set up an email addressand getonline<br />
Setupabankaccount and a<br />
direct debit or standing order to<br />
pay your rent<br />
Look at your budget, access debt<br />
advice, loweryour energy bills and<br />
pay off fuel debts<br />
Developyour CV and find work<br />
We canhelp your move to Universal Credit<br />
go smoothlyand evenifyou’renot likely<br />
to be affected straight away, we canhelp<br />
makesureyou areready.<br />
<strong>Get</strong> in touch ›››<br />
If youare concerned about howthe benefit<br />
capwillaffect youplease contact:<br />
MichelleCox,<br />
MoneyMattersTeam<br />
T: 0300 5000 600<br />
E: moneymatters@<br />
connecthousing.org.uk<br />
11
RENTS<br />
Ways to pay<br />
Thereare many ways to pay your<br />
rent –havealook at which is the<br />
mostconvenient foryou.<br />
BY DIRECTDEBIT OR<br />
STANDING ORDER<br />
Asimpleand quick way to pay<br />
your rent –justcall us and we<br />
canhelpyou set this up.<br />
BY PHONE<br />
We canacceptpayment by<br />
most debit cards–justcall us<br />
during opening times.<br />
PAY24/7 WITH APAYMENT<br />
SWIPE CARD<br />
If youhaveapayment swipe<br />
card youwillbeabletopay<br />
your rent anytime online, by<br />
smartphone app, or by phone.<br />
To requestapayment swipe<br />
card just call us and we will<br />
send one to you.<br />
TALK TO US<br />
If youowe rent youput your<br />
home at risk. The earlier you<br />
get in touchtolet us know<br />
thereisaproblem, the easier<br />
it will be to work together to<br />
resolve it.Ifyou arehaving<br />
difficulty paying your rent,<br />
please call us so we canhelp.<br />
Call us on<br />
0300 5000 600<br />
See back page forour opening times<br />
Good to know<br />
Did youknowthe rent youpay<br />
is investedbackintoyour local<br />
community?<br />
Connect is anot-for-profit social<br />
housing landlord. This means that,<br />
unlikemany privatelandlords,<br />
any profit we makegoes back into<br />
improving homes, building new<br />
affordablehousing and providing<br />
much-needed support services.<br />
This includes things likeour mental<br />
health support workers, domestic<br />
violenceservice, women’srefuge,<br />
and MoneyMatters service.<br />
Rent statements<br />
At the moment, we manuallyprint<br />
and postout rent statements to<br />
tenants four times ayear.<br />
Newtechnology and<br />
processes mean we<br />
canimprove this and<br />
get better valuefor<br />
money. We aretalking<br />
to the CRF about our<br />
ideas and will update<br />
youinthe next issue<br />
of <strong>Get</strong> <strong>Connected</strong>.<br />
Do it online ›››<br />
Don’t forget, youcan createan<br />
online account to viewyour rent<br />
balanceand track repairs. Just<br />
visit www.connecthousing.org.uk/<br />
myaccount to set it up.<br />
12
OLDER<br />
PEOPLE<br />
Throwback<br />
Thursday<br />
On Thursday 29th June, our Older People’s Scheme, Hawthorn Mill in<br />
Leeds, went back to the 1940s and hosted athemed summer fete.<br />
The atmospherewas buzzing<br />
and Hawthorn Mill looked<br />
the part decorated with<br />
bunting and photographs<br />
of Leeds from 70 years<br />
ago. Volunteers, staff and<br />
residents were dressed for<br />
the occasion in 1940s attire.<br />
The afternoon featured a<br />
raffle, jumblesale, afternoon<br />
teaand agames corner<br />
wheregueststried their luck<br />
at winning some goodies.<br />
Ahugethank youto<br />
Morrisons supermarket and<br />
Jojo’shairstylists who kindly<br />
donated some great prizes.<br />
Therewas also adisplay of<br />
memorabilia from World War<br />
II that belonged to residents,<br />
friends of Hawthorn Mill and<br />
Armley Helping Hands. The<br />
items had been preserved<br />
meticulouslyand therewas<br />
an incrediblepersonal story<br />
behind each one.<br />
Hawthorn Mill couple, Eddie<br />
and Kath, displayed their<br />
military identity cardswhich<br />
were in mint condition.<br />
Anne, aneighbour of<br />
Hawthorn Mill and collector<br />
of memorabilia, brought<br />
in many items including<br />
severaldolls houses. It<br />
was amazing to discover<br />
she makes all the houses<br />
herself.Hawthorn Mill<br />
means alot to Anne as her<br />
mother was one of the first<br />
residents when it opened 20<br />
yearsago.<br />
The event raised funds for<br />
futureactivities and gave<br />
peoplethe opportunity to<br />
sharetheir ownpoignant<br />
stories and memories from<br />
the era.<br />
13
COMMUNITY<br />
The Great <strong>Get</strong> Together weekend was Friday 16th to Sunday 18th June,<br />
in celebration of the late Batley MP Jo Cox’s belief that “we are far more<br />
united and have far more in common with each other than things that<br />
divide us.” Millions of people came together for the biggest community<br />
celebrations since the Jubilee.<br />
On Friday 16th June we<br />
held an afternoon teaat<br />
Thrive, our community space<br />
in Dewsbury.Wewelcomed<br />
peoplefromall ages and<br />
backgrounds to our gingham<br />
coveredspace–tenants,<br />
toddlers, community groups,<br />
partner organisations, local<br />
policeofficers, MP Paula<br />
Sherriff, family, friends and<br />
staff.<br />
Staff, familyand friends all<br />
enjoyedour Great <strong>Get</strong> Together.<br />
With all the cake,conversation<br />
and community spirit, the<br />
afternoon was aperfect<br />
exampleofwhatThrive, was<br />
created for.<br />
“Sometimes<br />
we just need<br />
an excuse to<br />
get together,<br />
and when we<br />
do, it’s clear<br />
that there’s<br />
much more<br />
that unites<br />
us, exactly<br />
as Jo said.”<br />
Brendan Cox,<br />
Jo’s husband<br />
14
We love Dewsbury…<br />
Alongside the cakes, we also<br />
asked peopletosay ‘cheese’ and<br />
havetheir phototaken in agiant<br />
gingham frame, sharing what they<br />
love about Dewsbury.Wecaptured<br />
all these photos and wordson<br />
our social media pages using the<br />
hashtag #WeLoveDewsbury and<br />
projected these as aliveexhibition<br />
ontothe screens at the event.<br />
Abig thank youto<br />
everyone who took part.<br />
There’salways something<br />
happening at Thrive.<br />
Find out more<br />
hello@thriveatconnect.org<br />
/thriveatconnect<br />
@thriveatconnect<br />
15
<strong>Get</strong> in<br />
touch<br />
Connect Housing is<br />
acharitable housing<br />
association.<br />
Our passion is fora<br />
fairer society, where<br />
people’s homes, health<br />
and happiness matter.<br />
Leeds Office<br />
205 Roundhay Road<br />
Leeds, LS8 4HS<br />
Mon, Tues, Thurs: 9am -5.30pm<br />
Weds: 10.30am -5.30pm<br />
Fri: 9am -5pm<br />
Dewsbury Office<br />
21 Bond Street<br />
Dewsbury, WF13 1AX<br />
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am -5pm<br />
Weds: 10.30am -5pm<br />
We canhelp youunderstand this information in your language. We canalso provide<br />
documents in large print or audio. Please contact us.<br />
This magazine has been printed on FSC certified paper by a<br />
Carbon Balanced Publication Printer using vegetable-based inks.<br />
Resource Reg. No. 2110