• Foundthatweareverycriticalofourselves-weselfevaluatetoidentifyareasinwhichwecanimprove;

• Whentheymetwithourtenantstheydidn’trefertoMHA,butratheras‘we’;

• Thesignificantimpactwehaveasanassociationinthecommunity.There-structurethattookplace18monthsagoseemstobeworkingwell.TheRegulatorswereextremelyimpressedandpositiveabouttheworkandachievementsoftheCommunityandNeighbourhoodTeams;

• TheyalsocomplimentedthefactthatweunderstandtoRegulatoryOutcomes;

• AndweprovidegoodValueforMoney.

Alloftheabovepoints,inparticularvalueformoney,willstandusingoodsteedfortheupcomingHousingBenefitReform.

Regulation

ThefeedbackfromtheRegulatorswasveryencouraging.TheRegulatorshighlightedpositiveareaswheretheywereimpressed,andalsopointedoutourshortcomings,thatwehadalreadyrecognisedourselves.

SomeofthepositivepointsthattheRegulatorsacknowledgedwere:

• TheywereimpressedwiththeclearleadershipfromSMTandBoard;

• TheLeadershipqualitiesmanyofourstaffhold;

• Theyfeltwewere,asourvaluesstate,openandhonest;

• Theyfeltthatstaffreflectedourvaluesandobjectivesinthewayweconductourselvesandcarryoutourwork;

• AcknowledgedthatwetakecalculatedRisks;

TheRegulatorstoucheduponproblemswithcontactingMHAbytelephone–however,incontrarytothis,telephoningisstillthepreferredmethodofcontactforourtenantsbecausetheyarereceivingsuchgoodserviceslevels,evenwiththesignificantincreaseintheamountofcallswereceivedcomparedtolastyear.

OveralltheirimpressionofMHAwasgood,withafewareasinwhichwecanimprove.

Johncongratulatedstaffontheirhardwork.

looking FoRwaRd

WewerenotsuccessfulinourbidforthePowysWHQSwork.Howeverwescoredhighestinregardstoqualityand4thinregardstocost.Johnexplainedthecurrentsituationwithsmallercontractorstryingtomaintaincashflowbydecreasingtheirprices.

Johnalsoreiteratedtheneedtocommencetoaddresscommerciality.WeneedtofindexternalworktogenerateextraincomewhichwillhelpbalanceoutthedeficitweareexpectingfromtheHousingBenefitReform.CommercialitytraininghasbeenarrangedforthenecessarystaffinJanuary.

BoaRd

AttheChristmasBoardMeetingoutcome6ofRegulatoryReport–WeBuildandrenovatehomestoagoodqualitywasdiscussed.RegulatorswereveryimpressedwiththeWHQsworkandnewworkwehavecarriedout.

TheBoardapprovedthenewWelshLanguageScheme

TheBoardalsoapprovedthenewMonmouthshireAchievementProgrammefor2013.

TrevorBowenCourtoutcomesneedtoberevisitedshortly.

TenantsSatisfactionSurveyResults:JohnthankedeveryoneinvolvedincollatingtheTenantsSatisfactionResults.

Thisisthefirstyearwehavedoneitinternally,andsubsequentlyhavehadthehighestresponserates(33%)andhadtheresultsinthequickesttime,andsavedmoneyindoingso!

Duetoanumberofchangesthisyear,theresultswouldbethebestweshouldhopetoachieve.

90%oftenantsareeither‘satisfied’or‘verysatisfied’withthe‘OverallserviceprovidedbyMonmouthshireHousingAssociation’.Thisisup3%fromlastyear,andwhenbenchmarked,putsusfirstinrelationtootherWelshHousingAssociations

‘YourRentProvidesValueforMoney’,‘YourNeighbourhoodasaplacetolive’and‘theoverallqualityofyourhome’satisfactionrateshaveallincreasedbyatleast4%sincelastyearandareabovetheupperquartilebenchmarkprovidedbyHousemark.

OverallSatisfactionwithRepairsandMaintenanceisup4%fromlastyearto87%,andthisisstillabovethehigherquartilefiguresetoutbyHousemark.Johncongratulatedtheteamandsaidthatthereisstillspaceforimprovement,butbytweakingwhatwealreadydowewillbeabletoachievethis.

‘MHAlistenstoyourviews’satisfactionrateshaveincreasedby13%thisyearto79%!ThiswasalsoreflectedintheRegulatorsReport.

By Cheryl TraCy

Onthe8thNovembermyselfandScottbravedthecoldandtookpartinLlamau’sSleepOutinCardiff.LlamauareahomelessnesscharitywhoprovidevitalservicestoyoungpeopleandwomenacrossSouthWales,serviceswhichmaybecomemoreessentialgiventhecurrentclimateandtheloomingwelfarereform.

WearrivedattheSleepOutat6.30pmwearingsomanylayersthatitwasdifficulttomove!!WeweremetbyanextremelyfriendlyLlamauteam,whowerefullofenergyandenthusiasmforthenightahead.Wedumpedourstuffinthelockersprovidedandgotreadytospendanightinthecold.WewereluckyenoughtohaveentertainmentputonbyLlamauintheformoflocalcomediansandbandsandourspiritswerekeptupbyAngelaZenati,aswekepteverybodyupdatedviaFacebook.

Come12.30wewerereadytogoto‘bed’–whichwasapieceofgrasscoveredwithapieceofcardboard(Althoughwedidhavetheluxuryofacardboardenvelope,whichkeptuswarm).Wewerefairlyluckywiththeweatheranditprovedtobequiteamildnight,withtheexceptionofthehowlingwind.Ihadtokeepmyfaceascoveredaspossibleduetothecold.Ialsohadtokeepturningovertokeepthepins/needlesandnumbnessatbay.Itwasoneofthemostuncomfortablenightsofmylifeandaverysoberingexperience.WhenIhadfinallydriftedofftosleepwehadour6amwakeupcallandthenightwasover.

WewouldliketogiveamassivethankyoutoStaffwhosponsoredusandhelpedusraiseamassive£930,whichcontributedtothe£24,492raisedbytheevent.WewouldalsoliketosayamassivethankyoutoMHAwhoagreedtosponsorus£250.

IfyouwouldliketotakepartintheSleepOutnextyear,pleaseletmeknow.It’saworthwhileeventforabrilliantcauseandreallymakesyouappreciatethedifficultiesotherpeoplefaceonadailybasis.

By Jane Grayer

TwotasterSessionshavebeenrunrecentlybytheCommunityInvestmentteamtoencourageparentstocookwiththeirchildren.8parentswithatotalof14childrenrangingfrom18monthsto9yearsfromMonmouthandCaldicotmadespiderbiscuitsforHalloweenandpastawithavegetableandbaconsaucesoeveryonehadfoodreadyforlunch.Thechildrenalllearnedbasicknifeskills,howtomixcookiedoughandshapebiscuitsaswellaslotsaboutdifferentfruitandvegetables.Flourandcocoapowdermixedwithlaughterandencouragementasallthechildrengotstuckin.

Theonlyquietpointwaswhentheywereallowedtosampletheirbiscuitsaftercookingandcooling.Theparentsallfeltmoreconfidenttoinvolvetheirchildrenincookingathome,withplansformingaboutthenextrecipestobetackled.

Meanwhileallthechildrendrewpicturesofpeoplewithsmileyfacesandplatesofbiscuitswithonewriting,‘Bestdayever.Thankyou’

FourmoresessionsareplannedforEastertime(oneineachofthemaintowns).

By david morris

IcanstillrememberthatfeelingwhenIthoughtthatSantawasnotrealafterall...itwashorribleandleftarealemptiness.IwonderedwhatwouldChristmasbelikenowthatallthemagicwasgone?Ifrequentlystillhearpeoplesay“Christmas??...wellit’sforthechildrenisn’tit”

IguessIbelievedthatwasindeedthecaseuntiloneFebruarynightalongtimeago,whilstatuniversityinAberystwyth,IbecameaChristian.OhnonotreligionIhearyoucry...NOnotreligionbutarelationshipwithJesusChrist.SoundsweirdIknowbutaguytoldmeIcouldhaveforgivenessforthebadthingsinmylifeandexperienceanewlife,anewstart.Ididn’tunderstandittotallybutIknewthatIwantedapurposetomylifesofromthatdayIdecidedtofollowJesus,thatishisteachings,hiswayofliving.

IstartedgoingtochurchbutpleasehearmewhenIsaygoingtochurchdoesnotmakeyouaChristian.Peoplehaveloadsofissueswithchurchwhichisnotsurprisingasits’fullofimperfectpeoplelikeme.NobeingaChristianisaboutgettingtoknowJesusthroughreadingthebibleandprayingandIknowit’srealtome.

AtthatpointIfoundthefantasticmeaningofChristmaswhichisevenmorewonderfulthanbelievinginSanta.EventhelyricsoftheChristmascarolsmadesense,thestorytookonawholenewmeaningandIenjoycelebratingthebirthofmySaviour.

IdobelievethatGodgaveusalltheperfectgiftatChristmasofhisSon.Idon’twantto“forcereligiondownanyone’sthroat”butwouldsimplyaskthat,maybeinthebusinessofthistimeofyear,youconsidertheOneitisallabout.Aswithanygiftyouhaveachoicetoacceptitornot.

Finally,IwanttostressthatasaChristianIamaworkinprogress,Istillmessup(asmanyofyouknow!)butIknowGodforgivesmewhenIdoandIcanstartagain.

SohaveagreatChristmasandIprayHisblessingandpeacetoyouthroughouttheNewYear!

MHA’scomputersinthecommunityschemeisgoingfromstrengthtostrengthwithover40computersnowoutonloan.isn’tittimeyouconsideredlookingintothis?

TheMHAComputersintheCommunitySchemewillallowyoutouseyourloanedcomputerinthecomfortofyourownhome,helpingyoutolearnatyourownpace.Providingyouhavecompleted3basiccoursesandarewillingtostudyfurther,wecanofferyouacomputertouseforthosestudies.

Pleasenotethatthisschemeistargetedatthosewhodon’thaveacomputerandwanttolearn.Thisisalimitedresourceandcannotbeopentoall.

ForfurtherinformationonourComputersintheCommunityschemeandtoseeifyouqualifypleaseringandrequestaleafletandapplicationformfromRobyneSquireon01495 761007

Pleasenotethatyouwillneedtoprovideevidenceoflearningaspartofthequalifyingcriteria.

Hiall!MovemberisfinallyoverandalreadyanumberoftheMO’sgrownhavebeenremoved,howeverthereisstilltimetodonatetothisworthycause(Men’sHealth–tofightTesticularandProstateCancer)

Thankyoutoeverybodywhohasdonatedalready,asateam“MHA’sMobros”wehavealreadyraised£103inonlinedonationsandthereisstilltimetoraisesomemorebeforethemoneyhasbeensentin.

Ifyouwouldliketostilldonatetothisveryworthycauseeithergoonlineandfollowthelink:

https://www.movemBeR.com/uk/donate/payment/team_id/803029

orhandinyourcashdonationstoeitherIanAtkinson,AndrewNash,AdrianSimmonds,JohnDaviesorRobCarey.

By roByne sQUire

ThelatestroundsofITsessionsatMHAschemeshavebeenaspopularasever!Theoriginal‘ComputersforBeginners’sessionsbeganatPlasMawr,Usklastyearbuthavenowbranchedouttotwomoresitesinthesouthofthecounty,TheReddingsinChepstowandTheLawnsinMagor.ThesessionsstartedinAugustwithafourweektastercourseandweresowellreceivedthatwecreateda10weekcoursetostartsoonafterwithMonmouthshireAdultEducationwhichisduetofinishintwoweekstime.

MHAprovidedallthelaptopsandlearnerscanborrowthemaspartofthe‘ComputersintheCommunity’schemetocontinuepractisingtheirnewskillsoutsideofclass.

Thesessionshavebeenwellattendedwith15tenantscontinuingtolearnaboutcomputersandtheinternetonaregularbasis.

Sofarthestudentshavelearntaboutbasickeyboardandmouseskills,createddocumentsandpostersinMicrosoftWord,setupe-mailaccountsandlearnthowtoshopsafelyontheinternet.AnothercourseissettostartinJanuarywherelearnerswilldelvefurtherintotheinternetworldlookingatsocialmediasitesandsettingupSkypeaccountstotalktofamilyandfriendsaroundtheworld.Bydigitallyincludingtheselearners,wearealsopreparingsomeofouroldertenantsfortheupcomingbenefitapplicationchangesbyhelpingthemfeelsafeandconfidentonline.

By roByne sQUire

WiththecoldnightscreepinginandChristmasontheway,MHAhelditspopularannualKeepWarmandWelleventsbetween14thand30thNovemberatthreeschemesaroundthecounty,WellfieldCloseHall,Abergavenny,PlasMawr,UskandTheReddingsinChepstow.

Theeventhelpstopromotestayingwarm,wellandhealthytoouroldertenantsduringthecold,wintermonths.

Theeventofferedtenantsover55thechancetogetadviceandinformationonsubjectssuchasmoney,energyefficiency,communitygroupsandhomeadaptationsfromorganisationslikeMoneywise,MCCCareandRepairandCommunityConnections.

AsusualweofferedfreeteaandcaketoallattendeesandafreeentranceintoaChristmasHamperRafflecrammedfullofgoodiesandcupboardstaplestoseeanyonethroughwinter.Tenantscamealongforalldifferentreasons,whetheritwasforadvicefrompartners,informationonlocalservicesorjustforafriendlychatandcupofteabutwhateverthereason,theeventwasenjoyedbyallwhocamealong.

our intrepid explorer who likes the scottish highlands and nepal, took the challenge of attempting to get from newport to mamhilad and back again without using his ozone destroying box on wheels. is it possible? how long would it take? using mha’s newly acquired folding bike.

Thebikefoldseasilyandcanbecarr

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Needsabitofplanning–Clothesneedtobeleftinworkinadvance.Trainsarefairlylimitedsoifyoumissoneyoucouldendupwaitinganotherhour.Trainticketsarearound10%cheaperifyoubookovertheinternetthenightbefore(Ipaidfullpriceontheday).Tryitsometime–it’sgoodforyou!

ThisyearhasbeenabusyyearfortheTenantSupportTeam,andtheteammembershavereorganisedtheirworktoeachhaveadesignatedcaseload.Eachtenantinour10shelteredschemeshasanamedTenantSupportOfficerwhoistheir‘keyworker’

TheteamspendsabitoftimeworkingandliasingwithcolleaguesinHealthandSocialServicesaswellasNeighbourhoodOfficersandtheCommunityServicesTeam.

Inadditiontothe400plustenantsinShelteredSchemeswhohaveasupportplan,theteamhavevisitedafurther90MHAtenants(over60yearsofage)inthewidercommunity.Thepurposeofthesevisitsistoassesstheperson’ssupportneedstoseeifwecanaccess,signpostorsupportthetenant.Forexampleincreaseincome,haveaids/adaptionsfitted,learnaboutreleventactivitiesandlocalorganisations.Thesupportweprovideisverymuchfocusedonsettinggoalswiththepersontohelpthemstayhealthy,secureandindependantintheirownhome.

TheSeniorVoicegroup(madeupoftenantsfromShelteredSchemes)recentlyratedtheirsatisfactionwiththeTenantSupportService.Theyscoredusoutof10inthefollowingareas:

• FeelingSafe:8.1• Feelingpartofthecommunity:7.5• Managingrelationships:8.2• Supporttoleadahealthyandactive

lifestyle:8.7• Supporttoengageineducationand

learning:6.8• Supporttostaymentallywell:9.5

Obviouslythereisalwaysroomforimprovement,andwearecurrentlylookingathowwecangivemoresupportinareasthathavescoredthelesswellthanothers.

Inadditiontothevisitsandsupportworkweundertake,wearealsoresponsibleforfittingandmaintaininghardwareanddispersalalarmserviceprovidedtoover1,200MHAoldertenants.Thisyear(2012)wehave:

• Fitted28alarms• Provided60additionalpendantsfor

tenantsatriskoffalling• Dealtwith72underlyingfaults

Wehavealsohadapart-timededicatedSupportOfficerwhohasorganisedaprogrammeofactivitiesandeventsinShelteredSchemesthroughouttheyear.Theprimaryfocusoftheseeventsisintheareasofmobility,sightandhearing.

TheASBTeamwereshortlistedfortheSocialLandlordsCrimeandNuisanceGroup(SLCNG)forteam oF the yeaRawardfor‘deliveringresults’

TheSLCNGistheUK’sleadinghousingbasedorganisationspecialisingindeliveringeffectivesolutionstoanti-socialbehaviour.TheASBteamwascommendedbythejudgingpanelandwastheonlyWelshHousingAssociationtobeshortlistedwhichistestamenttothehardworkoftheteam,byachievingsomuchinashortspaceoftime.

new policies

MHArecognisesthatdomesticabusecanimpingeonanindividual’sworkperformanceandultimatelyonserviceprovision,andthereforeissupportiveofanyemployeewhoisexperiencingdomesticabuse.Thispolicyprovidesadviceonthesupportavailable.

ThefollowingpolicieshavealsobeenreviewedandupdatedattheStaffCommunicationsGroup

• Learning&Development• Whistleblowing• Probation

all policies can Be Found on inhouse

Herearesomephotosofyouenjoyingtheboothatthisyear’sXmasParty.

MynameisDewiandIpreviouslyworkedastheITTechnicianinYsgolGyfunGwynllyw,aWelshmediumschoolinTrevethin.Myhobbiesincludeplayingrugby,footballanddarts.

HellomynameisDavidandIamthenewAffordabilityOfficerworkingona6monthspilotproject.

Myroleinvolvesprovidingpre-tenancyadvicetohelptenantsunderstandthecostassociatedwithtakingonapropertywithMHA–especiallyinlightofthewelfarereformchanges.Iwillworkcloselywiththe

lettingsteam,theMoneyWiseserviceandtheNeighbourhoodofficers.

Theaimofthe6monthspilotistoascertainifpretenancyadvicecanhelpinsustainingtenancybyprovidingupfrontadvicefortenantstomakeinformeddecisionsintakingonnewtenancies.

By raChal Collins

Stress?Depression?Anxiety?Panicattacks?Etc….I’vehadthemallinvaryingdegreessinceIwasasmallchild.

‘Mentalillness’hassuchaperceivedstigmaattachedtoitthatpeopleareafraid,ashamedorembarrassed(usuallyallofthem)toadmittohavingsufferedfromanyofthem.I’madmittingtoitandtosayI’mperfectly‘normal’(myclosefriendswillnodoubtbesniggeringatthatstatement…)

AnyoftheissuesthatcomeundertheMentalHealthumbrellacanbetrulydebilitating–andencroachonallpartsofyourlife.Iamanemetophobe(extremefearofvomiting).Thiscausesmetobeovervigilantaboutavoidinggerms–Ihaven’ttouchedadoorhandleorstairbanisterforyears(alwaysusemysleeve)andIhavebeenknowntoflushatoiletwithmyfoot!

Panicattackscanmanifestthemselvesbythepersonfeelinglikethey‘willdie’,notme–whenIhaveatruepanicattackIfeellikeIwillthrowup,which(giventheemetophobia)makesmepanicmore,whichmakesmefeelmoresick,etc.etc….

WhenIwaspregnantwithmyfirstbabyIwasextremelyworried.....notabout‘normal’pregnancyrelatedissues,no–myfearswerenuclearwar!Iwouldobsessivelywatcheverynewsbulletinandeventhemosttenuouslinkwouldsendmyanxietyoffthescale.

Iwasdiagnosedwithdepressionin1997andhavebeenonanti-depressantseversince.Ihavetriedtocomeoffthemseveraltimesovertheyears,whenIfeltwellenoughtodowithoutthem.Disappointingly,withinafewweeksofstoppingthem,(weaningmyselfinacontrolledmannerwithmedicaladvice)mybrainrecognisedthechemicalimbalanceandIwasrightbackdownagain.Inowacceptthat,justlikeIneedmyinhalertodealwithmyasthma,IneedCitalopramtoredressthechemicalimbalancethatcancausedepression.

Irefertomybaddepressiontimesas‘blackcardiedays’aswhenIwasatmyworst,Ispentmydaysinabigblackcardigan,lyingonthesofamindlesslyflickingthroughtheSkychannels.

WhenIwenttotally‘bellyup’,IleftmyjobasIfeltunabletodoitproperly,andspentthenextyeargettingbetter,graduallyspendinglesstimeonthesofaandmoregentlewalkingandgettingout.ThenextyearIpaintedeverywallinmyhousewhite,somethingthatIfeltmademefeelbrighter!ThethirdyearIfeltwellenoughtothinkaboutworkagain.IhadafewfalsestartswhenIgotscaredandbottleditandturnedjobsdownbuteventuallyIappliedforandgotajobinrecruitmentintheNHS.Thatwas2001andI’vebeeninworksincethen.

IhaveseenjustabouteverytypeofMHprofessionalthereis–psychiatrist,whotalkedaboutmydreamsandIreallycouldn’tseewhatthathadtodowithanything(weallhavethemostrandom,weirddreamsdon’twe?).Nextwasapsychologistwhotriedcognitivebehaviouraltherapy(todealwiththeemetophobia).Thisincludedlisteningtotapes(rememberthose?)ofsomeonepretendingtobesick.(Itjustmademelaughasitwassoclearlypretend).IthenhadsomesessionswithaCommunityPsychiatricNurse-thatwasquiteuseful.CounsellingwasthetherapythatIfoundmostbeneficial(butIhavehadseveraldifferentonesovertheyears).Themostrecentattemptwassixsessionsofhypnotherapyformyanxiety.(I’mnottotallyconvincedthatworkedeither!)

I’vecometorealisethatIamwhoIamandalthoughIstrugglesometimes,I’mmostlyahappy‘sane’person.Ibelievethathavingmentalhealthproblemsdoesnotmakemeanylessofapersonandwouldliketosaytoanyonewho’ssuffering(andItrulybelievewealldoatsometime)it’soktobe‘mad’.

Inolongerhavetheblackcardieeither…..

Eachmonth,we dedicate a section of

EBUZZtostaffcomplimentsaswe like

to let everyone know howmuch their

colleagues and customers value them!

Hereareafewofthemostrecentones.

helen Jameswantedtothankneil BinnellandRoByne squiReforinvitingthecareandrepairteamtotheKeepWarmandWelleventsthathaverunthroughoutMonmouthshirerecently.IwouldalsoliketocommendyouonyourteamandespeciallyyourTraineeHousingOfficerRobyneSquire.Shemadeusfeelsowelcome,shewassopleasantandnothingwastoomuchtroubleforher.Thelocationswerefabandtheatmospheregeneratedwassopositive,warmandfriendly.Sheisanassettoyourorganisation.

mRs cuRReywouldliketosayamassivethankyoutoeveryonethatputmykitchenandbathroomin,theworkmenworkedwondersandwereabsolutelyfantastic,theykepteverythingcleanandtidyandverypoliteandevengaveconversationtobrightenmydaythatIreallyappreciated,soMHAkeepupthegoodwork.Youcan’timproveperfectioninmyeyes.Thankyou.

susan sandhamwouldliketothankneil BinnellandJill evansfortheirmeeting.ItwashelpfultocleartheairandyouwereverypatientwithherandIhopethatwecanresolvesomething.InfuturewewillbespeakingtoJillmorewefeel.

mR colemanwouldliketocommendtheelectriciansRichaRd moRRisandcRaig FalconeRwhocarriedoutthereplacementofafailednightstorageheaterandfortheirhelpandtidinessindoingtheirwork.

mRs thomaswouldliketopassonherthankstoheatingengineersnick BRownandJake cohenwhofittedaradiatoratapropertyanddidawonderfuljob,wereverycleanandpolite.

miss Rowleswroteintothankneil Binnellandthehousing suppoRt teamfortheirletterofofferofhelpandsupport.MissRowlesreallyappreciatedthisgesture.

stacey edwaRdswenttomakeanewairingcupboarddoorforms whitBy,shesayshedidanabsolutelywonderfuljobandhewasexcellent.

mRs mclauchlan wouldliketoappraiseherfirst5monthsinMHAhome.Thestaffhavebeenconsiderate,understandinganddiscreetwhenneeded..

• “Issuefrontlinestaffwithpocketbookofdirectlinenos...”-Stafftoloadessentialnumbersontotheirphones.

• “Staffshoppingtrip.”-Hasbeenconsideredpreviouslyandmaybearrangedinthefuture.

• “UniformforReceptionist...”-Uniformsareanissueforindividualmanagers.

• “HavingSMVSonjobdescriptionforaPlumber...”-Isalreadybeingconsidered.

• “ChargerentandofferoldbathroomsinBrooksideforstorageforresidents...”-ThissuggestionhasgonetoAndrewNash.

• “CommunityDIYeventsforTenantsbyourTradestaff...”-ThishasalreadybeensuggestedandhasgonetoSMT.

• “Collectstampsonincomingmailtogivetocharities...”-ForwardedtoSueKidd.

• “Sendmorerecharges...”-Isalreadyinprogress.

• “PowerlightingincommunalareasatSchemeswithsolarenergy...”-ForwardedtoSueKidd.

• “TwitterBoard...”-Agreetotrial,CorporateServiceswillpromote.

• “AutotyrepressuregaugeatHQ...”-Someconcernsaboutongoingmaintenanceandsafety

• “ImprovefirstimpressionofVoids-‘welcomehamper’/flowers...”-Welcomepackisprovided.

WINNINGSUGGESTION

TodonatecomputerstolocallibrariesandutilisethespacetopromoteMHA-david Rawlings

Manyothersuggestionsweremadebystaff.Suggestionsputforwardandoutcomes

‘FortheexcellentsupportworkonGlanyNantlastFriday.Onetenantwasillandhadnoheatingandanother’sbackwassobadthatAnnMariehadtodress,toiletandgiveherbreakfast.Twoothertenantsalsohadproblemsatthesametime,butshedealtwitheverythinginherusualcalmandprofessionalmanner.’

‘Forgoingaboveandbeyond,andsortingoutapeskyproblemwithmyPC-makingsurewepayoursuppliersontime!’

‘Forhelpinganewoapresidentintohisaccommodationbyensuringhehasallthehelpneededforthemove.’

‘ThankyouRhiannonforgoingthatextramiletohelpatenantwhohadjustcomeoutofhospital.’

‘Forhavingbeenonaweeksholidayandcomingbacktoatrainingday,Bridgethasmadesuremyclientshadawellbeingcallwithoutmeaskingher,sheknewwhotocontactknowingshewastheonlysupportofficeronsightthatday.’

‘Forworkingsowellwithatenantandatenantsfamilytocometoanagreedconsensusabouthowwewillsupportthetenantsindividualneedsgoingforward.Thiswasafterthefamilyhadbeenquitenegativeaboutthesupportservice.WelldoneJillforhelpingtomanageapotentiallydifficultsituation.‘

HereareaselectionofPicklesawardedinthelastmonthtostaffthathavegoneoverandabovetheirroles.Welldoneall!

AgoodtimewashadbyallthatwenttoseePhantominWalesMillenniumCentreonThursday13thDecember2012.

Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsforfuturetheatretripsorsocialevents,pleasecontactPhilippaDeaconon2140or01495 761140.

MHAhasadedicatedTwitterpagewheregeneralactivitycanbepromotedtotheoutsideworld.Thisisafantastictoolforpromotingsomeofthegoodworkyouaredoing,raisingtheprofileofprojectsunderwayandencouragingotherstointeractwithus.Sendusanemailwithyourlatestnewsandwewillgetthispostedout!

twittermessages@monmouthshirehousing.co.uk.

a group has been set up in outlook called ‘twitter messages’.

ByGavinPlumley-Recently,Ihadmytwosonschristened.TwoofmyfellowteammembersJamesBannisterandCraigFalconerwerethereandwerenamedgodfatherstomyyoungestsonCaleb.Thisisduetothefriendshipthatweallformedwhileworkingontheplannedmaintenanceteamtogether.TheyaregreatladsandIamproudthattheyacceptedmyoffer.

CongratulationstoBeckyHogginsandherFianceéOllyonthebirthoftheirseconddaughter‘ImogenGrace’whowasbornTuesday20thNovember2012weighingahealthy8lb13oz.

TobeinwithachanceofwinningsomeAustralianwine,pleaseguessSantaandhisElf.

Emailyouranswerstosarah.kersley@monmouthshirehousing.co.ukbyFriday 18th January 2013.

TheCommunityInvestmentTeamhaveanumberofinitiativesonthegoandareworkingcloselywithotherpartnerstohelpthoseinthecommunity:

deBt RelieF oRdeRsMattTaylor(Income&EnergyAdvisor)ishelpingwithgrantapplicationsforthosewhocannotaffordtopayoffdebts.Ifyouknowsomeonewhoisstruggling,contactMattbecausetherearerestrictionstoeligibility.

MHAareencouragingtenantstoopenCreditUnionChristmasSaveraccountsandwillgive£10tostartthemoff(foradultsand£5forchildren)

the independent Financial advocacy pRoJectispartoftheWalesSafeguardingOlderPeoplePartnership.Thisprojectprovidesimpartialsupporttovulnerableadultsover50.

constRuction youth tRustisaregisteredcharityhelpingyoungpeopletoaccesstraining,educationandemploymentopportunitiesintheconstructionindustry(particularlythosefromdisadvantagedbackgroundsincl.Youngoffenders,careleaversandlongtermunemployed).IfyouknowofanyonethatfitsthiscriteriaspeaktotheMoneywiseTeamformoreinformation.

MHA’sownMoneywiseteamareusingTenantInsightdatatotargettenantswhoneedusthemost.Forexample:

ThenewBedroomTaxwhichisbeingintroducedbytheGovernmentinApril2013—weknowwhoisbeingaffectedandaregivingsupportandadvicetopreparethemforwhatliesahead.Similarlywithotherbenefitcuts.

way into woRkisajointinitiativerunbyMHA,JobCentrePlusandMonmouthshireYouthService.Sofar,wehaveassisted20peopleintoemploymentandmanyhavehadvaluableworkexperienceinanumberofdifferentareasofthebusiness.

MHA’sBursarySchemeisavailabletothosewishingtostarttheirownbusinesses.Thegranthelpswithtraining,equipmentetc.RobyneSquirefromtheWork&SkillsWiseTeamcanhelpwithenquiries.

waRm home discount scheme offershelptoolderpeoplewithenergycosts.MattTaylorhasalreadymetwith28tenantsduringthelastyearandmanagedtosavethem£3,360collectively.

OurIncome&EnergyAdvisorsalsorunFuelClubs,theHolisticEnergyAdviceproject,managingmoneysessions,newtenantvisitsanddrop-insessionsaroundthecountyofferingfreeadvice

computeRs in the community schemeisgoingfromstrengthtostrengthwithover40computersnowoutonloan.

Theschemeallowspeopletolearnattheirownpaceinthecomfortoftheirhomesandtargetsthosewhodonothaveacomputerandwanttolearn.Tenantsneedtocomplete3basiccoursesandbewillingtostudyfurther.

Doyouknowanyonewhowouldbenefitfromthis?TherearelimitedresourcessopleaseputthemintouchwithRobyneSquireon01495 761007forfurtherinformation.

Employment & Self employment read about our success stories

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Fourth Edition - 2012

INSIDE: Find out which tenant from

Old Hereford Road, Sheltered

Scheme turned 100yrs old.

YOUR BENEFIT CHANGES

PLAY IN THE PARK SUMMER FUN

TPAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE TENANTS’ FORUM AGM

MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARDS

IVOR AND WALLACE

TENANTMATTERS:WINTER2012

WHATYOU SAID

WHAT WE DID

THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY

THE GUEST SPEAKER

STAFF AWARDS

ACHIEVER (MAP) AWARDS

SMT QUESTION TIME

CORPORATE PLANNING PROCESS

DISCUSSION WORKSHOPS

EBUZZ:STAFFCONFERENCE2012

YOUSAIDWEDID:2ndEDITIONMONEYMATTERS:4THEDITION

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