JRHT Residents Magazine Summer 2013

7/27/2019 JRHT Residents Magazine Summer 2013

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Services | Information | Features | Housing | Events | Community | ContactsServices | Information | Features | Housing | Events | Community | Contacts

Page | JRHT News | Summer 013

CONTENTSDerwenthorpe 3

News 4

John Kennedys care homeinquiry 5

Community round-up 6

Day in the life 7

Service and home improvements 8

A soldiers return 9

Tackling poverty today 9

Focus on New Earswick 10

Staff contacts 11

Park life 12

ROWNTREERAFTERSOur team of rowers the Rowntree

Rafters took to the River Ouse

again in July for the York Dragon

Boat Challenge.

The Rafters finished 30th out of 36

teams and have so far raised 885

for charities including CareCent.

The Rafters stayed afloat and did us

proud on a hot day against the likes

of the Army and York Rowing Club.

WELCOME TO JRHTNEWSJRHT News is your new magazine from the JosephRowntree Housing Trust, designed to keep you up to datewith what were doing and to tell other residents whatyoure doing in your community.

JRHT News replaces Trust News, which weve been sending to you for many years.When we asked what you thought of Trust News, you gave us some very helpfulfeedback. Weve kept the things you liked, and added some of the features youwanted to see:

You wanted us to keep including our staff contact details so we have.

You wanted to see more stories about our staff and what they do see our newDay in the life feature, for example.

You wanted stories and pictures from across our communities weve tried todo that but always need you to send us your news and photos.

You felt we could improve the layout , structure and the quality of the pictures.Your new magazine has a balance of short stories and longer features, all writtenin plain English.

Weve also looked at other housing associations magazines and have worked with communications professionals to makesure youre getting the best possible magazine, at no extra cost.

The next edition of JRHT News will be available to download or view at www.jrht.org.uk and will no longer be posted

to all residents, unless you specifically contact us to request this method. Copies will also be available to collect from

The Garth, Folk Hall, Plaxton Court, Hartfields and all our sheltered housing schemes. If we have your email address

on our records, we will send you an email confirming that the latest edition of JRHT News is available to download,

with the appropriate link included. If you want us to continue to send JRHT News by post, please contact us so we can

update our records.

Please email your stories and photos to [email protected]. We can also accept handwritten articles and printedphotos if you send them to us at the Garth in New Earswick.


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Services | Information | Features | Housing | Events | Community | Contacts

COST OF LIVINGUP BY 5 PER CENTA new Joseph Rowntree Foundationreport shows that the real cost of livinghas risen 25 per cent since 2008.

Five years ago, a single person could live on an income of

13,000. In 2013, this rose to 17,000.BBC Breakfast were interested in what you had to say aboutthis and the rising costs of living, so in June they came to filmand hear what our residents thought.

You can watch the video that includes comments fromNatasha, Jo, Kate and Amanda athttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23093927

Let us know what you think: tweet us @theJRHT or@dpotta or let us know via Facebook(search for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust).

You can find out more about the Minimum Income Standardhere: http://www.minimumincome.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

FREE COURSES INNEW EARSWICK

New Earswick Explore

Library is hosting

two five-week Family

Learning courses on

How Children Learn to

Read.

The courses, which

are free and include

free childcare, are on

Wednesday morningsfrom 9.30am 11.30am.

The first course is

from 25 September to

23 October, the second

runs from 6 November

to 4 December.

For more information,

phone or text Sheelagh

on 07976856250 or

email [email protected].

CUSTOMERPROFILING

Over the next six

months we will be

contacting you to

update the information

we hold for example

telephone numbers,

email addresses and

occupancy details.

This information is

essential to ensure

you are getting the

services you need in

the way you want them.

If you havent updated

your details recently

please contact us and

we can do this over the

phone.



COME TO OUR ANNUAL MEETINGDo you want to find out more about what we do and have yoursay on the services we provide?

Come along to our Annual

Meeting at Joseph Rowntree

School, New Earswick, on

Saturday 28 September for

your chance to:

ask our directors anyquestions you may haveabout our work andservices;

hear about the past yearand the future for JRHT;

enjoy a performancefrom the JosephRowntree School choir;

watch our new animationabout welfare changes;

find out about the workour resident groups areinvolved in.

The event, which will bechaired by Graham Millar,Chair of the JRHT Boardand a trustee of JRF/JRHT,

GAS SERVICING

Every 12 months, we arerequired by law to serviceany gas appliances ownedand installed by us in yourhome. When we have doneyour gas service, we mustissue you with a copy of thelatest safety check record.

We will contact you toarrange the service at least

six weeks before the monthwhen your certificateexpires. Please try to be athome when our engineercalls. If you cant keep yourappointment, please callus on 0800 5870211 toarrange a time that suits you.

It is really importantthat your annual checkis completed. If youconsistently refuse to let

the engineer in to completethe servicing you arebreaching your tenancyagreement and we wouldtake legal action.

starts with refreshments at10.00am, and includes lunchat 1.00pm.

To book your place, pleasecontact Michelle Atkins, tel.01904 615905 or [email protected]


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JOHNS MISSION

TO TACKLE CRISISIN UK CARE HOMESWhat do you think of care homes? Thats whatJohn Kennedy, our Director of Care Services,wants to find out in the next year.

John has launched hisown inquiry into the

UKs care homes. Hell

be visiting care homes

and talking to residents,

relatives, friends, care

staff, managers, cleaners

and volunteers, and using

social media to engage

with people.

Ever since I first worked

as a care assistant in the

mid-1980s, care homes

have been in some kind

of crisis or turmoil, says

John. The issues arethe same now as they

were 30 years ago. The

pressures, though, are

growing more and more

acute as our society ages.

I want to find out what

we can do about it. I want

to get under the skin of

care homes in the UK

and discover what people

really think, what has to

change, what is good

and why.

How you can contribute:on Johns Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/CareHomeInquiry;

on Twitter, by tweetingJohn at @JohnnyCosmos;

email john.kennedy@jrht.

org.uk;

by phone or letter atHartrigg Oaks.

Please dont name individuals

or care home providers onFacebook or Twitter. If youre

concerned about a specific

care issue, either speak toyour manager or contact

Cath Hollingsworth or Tracy

Rose at Hartrigg Oaks on

01904 750700.

This inquiry is personal,

adds John, because if Im

fortunate enough to live to a

good age I want to be cared

for in a nice place by valuedand compassionate people

people who treat me kindly

and have the time to care.


JRHT News | Summer 013 | Page 5


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COMMUNITYROUND-UPWITH SARAH CHARLTONRESIDENT INVOLVEMENT OFFICER

I am Sarah Charlton, your new Resident Involvement Officer.When I was interviewed for the role I went to Dower Courtand was asked to get involved in a residents coffee morning.I found this really interesting and great that residents wereso involved. My role is to be involved with all residents and toattend residents meetings so please get in touch if you would

like me to come and see you. My number is 01904 752927,email [email protected].

Coffee mornings

The next JRHT residentscoffee morning will be atDower Court off HeslingtonRoad, York where we willbe finding out about thearchaeological work there.The coffee morning inDecember will be held atNew Earswick Folk Hall.Well send you furtherdetails of both events in duecourse. Everyone is invited.

Scrutiny panel

The resident scrutiny panelmet on 8 July. The firstservice area they lookedat was applicants on theHousing Register refusingoffers of accommodation.The group were concernedabout the number of refusalsand the reasons applicantshad given.

The panel also interviewedmembers of staff, andwere joined by two peoplefrom the scrutiny panel atOrbit Housing Group. TheOrbit residents came alongto share information andexperience. The JRHT panelalso took the opportunity to

compare the refusals policiesof both organisations.

Danes Dyke, Scarborough

I went along with SallyHoughton, ServiceImprovement Manager, tothe coffee morning in Julyand it was good to meeteveryone and get feedback.The gardens at Danes Dyke,in Scarborough, are lookingsuperb the residents haveput a lot of time and effortinto making the flower bedslook amazing.

Court Green Close

Residents at Court GreenClose, Scarborough, havea new bench and are nowwaiting for their secondbench to arrive. The areais now in full bloom andthe residents are keen forfurther improvements in thecommunal gardens.

Victoria Geldof Community

Group

Theres lots going on atVictoria Geldof in York. Thecommunity group organiseda fun, successful cycle

security tagging afternoonwith the help of local police.The bird nestbox project wasa phenomenal success, aswas the bird box watch event 80 per cent of our nestboxes were used (not bad

for the first year) by birdsincluding Blue Tits, GreatTits and Sparrows.

This season the group isplanning a coach trip toWhitby Regatta, along withongoing projects BoggettsCorner nature area andkeep as you sow veg patch.

Theyre also lookingforward to their garden andscarecrow competition, witha Dr Who at 50 scarecrowtheme.

Hartfields garden party

Residents, family membersand visitors got togetherat Hartfields, in Hartlepool,to soak up the fantasticatmosphere in the atriumwhile listening to a brassband and enjoying a varietyof stalls and refreshments.All the money raised on theday will go to charity.

OPEN TO ALL

Red Lodge in NewEarswick held an openday in July, bringingresidents, families, friendsand the communitytogether for a day of fun

and food.

The weather on theday was probably thehottest we have had,said Dwayne McCue.We managed to raise300 which will go tothe residents funds. Wehave a coffee morning onthe last Friday of everymonth and everyone

is welcome we reallyare aiming to bring thecommunity of NewEarswick together, andthe wider community.


Sarah Charlton (right) withvisitors from Orbit Housing.


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What are your main

responsibilities?

Welcoming visitors tothe Garth, receiving rentpayments, booking repairsand handling the numerousqueries raised by residentsand other visitors.

What would you do during a

typical working day?

I advise on housing issuesand applications; and referresidents to the Money& Benefits Adviser orNeighbourhood ServicesOfficers. I also adviseon rent accounts andpayment methods eitherin person or on thetelephone.

I speak to people on ourhousing waiting lists andadvise them of the progressof their application.

I keep the reception areaneat and tidy and stockedwith up to date relevantliterature and information,maintain the mutualexchanges register andmanage the distribution

of keys for emptyproperties.

I handle many other taskstoo numerous to list!

What do you think are the

most important skills needed

to do your job?

Have good mannersand respect for others be non-judgemental. Beknowledgeable about theHousing and CommunityServices department andthe services we provide.

Has your role changed at all

since you started?

We are now a One StopService team so bothrepairs and housing queriesare dealt with here at TheGarth. This has meant I havehad to learn the responsiverepairs process and thecomputer system.

What do you enjoy most

about your job?

Dealing face to face withvisitors to The Garth andbeing able to help, evenif only in a small way, tosupport them.

What is most challenging

about your job?

Working with residents, I

need to be able to quicklyadapt and empathise withwhatever situation arisesand offer sound advicemyself or put them in touchwith other staff.

What do you like to do

outside of work?

Socialising, dog walking,and I keep honey bees (letshope we get some honeythis season). I do DIY andlike to be in my garden.

Whats your most

memorable moment working

at JRHT?

Too numerous to mention working with people isalways surprising, evenwhen you think youveheard it all!

PAWS FOR ACUPPA

Thank you to all residents more than 50 of you,

including some residentsfrom Hartfields inHartlepool who cameto the coffee morning atDerwenthorpe in June.

The morning had a verypositive atmosphereand everyone enjoyedhearing about JRHTsdifferent schemes andcommunities. Hearing

Dogs came along totalk about their charityand it was great to hearhow Sunny, the dog wesponsored, is getting on.Many residents wouldlike Hearing Dogs tovisit their schemes to doa talk. We hope to getother charities to comealong to future events.

Read more community

news on page 6.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

SUE HARRISONCUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISORSue is based at the Garth in New Earswick on themain reception desk, so is essentially the face ofour Housing and Community Services. She hasworked at JRHT since June 1997.

I handle many other taskstoo numerous to list


Left: Sue gets a buzz fromher hobby.

JRHT News | Summer 013 | Page


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RINGINGTHE CHANGESJRHT has a new telephone system,which will improve our service to youand save money.

The system makes it

easier to handle your

telephone query more

promptly and gives us

better information about

our customers and howwe are performing.

Whats different for you?

You will always hear awelcome message beforeyour call is connected tothe relevant person. Thismessage will simply tell youthat you have reached theJoseph Rowntree Housing

Trust and that calls aremonitored for quality andtraining purposes.

When you hear thismessage it does not meanall our lines are busy,so please wait until themessage has finished andchoose one of the threeoptions.

Why did we change the

system?

Our previous telephonesystem was very old andwas giving us a numberof problems. Last year wereviewed it and found anew system that met theneeds of our differentteams and departments.

As well as wanting toimprove our service, wewanted a system thatwould reduce costs.Although the new systemhas meant significantinvestment, we willsave on technical support,maintenance and linerental. This means thesystem will pay for itself inthe first five years and saveus money after that.

PROPERTYIMPROVEMENTS

This year, well be makingimprovements to kitchens,boilers, bathrooms andwindows in more than 300properties, thanks to theinformation we gained fromcondition surveys at the endof last year.

You can see the programmefor improvements in 2013 on

www.jrht.org.uk/help-and-resources/modernisation-and-improvement, wherethere is also a leaflet tellingyou what to expect.

Our staff will be workingwith contractors from ESHProperty Services, HerbertT Forrest and Keepmoat tomake these improvements.

Weve already started anumber of projects, includingpreliminary visits to homes atRowan Place for replacementbathrooms, and RowanAvenue for replacementwindows. We are continuingour Energy Enhancementprogramme to our solid wallhomes (replacing windowsand installing internal drylining).

If you are having any workcarried out to your home,we will contact you first byletter to tell you about thework, then again to let you

know when the work willcommence.

Painting

Our newly recruitedpainters (see page 10) andcontractors are painting alarge number of propertiesin New Earswick this yearand next.

So that we can decorateyour home, our joineryteam will need to carryout repairs to windowsand doors. If your homeis on the programme forthis year, we will contactyou by letter with moreinformation.

We have already started

working on a number ofareas within New Earswick,including Lime Tree Avenue,White Rose Grove andSycamore Place.

If you have any otherqueries about theimprovement plan orpainting programme, pleasecontact our CustomerServices Team on 0800

587 0211.We will also be postingupdates on Facebook pageswhere possible.

26%

15%24%

35%

REPAIRS: THE NUMBER OF JOBS

COMPLETED SINCE JANUARY IS 4,600

A BREAKDOWN OF HOW THEY WERE COMPLETEDBY PRIORITY.

EMERGENCY (24 HOURS) URGENT (7 DAYS) PLANNED ROUTINE (31 DAYS)




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The year was 1918 andthe war that would end all

wars had come to an end.My grandfather, JamesFlanagan, returned to hishome town of York andunlike many others of hisgeneration he returned to aguaranteed job back at theRowntree factory, wherehe had worked beforevolunteering to serve hiscountry. He returned ashadow of his former self

having inhaled mustard gasin the trenches, his lungswould never fully recover.

Sadly, in 1928, James wifeMargaret died prematurely,leaving behind two smalldaughters, Margaret agedeight and Mary agedsix. In an age before thewelfare state, the outlookfor the two small girlslooked bleak but becauseof the forward thinking ofRowntree management mygrandfather was able to takepart of his pension provision

A SOLDIERS RETURNBy Philip Creaser, Peripatetic Manager


and two years leave ofabsence. He was able to

keep the family togetherknowing the girls would be alittle more responsible whenhe returned to work.

In 1938, my grandfatherdied from the effects ofthe mustard gas, leavinghis daughters once againto face an uncertain futureas the Second World Warloomed, but the war was to

open up new opportunitiesfor women and bothvolunteered for war work.Margaret working on Halifaxbombers and Mary fusefilling underground at the

Rowntree factory. After thewar, both girls married and

had families and had longand fulfilled lives.

Today JRF is still at theforefront of social careand the effects of povertyon the family, and whilepoverty may be measureddifferently today theeffects on families aremuch the same. I willalways be grateful for the

philanthropy shown to mygrandfather, as without itlife may have turned outvery differently.

TACKLINGPOVERTYTODAY

Together, the Joseph

Rowntree Foundation(JRF) and JRHT wantto be an anti-povertyorganisation for thebenefit of our residentsand employees, and toreduce poverty acrossthe UK.

JRHTs aim is that nohouseholds should bein arrears and therefore

facing eviction becausethey do not have enoughmoney.

We recognise that notwo households are thesame and that we willneed to use a personalisedapproach to meet peoplesdiffering needs.

Working closely withresidents, we will do

what we can to preventhouseholds getting to thestage where eviction is theonly solution, but we willneed your help, time, co-operation and suggestionsto help us achieve this.If you would like to helpus to do this, pleasecontact Sally Houghton,tel. 01904 750700.

We will focus on:

increasing peoplesincome;improving their accessto well-paid jobs;reducing their costs;helping residents to findand manage affordablecredit if they need it.

(Above) Joseph Rowntree(centre, seated) presided

over a meeting of theBoard at the RowntreeFactory in 1916. (Far left)

Philips grandfather standingfurthest right, at the back

(Left) Philip Creaser.

JRHT News | Summer 013 | Page


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Children from Little Rowans nursery in New Earswick havebeen getting expert advice on what to plant in their garden.

Alistair Simpson from our landscape maintenance teamcame in to talk to the children and showed them pictures

of fruit, vegetables and flowers to help them choose.

They planted sweet peas, and have been enjoying theirlettuces and strawberries.

NEW EARSWICKCHILDRENS CENTREDo you have children under five? Ifso, these services from New EarswickChildrens Centre might help you.

City of York Councilis offering some two-year-olds free childcarefor up to 15 hours aweek. To apply or checkif you are eligible, pleasecall into thechildrens centre andpick up a form, or applyonline. Youll need a listof approved suppliers

from the FamilyInformation Servicefirst. Call them on01904 554444.

Jobs File: You cancome into the centreand browse throughtheir jobs file, whichis updated each weekwith the latest vacanciesfrom the Job Centre,

and fortnightly fromthe NHS, Monks Cross,McArthur Glen DesignerOutlet and City CentreOutlets. The receptionist,

Tracey, is available from08:3016:30 (MondayThursday) and 08:3016:00 (Friday) to helpwith any queries aboutapplying for jobs orhelping with CVs.

Warm Phone: Thecentres warm phoneenables you to speakto various services

in a confidentialenvironment, free ofcharge. Our staff areon hand and happy tohelp with any queries.You can access:NHS Direct, HousingBenefit Enquiries,Jobcentre Plus, workingtax credits, FamilyInformation Service,

Jobseekers Direct, NewDeal for Lone Parents,and Citizens Advice.

Our painters Robert Pallister (left) and Daniel Leaf

are part of the team of painters whove been brighteningup the lives of residents in New Earswick recently.Compliments on their work include I think that both mendeserve medals, they are really great with their work andvery polite and helpful.

HELPING CHILDRENGROW

From left to right: Children at Little Rowans tend to the lettuce, the nurserys sweet peas, and Alistair talks to the children aboutdifferent plants.



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JRHT News | Summer 013 | Page 11

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING

AND COMMUNITYSERVICES

Jacquie DaleTel: 01904 [email protected]

Stephen LynchTel: 01904 [email protected]

HOUSING AND

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Nick DennisonHousing Options ManagerTel: 01904 [email protected]

Fiona Godfrey-FaussettCommunity DevelopmentOfficerTel: 0800 [email protected]

Faye Blinkhorn-ConroyNeighbourhood ServicesOfficerTel 01904 [email protected]

Isobel McCoyNeighbourhood ServicesOfficerTel: 01904 [email protected]

Nadia RehmanNeighbourhood ServicesOfficerTel: 01904 [email protected]. uk

Donna SteadNeighbourhood ServicesAssistant(temp. maternity cover)Tel: 01904 [email protected]

Paul RoseMoney and Benefit Advisorfor York and DistrictTel: 01904 [email protected]

Dave Potter

Money and Benefit Advisorand Data Analyst

(both part-time)

Tel: 01904 735025

[email protected]

Sally Houghton

Service Improvement

Manager

Tel: 01904 735032

[email protected]

Sarah CharltonResident Involvement

Officer

Tel: 01904 752927

[email protected]

Sandra Marshall

Early Years Manager

Tel: 01904 750323

[email protected]

CUSTOMER SERVICEADVISORS

Advice and information

on housing, rent, services,

repairs and provisions

Tel: 0800 5870211

Debbie Pemberton

Customer Services Team

Leader

[email protected]

Beverley Atkinson

[email protected]

Fiona Crawford

[email protected]

Jackie Smith

[email protected]

Lynne Slater

[email protected]

Sheryll Muir

[email protected]

Sue Harrison

[email protected]

ADMIN TEAM

Susan Wheller

Office and Admin Assistant

Tel: 01904 735032

[email protected] Warters

Admin Assistant

Tel: 01904 735028

[email protected]

LANDSCAPE

Tom Hepburn

Team Leader

Tel: 07800 615125

[email protected]

Bob Williams

Team Leader

Tel: 07817 975939

[email protected]

HARTFIELDS

Tel: 01429 855070

Dale OwensNeighbourhood Manager

Hartfields

Tel: 01429 855072

[email protected]

Lynne Lee

Care and Support Manager

Hartfields

Tel: 01429 855078

[email protected]

Charlotte HopeNeighbourhood Services

Officer Hartfields

Tel: 01429 855083

[email protected]

Kim Andrews

Senior Receptionist

Hartfields

Tel: 01429 855070

[email protected]

Lynne DavisonAdmin. Officer

Hartfields

Tel: 01429 855080

[email protected]

JRHT CONTACTS


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Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust

The Garth

White Rose Avenue

New Earswick

York YO32 4TZ

www.jrht.org.uk

PARK LIFESummers blooming marvellous in the Homestead Park

More than 300 children

from York local schools and

nurseries came to enjoy a

Fun Day in the HomesteadPark, York, this summer.

Attractions in the park,

which is maintained by our

landscaping team, includeda miniature steam train,donkey rides, magician and

keep fit, and JRHT provided

plants for the children to

pot up and take home.

The park staff are waiting

to hear how they have got

on in this years Yorkshire

In Bloom competition,

following judging in July.

This summers bedding

plants have a South African

theme, said gardener

Jo Morris, so lots of reds

and oranges.

This September, the team

will be joined by two

horticultural students froma French college near

Chartres, west of Paris.

The Leonardo Foundation,which has organised theseplacements, provides

training for students who

struggle in the normalschool system or whohave deprived familybackgrounds. If you visitthe park and see Mickaland Evan, stop and have achat with them theyrehere to improve their

spoken English as well astheir gardening skills.

Children enjoying the funday at Homestead Park, and(bottom right) Mickal andEvan, the parks horticultural

students from France.

JRHT Residents Magazine Summer 2013

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Transcript of JRHT Residents Magazine Summer 2013