Get Connected Spring 2018

THE MAGAZINE FOR RESIDENTS
Spring 2018
Chinese
New
Year
Celebrations at
Hawthorn Mill
Regulator of Social Housing
awards top rating
Win prizes for your
thoughts with our survey
1

In this issue:
3 High Five
Latest news and events
4
5
6
8
10
12
13
14
15
Assessment
results
The outcome of our
inspection revealed
Tenant
involvement
Ways to have your say
Play your
cards right
Catch up with the CRF
...and the
survey says
Win vouchers by telling
us what you think
Our Apprentice
wins big
Lisa Thomas cleans up
at awards ceremony
Repairs review
Residents shape our
repairs service
Year of the dog
Celebrations at our
older people’s scheme
Community spirit
A schedule of events at
our community space
Walking in
our shoes
Find out what a day
in the life of our
Community Housing
Officer – Alan is like.
Welcome
Happy Chinese New Year
and welcome springtime!
We’ve been celebrating
the Chinese New Year
with residents (read
more on page 13) and are
looking forward to warmer
weather after a very cold,
snowy winter.
We’re delighted to announce
the results of Homes
England’s recent inspection
of Connect. Find out what
this means for you and us on
page 4.
We’d like you to get involved
on page 5, by having your
say about gardening and
cleaning services.
The Connect Residents
Federation (CRF) is looking
for new members, find out
more on page 6.
Grab a chance to win prizes
on pages 8/9 by completing a
survey about Get Connected.
We’re proud of our apprentice,
Lisa Thomas who scooped
several awards at an awards
ceremony. Read more on
page 10.
Thank you
On page 14 we highlight
a range of events that are
happening at our community
space, Thrive in Dewsbury.
We round up with insight
into a day in the life of a
Community Housing Officer –
Alan Metcalfe.
We hope you enjoy this
issue of Get Connected –
happy reading!
Share your
thoughts
Get in touch by
phone, email,
Facebook or Twitter
0300 5000 600
communications@
connecthousing.org.uk
/ConnectHousing
@ConnectHousing
Tenants, volunteers and community partners have all been
involved in this issue of the magazine.
We’d like to say a big thank you to the tenants in the Connect
Residents Federation (CRF) and Sandy Smithen from Engage,
the residents of Hawthorn Mill, the Connect Older People’s
Strategists (COPS), and all the tenants on the Connect Scrutiny
Panel (CSP) who have helped shape our repairs services.
2

High Five
News you can use
Easter closure times
Our offices will be closed on Friday 30th March and
Monday 2nd April. We re-open at 9am on Tuesday 3rd of April.
For all emergencies, including repairs or anti-social behaviour
during this time, please call: 0300 5000 600.
Universal Credit
rent changes
Changes to your rent payments will start
on Monday 2nd April. If you are on the
Universal Credit full digital service
(managed through the online portal) you’ll
need to update your rent details to make
sure your housing costs are paid. If you are
in the live service, you don’t need to update
as we have submitted your new rent details
to the DWP. If you need help or advice on
Universal Credit, please contact our
Money Matters Team on: 0300 5000 600.
Don’t worry,
be appy!
Allpay is a free smartphone app that
allows you to make rent payments
conveniently with the push of a button.
It is available on the app store for
Android, Apple and Google devices.
The app is secure and only requires a
payment swipe card to use.
If you would like to know more or
would like to order a payment swipe
card, please ring: 0300 5000 600.
Café sparks
Hidden Memories
May Bank
Holidays
We will be closed on
Monday 7th May and
Monday 28th May for the
May Bank holidays. You
can still contact us for
emergency repairs or to
report anti-social behaviour
on: 0300 5000 600.
Hawthorn Mill in Leeds hosts
the Hidden Memories Café
every month, which supports
people who suffer from any
type of memory loss.
The café offers informal
support, a range of activities and entertainment that
aim to jog memories. Everybody is welcome to attend,
especially carers and relatives.
If you would like join, please call 0113 2311 561,
email louise.clark@connecthousing.org.uk or
visit www.connecthousing.org.uk/hiddenmemories.
3

MONEY
MATTERS UPDATE
Outstanding
result
Connect’s Board and
Management Team
Join the CRF
Following a recent inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing,
we’re pleased that we have maintained our top rating for both Governance
and Viability (G1 V1) – which is an outstanding result.
v
What does this mean
for you?
The rating gives you
assurance that we are:
• properly governed
• good value for money
• viable
• sustainable
We invest your rent back into
new, affordable homes and
services for the community
that would otherwise not
be available.
Governance is all about
making sure that we are
4
properly run, provide a good
service for all tenants and
that our plans are fit for
the future.
I’m delighted with
the outcome, and
with the thoroughly
professional way
that our team and
the Board conducted
themselves
throughout the
process. It’s a great
result for Connect.
Helen Lennon
Chief Executive
Did you know?
We are managed by a
Board of volunteers
who work to ensure we
provide good quality,
affordable homes for
local communities.
If you’d like to find out
more about our Board
members and how we
are run visit:
www.connecthousing.org.uk
/board

v
INVOLVEMENT
Gardening and
cleaning standards
If you currently receive a communal gardening and cleaning service from
us, we’d like to hear from you. The services are set to change later this year,
when we tender for new contractors.
We believe that as you pay for
the service (within your
service charges), you should
have your say in helping to set
the standards of the service.
In exchange for a small
amount of time, you can have
your say and help us to agree
the service standards across
our housing schemes.
We would like to get as
many people as possible
to participate and give
their opinions.
If you’d like to be involved,
please express your interest
on our website:
www.connecthousing.org.uk/
consultation or call Lisa on:
0300 5000 600
Make a difference in
your community
We are looking for volunteers to complete an annual well managed estate
checklist for the estate or scheme that you live on. You can make a massive
difference to where you live in three simple steps:
1 TRAIN
2 ACT
3
Attend a free informal training
session about how to complete
your checklist.
Complete the checklist on your
estate/scheme once a year
(in Summer).
DEBRIEF
Attend a 90 minute meeting to
discuss your findings with the
other volunteers and us.
The process is easy and we’ll
keep your time to a minimum.
We do these checklists to
capture tenant’s feedback
about where they live and
develop action plans for any
issues that may arise.
If you’d like to volunteer to
complete an estate checklist
or find out more, please
contact Lisa Longbottom on:
lisa.longbottom@
connecthousing.org.uk or
0300 5000 600.
5

v
CRF
CRF Engages
The Connect Residents Federation (CRF) recently held their bi-monthly
general meeting at Hawthorn Mill in Leeds, which included special guests
from Engage Leeds support service, quizzes, raffles and games.
v
The CRF welcomed special
guest speaker Sandy
Smithen from Engage Leeds
(which Connect is a part of).
Sandy spoke about the
broad range of housing
support services they
offer which help prevent
homelessness and provide
long-term housing solutions
to 1500 people in Leeds.
She explained how Engage
works with communities
to develop activities to help
people get into employment.
Members held a charity raffle
raising £87 for the Children’s
Air Ambulance.
After catching up with each
other over lunch, members
showcased their knowledge
at the specially designed
Valentine’s Day quiz.
The meeting ended with Play
Your Cards Right, where
five members won some
glamorous prizes. It was an
enjoyable afternoon
and the CRF invites any
Connect tenant to come and
join them.
If you would like to know
more about Engage Leeds
call: 0113 380 7615 or email:
referrals@engageleeds.org.uk
If you’d like to attend a meeting or find out
more about joining the CRF, please contact:
Lisa Longbottom, Tenant Involvement Officer
T: 0300 5000 600
E: lisa.longbottom@connecthousing.org.uk
Join in
The CRF is run by
tenants for tenants and
are always looking for
new members.
Diary dates
2018
General meetings:
Tuesday 10th April, 6-8pm
Leeds
Tuesday 12th June, 6-8pm
Huddersfield
AGM 2018:
Tuesday 10th July, 4-7pm
Venue TBC
6

Taster session
The CRF is having a taster
session and you’re invited.
You’ll be able to mingle
with other Connect
tenants, try out activities
and find out about the aim
of the group.
Food and transport are
provided. All you need to
do to book a place
is call Lisa Longbottom
on: 0300 5000 600.
The deadline to book is
Tuesday 8th May.
The session details are:
Tuesday 15th May
11.30am – 1pm
Hawthorn Mill, Leeds
Helping
communities
The CRF Community Priority Fund is a pot of money
available for tenants to make improvements in
their areas to benefit the wider community.
The CRF Committee
approve small bids all
year round (under £1500),
with larger bids being
considered annually by a
panel of tenants.
The priority fund is £10,000
and applications must
meet at least one of the
criteria: Enhance Security,
Communal Car Parking
Enhancements, Benefits the
Wider Community.
This past year, the CRF have
approved and completed 31
applications, which included
such as security lighting,
fencing and line painting in
communal car parks.
If you have an idea for
improving the area you live
in, contact Lisa Longbottom
for an application form or for
help to complete one.
7

MONEY
MATTERS SURVEY
Connect
to win
We want to make sure that the information and stories
that we deliver in Get Connected are relevant and interesting
to you. We’d like to know what you think about the content of the
magazine and the way you receive it. We’re offering you the chance to
win shopping vouchers in a prize draw for telling us your thoughts.
To enter, simply fill in this short survey
and post it back to us using the freepost
envelope enclosed with the magazine.
If you would prefer to give us feedback
digitally, (you can enter the prize draw
either way) you can complete it online at:
www.connecthousing.org.uk/gcfeedback
Please make sure that you complete all
of the questions, as only fully completed
surveys will be entered into the prize draw.
There are three Morrison’s shopping
vouchers up for grabs. Winners will be
drawn on Monday 14th May so get your
entries in fast.
Prizes
£20
VOUCHER
£30
VOUCHER
£10
VOUCHER
Silver
Gold
Bronze
8

The survey
Name
Age
Gender
email
What articles do you like the most in this issue of Get Connected and why?
Are there any articles that you don’t like in this issue, if so why?
What would you like to see more of? (Please tick below - maximum three)
Current affairs
Competitions (eg. photo captions)
Housing
Interactive pages, such as publishing
letters, photos, poems
Other (please specify)
Financial hints and tips
Sport and leisure
Building Developments
Domestic/cooking hints
and tips
How would you prefer to receive the magazine?
On our website
Paper copy through the post
Other (please specify)
On social media
Through email
Any other comments?
9

HOMES
Lisa
wins
big at
awards
event
Our Apprentice plumber, Lisa Thomas was the star of the show at a
gleaming awards ceremony held by Bradford College Group. Out of 30
candidates, Lisa won both the awards for overall Apprentice of the Year
and Apprentice of the Year in construction.
v
Lisa has a busy life that
combines training, raising
her two children (aged seven
and three) and working at
Connect. She was ecstatic
when she found out that
she had won the prestigious
awards and said:
“I have always been
interested in a career
in construction but was
hesitant when I was younger
as I feared it was too male
dominated. When I became
a mum, I decided to follow
my dream career and do
something I enjoyed, while
setting a positive example
to my young children.
I was able to do this working
at Connect.”
10
Winning was
overwhelming,
I am so
humbled.
It means so
much to me
to win and
set a positive
example to my
kids, women in
construction
and other
single parents
out there.
Lisa Thomas
Apprentice Plumber
Apprenticeships
We think it’s important
to invest in young
people and regularly
have apprenticeships in
repairs, maintenance,
neighbourhoods, support
and housing.
Sign up
You can sign up to
be alerted when
apprenticeships become
available at:
www.connecthousing.org.uk/
apprenticeships

v
A guide to
safe gardening
As the evenings draw out and the flowers start blooming, we thought that a
short guide on gardening safely would be handy.
Dress
sensibly
Keep young children
and pets safe
Prepare and
maintain equipment
Wearing rubber soled
footwear will increase your
protection against electric
shocks. Never wear sandals,
flip-flops or loose clothing
that could get caught or
cause you to trip over.
Don’t allow young children
to operate gardening
machinery such as lawn
mowers or dangerous
tools. We advise keeping
pets indoors whilst using
machinery to avoid accidents.
Make sure that your gardening
kit is safe and secure with no
damaged electrical cables or
components. Always switch
off and unplug appliances
before lifting, adjusting
or cleaning them.
Flush
only
the
three
Ps
We are urging all tenants to
only flush the three Ps down
their toilets – paper, poo
and pee.
There has been an increase
in pipe and sewer blockages
across our homes due to the
flushing of baby/wet wipes,
fats and other unsuitable
objects down the toilet/sink.
Toilets are designed to
dispose of human waste and
toilet roll. There are some
wet wipes that say they are
flushable, but they can take
many years to biodegrade
and contribute to blocked
pipes and sewers across our
water network.
If you flush wipes and other
items such as cotton buds
down the toilet, you are
increasing the risk of causing
a blockage in your pipes and
across the wider network.
Washing leftover cooking
fat, oil and grease down your
sink can cause blockages.
If you would like more
guidance, visit:
www.yorkshirewater.com/
blockages
11

SCRUTINY
Tenant volunteers
review repairs service
We involve residents in scrutinising our services via the Connect Scrutiny
Panel (CSP) who look in depth at the different services we offer.
The CSP recently
scrutinised our
Responsive Repairs
Service, which was
identified as the top
priority for tenants.
The review focussed on the
changes to the service since
repairs were brought inhouse.
It involved looking at
satisfaction and complaints
data, and how we perform
compared to other Housing
providers.
The CSP carried out some
reality checking exercises
like hosting focus groups
and interviewing key
staff members.
The Panel produced a report,
which was presented by
the tenants to the Board.
The result of the review told
us that the repairs service
has become more efficient,
more cost effective and that it
was the right choice to bring
it in-house.
The report identified eight
areas of improvement
for tenants and staff.
One of these was how
we capture and record
expressions of dissatisfaction
from customers.
We are taking all of these
recommendations on board
and are tracking the
progress accordingly.
I loved sitting
with the
hotline staff
and finding out
more about the
work that they
do, it was really
interesting.
CSP panel member
Great news
The CSP’s findings
reassured us that the
service is meeting its
aims and objectives:
• Efficient, affordable
and sustainable
• Fair and meets the
needs of customers
• Supports Connect’s
values
Join the CSP
We are actively recruiting
tenants to be a part of
scrutinising our services.
The CSP don’t just
scrutinise repairs, they
look at many areas of
Connect.
For more details about
what it requires or how
to join the CSP, contact
Lisa Longbottom, Tenant
Involvement Officer
on: lisa.longbottom@
connecthousing.org.uk
or call: 0300 5000 600
12

v
OLDER
PEOPLE
Year of
the dog
Friday 16th February 2018 marked the Chinese New Year. Our older people’s
scheme – Hawthorn Mill celebrated in honour of Jie, a Chinese resident.
v
The scheme was decorated
in traditional colours and
Chinese delicacies were on
offer from spring rolls to
fortune cookies. Chinese
music filled the room
and created a fun and
authentic atmosphere.
Scheme Manager, Sarah
Lumb, led fun oriental
activities including Chinese
bingo and card games.
Jie was happy to teach
the other residents about
Chinese culture and show
them what their animal signs
were. 2018 is the year of the
dog, which is the sign a
few residents shared.
Jie was overwhelmed by the
event, it made her day for
us to embrace her culture.
The community and inclusive
spirit at Hawthorn Mill is
designed to make tenants
always feel welcome,
at home, supported,
surrounded by friends and to
enjoy life.
Christmas COPS
Connects Older People’s
Strategists (COPS) ended
their 2017 in style with a
fantastic Christmas party
at Hawthorn Mill. They’re
recruiting members to
join in the strategising
and fun for 2018. If you’re
over 55 and interested,
contact Sarah Lumb.
If you’d like to find out more about our older
people’s scheme and COPS, please contact:
Sarah Lumb, Senior Scheme Manager
T: 0113 2311 561
E: sarah.lumb@connecthousing.org.uk
13

THRIVE
Thrive is bustling
Situated in the heart of Dewsbury, our community space
Thrive, hosts a variety of community groups, exhibitions, work
space and a brand new café.
CAFÉ OPENING
We have some exciting
news about our Thrive
café. From early April,
we will be open to all,
serving freshly ground
Bean Brothers coffee,
hearty wholesome
breakfasts and nutritious,
delicious lunches.
We’ll make sure that all of
the food and drink is locally
sourced and affordable
with vegetarian, vegan,
halal and coeliac options.
Why not pop in for a drink
and bite to eat?
GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
Thrive has become home to a number of exciting
community groups and activities. Below are just a few
diverse groups that use our versatile space:
KIRKLESS VISION
IMPAIRMENT NETWORK
Music taster workshops for
the visually impaired.
Every Tuesday, 10am - 12pm
Free (50p refreshments)
Contact Martin: 07974 603699
info@kvin.co.uk
PAIN PEER
SUPPORT GROUP
Relaxed activities to help
people in physical pain.
Every Tuesday, 11.30am - 2pm
£2 donation (50p refreshments)
Contact Amanda: 07543 579843
amandabailey67@icloud.com
NATIONAL
VEGETARIAN WEEK
Help us to mark Vegetarian
Week on 14th-20th May.
Our menu will be completely
vegetarian serving healthy,
nutritious food. We’ll give
out tempting free samples
too. All welcome.
DIFFERENT STROKES
Supporting stroke survivors
of working age.
Second and fourth Thursday
of each month, 2pm - 4pm
Free (50p for refreshments)
Contact Sue: 07597 805056
sue.lerums@gmail.com
MUSIC AND MEMORY
Music is used to rekindle
hidden memories.
Every Thursday, 10am - 12pm
Free (50p for refreshments)
Please book in advance
Contact Rebecca: 07526 723488
rebecca@sakuramusic.co.uk
CONTACT US
0300 5000 600
hello@thriveatconnect.org
/thriveatconnect
@thriveatconnect
VOLUNTEER AT THRIVE
We’re looking for volunteers to help in
our café. We offer valuable work based
experience and ‘on the job’ training. If this
sounds like something you’re looking for,
please register your interest by visiting:
www.connecthousing.org.uk/thrivevols
14

COMMUNITY
Meet our
Community
Housing
Officer
v
Our Community Housing Officers (CHOs) work with our tenants to ensure all
our communities are the best they can be. Here’s a day in Alan’s shoes.
v
Hello, my name is
Alan Metcalfe and I am a
Community Housing Officer
in the North Kirklees area
for Connect and this is
what I do.
My role is very varied, I
never get two days that
are the same. Today I
started planning my day
at 9am, mixing the
unexpected alongside
pre-booked appointments.
I met up with a few tenants in
Hightown, Dewsbury.
It’s always interesting hearing
how people are getting
involved with their community
and neighbours.
Tenants’ ideas
and insights are
essential when I
am thinking about
the ways we can all
work together to
improve local areas.
Alan Metcalfe
Community Housing Officer
Then on to Batley to help
deal with persistent rubbish
dumping in communal
areas and discuss a parking
problem with local residents.
I returned to the office to
book some visits with our
new tenants. I aim to visit new
tenants in the first week of
joining Connect to introduce
myself, welcome them to
the neighbourhood and
explain what I do. I finish the
day with my team, working
through our new Anti-Social
Behaviour toolkit that’s
launching soon.
If you would like to have a chat with your
Community Housing Officer, please contact:
Helen Gallimore
Service Manager - Neighbourhoods
T: 0300 5000 600
E: helen.gallimore@connecthousing.org.uk
One of the best bits of
my role is getting to help
different people every day.
I get satisfaction from helping
our communities and my
involvement can mean a
positive outcome all-round.
15

Get in
MONEY
MATTERS
touch
0300 5000 600
www.connecthousing.org.uk
hello@connecthousing.org.uk
Connect Housing is
a charitable housing
association.
Our passion is for a
fairer society, where
people’s homes, health
and happiness matter.
/ConnectHousing
@ConnectHousing
Leeds Office
205 Roundhay Road
Leeds, LS8 4HS
Mon, Tues, Thurs: 9am - 5.30pm
Weds: 10.30am - 5.30pm
Fri: 9am - 5pm
Dewsbury Office
21 Bond Street
Dewsbury, WF13 1AX
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am - 5pm
Weds: 10.30am - 5pm
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