Ardenglen News · SPRING 2015 OFFICE INFO 355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141...

SPRING 2015

OFFICE INFO 355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141 634 8016 FAX: 0141 634 9016 E-MAIL: [email protected] A RECOGNISED CHARITY NO. SC032542 PROPERTY FACTOR REGISTRATION NO. PF000168

Ardenglen News

THE ONLY WAY IS UP – AND UP AND UP!

Ardenglen’s capacity building programme, “The Only Way Is Up,” has been running since October 2013. We are delighted to announce that a funding package has been awarded by a range of partners to enable an expanded version of the project to run for another year until the end of March 2016.

Once again, we are grateful to have secured Integrated Grant Funding of £10,504 to continue to deliver our existing IT and Literacy services. On top of this, we have been awarded a whopping £49,689 from the Scottish Government’s People & Communities Fund (PCF) to support a number of initiatives including our Good Grub, Sew Fabulous and Grow Your Own programmes. Finally we are delighted to have received funding from Asda totalling £1,333 to support our new upcycling “Sew Fabulous” project.

As you can see, “The Only Way Is Up” is a true Partnership and we would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and commitment of our learners as well as the help and support that all our fantastic partners provide. This strong partnership has delivered a number of successes which include:

• A total of 60 learners have participated in the programme

• 35 learners are currently attending each week

• 12 learners have gained full time employment

• 10 learners are networking with other agencies (including Jobs Business Glasgow and Skills Development Scotland)

• 21 learners now engage in volunteering opportunities

• 3 learners currently receive ESOL literacy support

• 4 learners have progressed to intermediate MS Word & Excel

• 20 learners have successfully completed their REHIS & Elementary Food & Hygiene certification with a further 6 currently engaged in the Good Grub course

• 8 learners are engaging in our Sew Fabulous programme (up-cycling sewing class)

• Our Grow Your Own (gardening) programme is currently engaging with 5 volunteers.

• Our REVIVE learning group is now 12 members strong.

• The CSCS testing programme continues to be popular.

Almost all learners report that by becoming involved they are making new friendships, improving their skills and growing in confidence. Many point to an enhanced sense of wellbeing and of feeling more integrated into the life of the community than ever before. Ardenglen is delighted by these findings, which support our mission

statement of “Investing In Our Community.”

However, don’t just take our word for it! News of the unique, participant-centred approach adopted by The Only Way Is Up has now been featured twice by BBC Reporting Scotland and the Big Plus is currently running the fantastic learning journey of one of our participants on its website. “The Only Way Is Up” is definitely on the up and up!

Funded by Asda Carrier Bag Community Grants administered

by Foundation Scotland

Integrated Grant Funding managed by South East Learning Partnership

REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Ardenglen is delighted to welcome One Parent Families Scotland and Homestart as new partners to The Only Way Is Up. Both organisations have objectives around support for families and their services compliment our existing partnership with the Jeely Piece Nursery.

One Parent Families Scotland aims to encourage and enable single and young parents and kinship carers across Scotland to make the most of the opportunities available to them, so they can flourish as happy, healthy and achieving families. One Parent Families Scotland provides a support package to ensure Lone Parents can achieve a decent standard of living, achieve their full potential and contribute to their

local community. They also operate a free, confidential helpline on 0808 801 0323 and provide childcare support during sessions.

Home-Start Glasgow South supports families with at least one child under the age of eight, living in the south side of Glasgow. They offer practical and emotional support which includes tenancy sustainment, English language classes, confidence building and positive parenting. They are holding free parent and toddler sessions called “Toddle In” where play and fun activities are on offer for parents and children to interact together (refreshments are provided).

So why not call Fiona at the office today on 0141-631-5041for more information on how your family can get involved in all the fun at the Maureen Cope Community Hall!

Our REVIVE Group has been busy building on their learning and developing new links with a range of partners. They have recently participated in two courses facilitated by the Workers Education Association Scotland (WEA) and Glasgow Science Centre (GSC).

WEA & GSC offer a wide range of adult education courses nationally. The “Healthy World” course saw our REVIVE members learning about the weather, climate change and energy use linked to everyday life. When this course ended, our REVIVE members were warmly welcomed back to take part in a four week Crime Scene Investigation course to learn about forensic science concepts and activities. They were given the opportunity to find out what it is really like to use CSI techniques to piece together and present the ‘facts’ of a crime in a court room setting. Their “verdict” – it was the best course yet!

REVIVE have managed to build such a positive relationship with WEA & GSC that they have now been invited to participate in a 10 week accredited pilot course called “Counting on a Greener Scotland”. On completion, REVIVE members will be awarded with 3 points at SCQF Level 4 by Napier University.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our REVIVE Group who will build on their learning from the

“Healthy World” course by getting involved in further environmental activities. To top it all off, they have been invited to the BBC Scotland studios to visit the Weather department to learn all about the reporting side of things – watch out Carol from BBC Breakfast!!

If you are interested in finding out more about REVIVE, call Fiona on 0141-631-5041.

REVIVE GANG ARE MUCH IN DEMAND!

THE ONLY WAY IS UP WELCOMES TWO NEW PARTNERS


As usual, Jackie and our Social Committee have been working flat out to arrange this year’s Tenants’ Events Programme. We would like to give you plenty of notice of events during the Spring/Summer season, so cast your eye over the list below and see what you fancy! • Our 5th annual Spring Fun Day kicks off

this year’s Events Programme in style! Why not join us at the Maureen Cope Community Hall for this free event on Saturday 11th April from 11am to enjoy some seasonal fun and games!

• Also on the 11th, TEEN Zone’s Bike Club members are “taking care” of the Cathkin Braes Bike trails as part of a national campaign – see P5 for more details.• Aged 11-18? Why not try your hand at all things media during our free Film Tech Workshop on Tuesday 15th April. See poster for more details.• Remember to visit our stall for free fun, games and giveaways at Castlemilk Family Day on Saturday 16th May from 11am to 3pm.• A summer trip has been arranged for our youngsters at primary school to “Farmers Den” at Mabies Farm Park in Dumfries on Friday

24th July. Remember all children must be accompanied by an adult.

• TEEN Zone’s trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach is planned for Friday 31st July. This event is free but participants must be part of TEEN Zone’s fundraising efforts - to find out more about how to get involved, please contact Fiona McGovern on 0141 631 5041.

• Our Younger at Heart (over 40s!) Bus Run to Portpatrick will be held on Friday 21st August.

Remember these events are very popular, so don’t hesitate to call in to the office to purchase your tickets today!

Just to let you know that our Christmas Hamper raffle raised a grand total of £154. Our delighted winners were:

• 1st place large hamper - John Nicol

• 2nd place large hamper - Kimberly Lee

• 3rd place medium hamper - Rose McLean

• 4th place small hamper - Jack Brier

A big “thank you” goes to Ardenglen’s staff for their donations. The money was donated to Glasgow City Mission which supports vulnerable adults and children in Glasgow by fighting against poverty and disadvantage.

Christmas Jumper Day Ardenglen staff certainly entered into the “Christmas Spirit” when they decided to support Save The Children’s “Christmas Jumper Day” on Friday 12th December. Here they are looking fabulous in their fine, festive threads! We were delighted to contribute £34 towards the national fundraising campaign. Could be the start of a whole new uniform trend....CHRISTMAS HAMPER

RAFFLE

REMEMBER, REMEMBER - DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!!


Following on from TEEN Zone’s fact finding trip to the Glentress Mountain Bike Centre last summer, members have now achieved their aim to develop a local mountain bike club.

Using sports diversionary funding awarded by the Linn Area Committee, TEEN Zone has secured the support of Ardenglen, Glasgow Life & CTC to establish a community based club which will provide cycling activities and sports leadership opportunities for young people living in our community. The funding will also provide appropriate outdoor clothing and safety equipment – so all you need to take part is access to a bike!

This development supports the local Community’s redevelopment vision for the St. Martin’s Church building; as regular readers will know, the Community hopes that this will become the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre, creating a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games mountain bike track.

The Club will not only provide easy access for

local young people to participate in the growing sport of mountain biking, but will also offer a range of other upskilling activities including trail and bike maintenance, training and coaching. Critically, the group will link with local secondary and primary schools which will make the club as inclusive as possible whilst providing pathways for involvement in this growing sport for the next generation of mountain bikers. By establishing the club, it is hoped that a sustainable community group can grow which will include riders of all ages and abilities.

The group has agreed its constitution which allows them to affiliate to Scottish Cycling and access competitive cycling events such as the Scottish Youth Championships. It is also intended that members will visit other established mountain bike facilities to see how they are managed, funded and maintained and feed this information into the planning and design process for the Activity Centre.

Jake Lovatt, Cycling Development Officer with Glasgow Life said, “We are very happy to support the proposed community initiative to redevelop

the former St. Martin’s Church and turn it into a purpose built mountain bike centre. However, in the meantime, there is a pressing need to maintain the momentum from the Commonwealth Games by supporting cycling activity in the local area. The formation of the new club in Castlemilk, with young people and volunteer coaches from the local area, fits ideally with our priority of producing a legacy from The Commonwealth Games.”

The Cathkin Braes Bike Association holds its committee meetings on the last Thursday of every month but members also meet fortnightly to progress their learning. The project is currently seeking to recruit another three young people to assist with the development of the group. It is envisaged that once the group is up and running, that a programme of cycling will be made available to our wider community of young people as part of TEEN Zone’s overall Sports Diversionary programme. Should you have an interest in cycling and are under 18 years of age, why not contact Fiona at Ardenglen on 0141 631 5041 for more details.

INTRODUCING THE “CATHKIN BRAES BIKE ASSOCIATION”


On 17th of December, Ardenglen was delighted to host the Ministerial announcement of successful applications for the Legacy 2014 Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund at the Maureen Cope Community Hall. Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, announced details of the award of more than £500,000 of grant funding to a range of organisations as part of the legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The money forms part of a £1 million partnership between the Scottish Government and The Robertson Trust. The fund is designed to support sport-related social enterprises, enabling them to become sustainable in the long term and help people to become more physically active and deliver wider community benefits. Maureen Cope MBE, Chair of Ardenglen, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have received £25,000 to investigate options around the ownership and operation of the former St Martin’s Church building. The money will be spent towards developing the business

case for the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre and with the process of rolling out meaningful community consultation.”

Jamie Hepburn said: “As a government we are absolutely determined to get Scotland more active, and to make sure we all maximise the benefits from the legacy of the best Commonwealth Games ever. Local community clubs and organisations like these can respond better to the needs of their local communities and help to reach these goals.”

Ardenglen would like to formally thank the Scottish Government, the Robertson Trust and Social Investment Scotland for their support of our application. It really was the icing on the cake, following Glasgow City Council’s wonderful pledge of £1million towards the project last Summer. 2015 promises to be a very exciting year for the project!

On Saturday 11th April, the Cathkin Braes mountain

biking community will come together to take part in the inaugural Scottish ‘Take Care of Your Trails’ Weekend. The Cathkin Braes event will take place from the Maureen Cope Community Hall and is being organised by the newly formed Cathkin Braes Bike Association. Charles Ball, Chair of the Bike Association says:

“We are really pleased to be supporting this nationwide campaign, offering the mountain biking community of Cathkin Braes the chance to put something back into the trails they enjoy so much. We hope

the day will leave volunteers feeling great next time they ride the trails!”

The “Take Care of Your Trails” campaign is being coordinated by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland. Graeme McLean from DMBiS says:

“Scotland has some of the best mountain biking trail provision in the world and those who spend time on these trails are keen to ensure that it stays that way!”

Everyone is welcome to join in! For more information on the Cathkin Braes event, please contact Fiona McGovern at Ardenglen on 0141-631-5041. You can also find out more by visiting www.dmbins.com/takecareofyourtrails.

...to the winner of last year’s mountain bike raffle. Pictured here is Barry McNeil picking up his bike from Cameron Duncan of Adams & Duncan Funeral Directors who, once again, so kindly sponsored the competition.

Congratulations

LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKERS JOIN FORCES TO “TAKE CARE OF TRAILS” ALL ACROSS SCOTLAND!!

Legacy 2014 Success!

HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

CATEGORY DESCRIPTION RESOLUTION TIMES

Cat A • Straight forward one off nuisance complaint 30 working days (includes monitoring period)

Cat B

• Escalated complaints (where further CAT A complaints have been received before resolution timescales have been reached)

• Repeat complaints where it is the 3rd complaint received within a 12 month period

• Complaints of a more serious nature

40 Working days (includes monitoring period)

Cat C• Complex cases involving a multi agency approach

• Escalated complaints from CAT B on Senior Officer Authority

110 working days (Includes monitoring period)

All complaints will continue to be taken seriously, investigated fully and actioned in line with our policy and procedures. If you have any comments or would like to discuss these changes in more detail we would like to hear from you. Please contact Suzanne Casey at the office or call 0141 631 5048. These changes will be implemented from the 1st April 2015.

The new look homeswapper website has now been launched. If you are interested in a home swap anywhere in the UK why not register by simply following these steps:

Log onto www.homeswapper.co.uk

Fill in your details to create a free account

Enter details of your current home (upload photos as you are more likely to get a response)

Enter details on the kind of home you would like – including where you want to live

Start searching for your new home

Anyone already on homeswapper should log on and check out some of the changes which include upgraded mapping, possible multi swaps involving more than two parties. The website is much more user friendly.

If you would like more information or assistance to register please contact Kerri or Suzanne at the office.

The DWP have announced the next phase of universal credit and have confirmed that from 8th June 2015 all new single claimants in the Glasgow area (only those eligible for jobseekers allowance) will be required to apply for universal credit. Those affected will receive a monthly payment which will include housing benefit and working tax credit (if applicable) - you will be responsible for paying rent directly to your landlord.

Below are a few tips on how you can get ready for these changes:

• Get budgeting help to make your money last for a whole month. Ardenglen could refer you to budgeting services, or speak to Paul Pearson our in

house Welfare Rights Officer or visit the following website www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

• Open a bank account for your Universal Credit to be paid into.

• Consider attending basic computer classes to learn how to use the internet as applications for universal credit need to be made online (Ardenglen offer classes regularly at the Maureen Cope Hall or visit your local library)

Ardenglen will continue to update you on the changes to benefits including universal credit in the coming months via future newsletters, website and our facebook page. If you would like further information please contact a member of the housing services team or your local job centre.

HOMESWAPPER – NEW IMPROVED WEBSITE

www.homeswapper.co.uk

UNIVERSAL CREDIT – UPDATE

ANTI SOCIAL COMPLAINTS – REVISED TIMESCALESArdenglen is reviewing our timescales and how we categorise our complaints.

At the moment, we open a complaint each and every time a report is made. This practice meant that in 2012 / 2013, for every 100 homes, we had a reported 21.3 cases of anti social behaviour

compared to a Scottish Average of just 8 cases.

The Scottish Housing Regulator requires us to open a case when a report or complaint is received. Subsequent complaints should not be treated as new cases if they are received before the original complaint has been resolved.

The new timescales will now introduce a complaint monitoring period which will allow for additional complaints to be received within the same case. The new timescales set out below will therefore help to reduce the number of complaints we receive:

HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

MAINTENANCE

TOP TIPBULK UPLIFT INFORMATIONYou’ve probably seen our estate caretakers (Land Engineering) out and about on the estate. We thought we would remind you of the bulk pull out procedure:

If you are in a main door property and you have bulk to dispose of, please contact Glasgow City Council – Bulk Uplift on 0141-287-9700 to arrange for an uplift.

However if you are in a common close, the procedure is slightly different. On our behalf, Land Engineering provide a bulk pull out service every Monday. Any bulk you may have must be put out in the back court bin area preferably during a weekend, ready for Land Engineering to safely transfer your items on a Monday to the collection point for uplift by Glasgow City Council.

Please try your best to ensure that your bulk is put out over a weekend ready for transfer on a Monday to the collection point as this will help to ensure the estate is kept tidy. Please note if you place your bulk items in the street on any day they will be returned to the back court area putting the area at greater risk of fire etc.

Welcome to our Maintenance Top Tip section!In this issue, we look at the common problem of condensation.

The water vapours that cause condensation are caused by:

• Breathing: Two sleeping adults produce 11⁄2 pints of moisture in 8 hours, which is absorbed as water vapour into the atmosphere.

• Cooking: Steam clouds can be seen near saucepans and kettles, and then seem to disappear. The clouds have been absorbed into the atmosphere. The cooker itself may be a source of water vapour; eg. an average gas cooker could produce approximately 11⁄2 pints of moisture per hour.

• Washing up: The vapour clouds given off by the hot water are rapidly absorbed into the atmosphere.

• Bathing, laundry, and wet outer clothing: These are often the major sources of water vapour in the home.

• Heaters: A flueless gas heater can produce up to 2⁄3 pint of moisture per hour. Paraffin heaters produce nine pints of moisture for every eight pints of fuel burned.

• Indoor Plants: A frequently unrecognized but nevertheless significant source of water vapour.

• New Property: The bricks, timber, concrete and other materials in an average 3-bedroomed house absorb about 1500 gallons of water during construction. Much of this is dissipated into the indoor atmosphere during the drying out period.

SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT CONDENSATION:• Provide natural ventilation through an opening section of the window,

or through a proprietary ventilating unit, or through an airbrick

• Where there is no open fire, or where existing flues have been blocked off (and cannot be unblocked), ensure that wall vents are fitted and kept clear.

• Open at least one window in each room for some part of the day to permit a change of air.

• Ensure ventilation of all rooms where gas or oil heaters are used.

• Fix hoods over cookers and other equipment producing steam, and ventilate them to the outside air.

• Ensure that bathrooms and kitchens are ventilated in accordance with National Standards.

• Draught proof internal doors

• In cold weather, keep some form of heating on permanently in the house.

• Fix radiators under windows to maintain the temperature of the inner glass at a reasonable level.

Noisy Neighbours Please ensure you report noise

complaints to Glasgow Community &

Safety Services between the hours of

5PM – 2.30AM

7 DAYS A WEEK, BY CALLING 287 6688

WHEN REPORTING A REPAIR PLEASE ADVISE THE CONTRACTOR THAT YOU ARE AN ARDENGLEN

HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANT

‘REPORT-A-REPAIR’ FREE PHONELINE 0300 303 8000

FOR ALL OTHER REPAIRS YOU SHOULD CALL CITY BUILDING ON:

0800 595 595(PRESS OPTION 2 FOR CITY BUILDING)TO REPORT ALL OTHER EMERGENCIES

The Jeely Piece centre will be hosting an Open Day for the public to get a glimpse of Fair Deal’s plans for an exciting new Community Garden.

Castlemilk based social enterprise Fair Deal, who support people with learning difficulties, have recently been awarded almost £250,000 from the Big Lottery. This money will be used to develop an interactive learning environment which encourages individuals to connect with nature whilst building their confidence and social skills. The garden will be part of Fair Deals award winning community project ‘Help Yourself Grow.’ Development of the new community garden at the Jeely Piece centre is a massive step forward not only for ‘Help Yourself Grow’ but for the support of vulnerable people in the community as a whole.

We want to hear the views of the community about what you think the garden should include and look like. The Open Day will be held on the 23rd of April between 12-2pm at the Jeely Piece Playzone. All welcome!

Remember, our Foodbank runs over three afternoons (Monday, Tuesday & Friday from 12.30pm – 2.30pm) and is available by REFERRAL only through Ardenglen, Castlemilk Law Centre and Castlemilk Social Work Department.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our partner, the South East Food Bank, for replenishing our Food Bank stock on a regular basis. Special thanks also go to the following for providing donations and support:

• Castlemilk Gardening Group

• Rail Operatives at Glasgow Queen Street

• those who have donated anonymously (you know who you are)

• our fantastic volunteers who are on hand each week to deliver the service.

Special thanks are given to Castlemilk’s very own Psychic, Mags Tierney, for her assistance in delivering another fantastic psychic fundraising event at the Maureen

Cope Community Hall on Friday 20th February 2015.

Mags is a volunteer member of the Castlemilk Relaxation Centre which,

working in partnership with our Social Committee, raised just under £800! Fantastic! Thanks are also given to all those who participated and contributed home baking.

Our Social Committee are delighted to have been awarded £1,106 to provide educational visits for the Parent & Toddler Group. Some of the funds will also be used to purchase additional educational play equipment.

TEEN Zone Youth Committee were also

smiling with the award of £4,232 which will enable them to develop our newly established Bike Club – the Cathkin Braes Bike Association.

Watch this space for news of developments, all thanks to Linn Area Committee!

Help Yourself Grow

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE CLOSED ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 12 NOON

FOR ALL CENTRAL HEATING & HOT WATER EMERGENCIES YOU SHOULD

CALL CITY TECHNICAL ON:

08445 796 493

TO REPORT GAS EMERGENCIES

ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

JOINT FUNDRAISER PROVES TO BE A HUGE HIT

Thank You Linn Area Committee......from Ardenglen’s Social Committee & TEEN Zone!

The Hanratty Family would like to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity when we lost our mum, Theresa Clark Hanratty, who sadly lost her battle with Cancer on 24th December 2014.

A word of thanksARDENGLEN COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARDWe would like to open up our

noticeboard to anyone in the community

who would like to say something publicly

- it could be an expression of “thanks,”

a simple announcement or news that

you would like to share. Just call or

pop in to the office and pass the details

on to Jackie (0141-631-5057); space

permitting, we will post your notice in the

next edition of our newsletter.

NOTICE BOARDFood Bank Service @ The Maureen Cope Community Hall

Ardenglen News · SPRING 2015 OFFICE INFO 355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141...

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Transcript of Ardenglen News · SPRING 2015 OFFICE INFO 355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141...