home & a way...home improvement number 3,000 parkway green tenants’ newsletter spring 2008...

insideGas cheque Rewarding you

Can you dig it?

PLUS: Get growing

“WORTH THE WAIT”Patricia Moores of Northenden enjoys home improvement number 3,000

Parkway Green Tenants’ Newsletter Spring 2008home & a way

3000Home improvements

and counting!

PAGE 2

www.parkwaygreen.co.uk

EASTER: OFFICES CLOSE 5.30pm, MARCH 20 TILL MARCH 25. EMERGENCY REPAIRS: (0161) 953 2608


PAGE 2 HOME & A WAY NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008

We’re really cracking on with the exciting £90 million programme that will eventually see all 6,000 Parkway Green homes enjoying the benefits of major improvements.

In just 16 months – by the end of February 2008 – we’d done 3,078 improvements including:

1,130 homes with new kitchens and bathrooms

1,756 tenants enjoying high quality PVCu windows and modern doors

134 flats now have new modern doors

46 flats have attractive enclosed balconies

12 walk-up flats in two blocks with upgraded communal areas.

£17 million of home improvements done, and we’ve only just begun!

Ahead ofthe gameGood news! In some areas we’re working even faster than planned.

When we sent out the green booklet“How we are improving homes” last year, tenants in Spinney Woods were scheduled to get their new windows and doors between April 2008 and March 2009.

Knock-on bonusBut, as delighted tenants have recently discovered, work started four weeks early in January. Now, every Spinney Woods tenant will have their new door by July. There’s a knock-on benefit for everyone – we can start many upcoming improvements earlier too. We’ll contact you with the good news if you can expect some work ahead of plan.

Clutter-free streetsPortacabins and builders’ compounds on greens and street corners are the down-side of big improvement projects like the ones we’ve got on the go. But we want to keep your streets as clear of this kind of clutter as possible.

So we’re now using an off-street industrial unit to store the bulky kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows away from your streets before we install them. Not only does this make the area less of an eyesore, it’s speeding the work up as well!

Mrs Moores of Northenden is joined by her MP Paul Goggins

to celebrate the 3,000th improvement we’ve done so far.

Our partners HT Forrest were in and out of her home in just 16

working days.

Early doors! Upgrades

have arrived early for

some.



You said, we did!When we’ve f inished any work on your home we’ll give you a short satisfaction form to tell us what you thought of the work and the workers.

Your feedback shows us where things are going well and if there’s any room for improvement. The forms tell us that 96% are satisfied with our work. But when you bring something to our attention, we look at how to improve. For example:

• We now fit tiled floors in kitchens instead of the smooth ‘sheet-finish’ floors which have unsightly joints that some tenants didn’t like.

• Thanks to tenants’ comments we’re putting modern canopies over new front doors instead of leaving the old flat concrete or wood ones in place. If we’ve already done your front door, we’ll be back to fit your new canopy. And for some 1970s homes without canopies, we’ll fit one. All this is over and above our improvement promise.

• Starting in April next year, we’ll be round to clean and paint gutters and nearby woodwork, and to do any masonry painting that’s needed following window and door replacement and woodwork.

• We’ll be upgrading communal areas in more 3-storey walk-up blocks.

• You now have a wider choice of back doors to choose from.

• A new website page gives you up-to-date monthly progress so you can see exactly how – and what kind of – improve ments we’ve made, where we are doing the work and when we’re going to start new schemes. See the new pages at www.parkwaygreen.co.uk

All these changes are tenants’ ideas – you can really make a difference – so please keep them coming. We’ll use your comments to shape future improvements.

Some more satisf ied customers:Our building partner Connaught was very popular in Newall Green when they installed new kitchens and bathrooms in these tenants’ homes.

But when you tell us

something’s wrong, we’ll

do our best to

change it .

“I was not happy about them entering my home, but

when they did, Pete [the site manager] and Claire

[the Liaison Officer] and their team were excellent.”

Sarah Mayers, Colshaw Rd.

“I would like to compliment all for the dedicated way

they went about their duties. The finished product is

brilliant. All in all, a thoroughly top class job.”

Mr.O,Donnell, Firbank Road.

“I would like to thank all the people involved. Everyone

has been efficient, kind and courteous. In particular,

Peter Baker, and Claire Roberts who as well as being

consumate professionals, have been most kind and

helpful at all times.”

Mr.Morris, Beckfield Rd.

96%satisfied

AFTER

BEFORE

YOU SAID:“The old-style porches

are spoiling our new doors.”

WE SAID:“You’re right.

We’ll fit new ones.”



We’re openlonger to suit you betterOur local of f ices are now open longer.

See us in person at 460 Palatine Road, Northenden; or 137 Bowland Road, Baguley on:

• Monday 8:30am to 5:30pm

• Tuesday 8:30am to 5:30pm

• Wednesday 8:30am to 2pm

• Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm (appointments until 6:30pm)

• Friday 8:30am to 4pm

Our phone lines (0161) 953 2608 are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday; and 24 hours for emergencies.

Finding out the hard way that . . .GAS service checks are NOT optional

We’re about to give eight tenants legal Notice to Quit. Bailiffs will be calling to evict them unless they let us in to do this year’s gas service checks.

Evicted!A tenant in Baguley has already been evicted from their home for refusing to let us in.

Two more tenants now face the same prospect after they missed the deadline to let us in by the end of January.

WARNING!It costs tenants about £750 in court costs if we take them to court for refusing to let us in to do your gas safety check. Ignoring a court order to pay could mean a prison sentence.

Don’t let this happen to you! Let us in first time for this simple, 45-minute check-up. Our gas-servicing partners Sure Maintenance all carry identity cards telling you how to check that callers are genuine. Don’t let anyone in without one.

Got a gas card meter?If you have a gas card meter please make sure that it’s topped up when we call to do your gas safety check.

Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning or from f ire or explosions in the home. Protect yourself, your family, your neighbours and visitors and let our contractors do the service at the f irst appointment.

GAS SERVICING PRIZE DRAWGas cheques for gas checks

“The man came on time, inspected the boiler and radiators and was only here probably 20 minutes. It was no problem at all,” says prize winner Mr Leyland (right) of Northern Moor. He’s the latest winner of the regular prize draw we hold for all tenants who let us in first time to do their gas safety check. Mr Leyland got his cheque from Parkway Green’s Stuart Shaw.



Used our website yet?Now that our website is of f icially one of the easiest to use on the internet, we’re determined to help EVERY tenant, young and old, to get the extra help and services it offers.

Some websites are just so unfriendly and hard to fathom that only whizkids can use them. But we’ve made sure that NOBODY needs to miss the benefits of using the Parkway Green website because of a visual impairment or another disability, or because they’re older, not a strong reader, or because they have a slow internet connection or lack the latest software.

You can even listen to the pages instead of reading them – especially useful for people who find it difficult to read on-screen. And you can make the writing bigger or smaller to suit your eyesight.

No computer? No internet at home? No problem! There’s a free internet computer waiting for you at any Manchester library. Friendly staff willl point you in the right direction and tell you how to get more help if you need it.

If it is, we’ll be there within three hours. And even if we say the job does not count as an emergency, it should still usually be done within three days, and often within one day. The number to call is (0161) 953 2608, any time, day or night. See the back page for a full list of what counts as an emergency repair.

Got an EMERGENCY? We’ll be there!As the tenant of a not-for-profit landlord like Parkway Green, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can call on professionals to help you deal with emergencies, 24 hours a day. And, for our tenants, the cost is all in with the rent! That’s got to be good news when others face callout charges of £60 and more – before the problem is even fixed!

What is an emergency?To count as an emergency repair the problem must be a very urgent threat to your health, safety or security.

GOT AN IMMERSION HEATER?

Hot tips: know the dangersignals to stay safe.

A recent inquest showed that the terrible death of a child in Somerset was caused by an immersion heater fault.

A faulty thermostat caused the water temperature to increase so much that hot water went into the cold water storage tank and caused it to burst.

The storage tank was in the loft, and was not adequately supported.

The incident has raised understandable concerns for millions of householders across the country.

Follows these tips to stay safe. The signs of a possible problem are:

• an unexpected rise in the temperature of your hot water

• warm water coming out of your cold water taps

• unusual noises from your heating system including rumbling, banging, or bubbling

If any of these things happen, turn off the immersion heater immediately; the switch is near the hot water cylinder cupboard. Then report the fault to us: phone (0161) 953 2608.

R This special treble-A logo is the top mark a website

can get after rigorous tests for accessibility. And we’ve got one on every web page!

Child’s play: an accessible web page doesn’t exclude anyone.

Check out this new page

Testers wantedNon-expert website users wanted to help us improve even further. Only takes one hour. Call (0161) 946 6404



YOU could be just six easy questions away from your bargain-bagging Parkway Green tenant reward discount card.

You’ll get money off in thousands of big-name shops throughout the UK and at a growing number of local shops, leisure outlets and services too. This reward card is worth having. And it’s FREE!

All you have to do is show that you’ve been keeping on top of the rent ANDanswer YES to these Parkway Green good neighbour questions:

1 Have you been a Parkway Green tenant for 12 months or more?

2 Has your rent account been clear (or shown no more than four weeks’ arrears) for the last year?

3 Have you let us in to do your annual gas check and service?

green card for good

payers!

4 Are you one of the vast majority of tenants who is NOT breaking your tenancy agreement and who we’re NOT taking to court to repossess your home or for unpaid rent?

5 Have you signed your Parkway Green tenancy agreement? [if you’re not sure, or to arrange a signing, simply call (0161) 953 2608

6 Are you one of the law-abiding majority who’s not in trouble with Parkway Green or any of our partners for antisocial behaviour?

If you can answer yes to all six questions, congratulations! We’d like to give you a Green Card! There’s a choice of ways to claim your reward:

Phone (0161) 946 6340

Click ‘Claim your reward card’ on our website www.parkwaygreen.co.uk

Email: [email protected] with your name and address

Write to us at Parkway Green House – address on the back page

Have you got your FREE Green Card yet?

To claim your FREE Green Card, phone, go to our website, email or write to us.

We can work it out!CAN’T get your Reward Card yet because you’re behind with the rent? Don’t miss out. Now’s the time to sort it out. Here are some people who can help.

Parkway Green’s own debt advisor Dot Smith is on hand. Call (0161) 953 2608.

Manchester Debt Advice ServiceThe debt advice service offers free advice and appointments for help with managing debt problems. Call (0161) 234 5678 any weekday 10am – 4pm for advice by telephone or to book an appointment for more complex problems.

Citizens Advice Bureau, WythenshaweAdvice and information on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer problems, problems with utility companies, education, family law and other legal problems:

Monday: Cedars Centre

Tuesday: Benchill Community Centre

Wednesday: Forum Library

Thursday: Cedars Centre

Friday: Cedars Centre

Revenues & Benefit Unit Manchester City Council Advice Surgery

Wednesday: 10am - 4.30pmFriday: 10am - 3pm

Please either phone (0161) 234 3695 to book an appointment or email your appointment request. Customer Services,Level 1, Town Hall Extension, Manchester M60 2JR

Phone: (0161) 234 3695Email: [email protected]


Proven to help....The ‘Stepping Stones into work’ project was launched in Manchester in 2004. Since then it has helped over 2,250 people back into work.

People like these . . .ScottScott had been unable to work for nine years because of depression. When he felt well enough to return to work, he wasn’t sure where to start. But he teamed up with Andrew, a Stepping Stones adviser, to produce an up-to-date CV that highlighted all his skills and experience.

Because Scott hadn’t worked for a while, Andrew organised a two-day ‘GOALS’ course. Scott was surprised how much he enjoyed learning and joining in the group activities about how people achieve success.

With Andrew’s help Scott looked for jobs, and got an interview for the position of cashier at an Esso garage. Scott and his CV impressed the manager so much that he was immediately offered the post.

Scott enjoys his new job very much. “The GOALS course helped to improve my confidence” he says. “I’d really recommend it to others who lack confidence or motivation after a long period of not working.”

Have you been unable to work because of illness, disability or raising children?

Do you feel you lack the skills to get on in the modern workplace? Are you worried about how getting a job could affect your benefits?

We’ve teamed up with Stepping Stones, a voluntary project that’s helped thousands of people get back into work.

“The GOALS course helped to improve my confidence and I’d really recommend it to others who lack confidence or motivation after a long period of not working.”

Friendly chatTheir experts can:

• give you confidential personal advice, in a professional but informal setting

• advise you about financial support to help you back into work and training

• arrange lots of free training opportunities, and organise a taster session if you think you’re not ready for formal training

• help with application forms, CVs, interview tips, and other skills

• give you fast-track access to New Deal for disabled people

• help you deal with potential employers, debt advisers, housing staff and others

• advise you about getting childcare

• show you how to claim financial incentives and grants when you return to work

Drop in for a friendly chat with Stepping Stones advisers at Parkway Green House, 460 Palatine Road, Northenden every Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 4.30pm. Or phone Rob on 07891 682663.

At your service: Scott is really enjoying his job – thanks to Stepping Stones

You can get expert

help with application forms, CVs,

interviewtips, and

other skills


Does it work? Well, it did for these two!

Denise Unable to work because of her disabilities, Denise had been on benefits since 1985. She had almost given up hope of ever working again.

In 2007 she felt ready to look for workagain, and started seeing Andrew from Stepping Stones at least once a week at Wythenshawe Forum. He helped her search for jobs and fill in application forms.

Denise started to get job interviews, and when KeepKleen advertised a cleaning vacancy at Wythenshawe Forum, Andrew arranged an interview for her. She was offered a trial period working 12 hours a week.

After a month Denise wanted to increase her weekly hours to 16. This meant she stopped claiming incapacity benefits. But Andrew helped sort out her Disability Living Allowance, Working Tax Credit anda £40 a week return-to-work credit.

Denise has been with Keep-

Kleen for five months now.

“I love my job and am

extremely grateful for the

help I got from Andrew and

Stepping Stones,” she says.



Learning Mentor at Newall Green High School, Barney Madden says the students will work the allotments through the seasons and all the produce will be grown organically.

“It’s important that young people know how food is grown,” he says. “This project is a great opportunity to grow things from seed and to be able to eat the end product. It all fits in with bringing back the art of preparing your own food and thinking about what you eat as part of a healthy life. It would have been very difficult to get the allotments up and running without the help of Parkway Green and its partners. We are really grateful for all the help.”

Growing painsThe pupils are joining a long-established handful of allotment regulars who’ve been gardening here, just yards from Southmoor Road and the Stockport-Altrincham railway line, for seventeen years and more.

Bob (not his real name – he’s not one for publicity and insists he’s no allotment expert) is one of them. Bob’s down here this cold February morning to spenda couple of hours spreading a pile of manure across his patch!

Parkway Green and our building partners are mucking in with pupils at Newall Green High School to bring overgrown allotment patches back to life as organic vegetable plots.

That’s why he’s gently amused by the school’s project. “It’s a great idea,” he says. “I hope they’re ready for the hard work. Most people give up when they realise how hard. I’ve seen people who’ve tried this for two hours and then quit for good. Never saw them again! Honestly, it is very hard work.”

Jacqui Watkinson, another Newall Green High School mentor says, “We’ll be looking at the biology of growing things, so what we’re doing here ties in well with the science side of our curriculum too. And we’ll be building raised beds which makes sure that nobody is excluded because of mobility problems”.

“This project

is a great oppor-

tunity to grow

things from seed

and to be able

to eat the end

product.”

It would have been very difficult to get the allotments up and running without the help of Parkway Green and its partners. We are really grateful for all the help.”



Old handsRegulars here say that interest in the allotments is picking up. “We’ve done well the last two years,” says Bob. “We’ve only got seven empty allotments now.”

Right now, many plots have lots of healthy-looking winter garlic – see photo.

“Winter garlic came to the allotments about 17 years ago,” Bob tells us. “A Belgian bloke started it and shared out the cloves – lots of us grow it now.”

Despite his modesty, Bob clearly knows his onions. His plot has an apple tree, blackcurrants, gooseberries (52lbs last year!), blackberries, redcurrants, strawberries and rhubarb. And in the greenhouse, grapes! Black Hamburg grapes giving bunches of decent fruit each year. And tomatoes – sungold variety – “the sweetest tomatoes you could imagine,” for Bob’s money anyway.

As for veg – well, the growing plan is pinned up on the shed wall – around 18 crops: corn, cabbage, courgettes, caulis,

peas, beetroot, cucumber, leek, brocolli, radish, cos lettuce ... to name a few.

Bob grows all kinds of flowers too. Last year, too many to handle – he only ‘pricked out’ 170 dozen of the hundreds of bedding plants he grew from seed!

“You won’t always do well – every year something will go badly. I’ll grow something well one year, but next year, no good,” he admits.

Bob claims he’s no expert at the allotment. “It’s just a hobby for me, he insists. There are some REAL growers on here, I just enjoy it.”

But, if they do need experienced advice, Newall Green High School’s ‘seedlings’ won’t find a safer pair of green-fingered hands than his.

Bob claims

he’s no expert.

“It’s just a hobby for

me, he insists. There are

some REAL

growers on here,

I just enjoy it.”

Older hands have their own

MySpace

Right now, many plots have lots of healthy-looking winter garlic.

They start VERY young at Leaton Avenue allotments. “One lady brings her grandchild” Bob tells us.



With respect for YOUR prioritiesParkway Green – and all our partners in the agencies working to make your neighbourhoods safer, cleaner and more pleasant to live in – came together for January’s week-long blitz of action and debate – the latest respect action week.

Parkway Green hosts these local events – this time in Baguley – which are becoming a regular part of the Parkway Green calendar.

Every day, teams of police and fire officers, youth and education workers, health and environment staff joined local housing staff all determined to make an impact that residents could see and appreciate.

Enthusiastic door-knockers made sure we knew what needed doing by asking local people how we could make a difference. Car crime, antisocial behaviour, alcohol misuse, assault and criminal damage were all-too-familiar topics for action and forward-planning.

The week ended with a Fun Day at Sacred Heart School on Floatshall Road, featuring an off-road bike-crushing event! It was attended by over 500 people who enjoyed 20 stalls from various agencies as well as displays and a badge-making workshop.

Parkway Green’s Chief Executive Nigel Wilson said: ”This was an example of partnership working at its best. All groups serving the community came together to achieve the best possible result for the residents of Baguley.”

Look out for the next Respect Action Week in your area. Call (0161) 499 7778 to get involved.

Parkway Green’s

Chief Executive

Nigel Wilson said:

”This was an

example of partnership working at

its best.”

Club spokesperson Sandra McNicholls says, “A big thankyou to Parkway Green for the £1000 sponsorship of our girls’ teams. The players were really pleased with their new kit and they all look very smart now. The sponsorship has really helped us”.

Laura and Eddie, Parkway Green

Environment Officers are happy to get their

hands dirty.

Wythenshawe Town Girls Junior FC – under-14s teams and under-10s.S

Parkway Green is much more than a landlord! We’re a force for good in the community too. When these girls were in need of a sponsor to fund their football kits we were happy to lend our support.



If the green-f ingered students of Newall Green High School have inspired you, it’s time you started thinking about entering this year’s garden contest. There are dozens of cash prizes. And you don’t even need a garden! There’s a category for eveyone – best container or window box, patio or balcony – or a garden you maintain for a relative or a shared communal area you have adopted, or something you’re involved in at school.

With details of how to enter in the next edition, now’s the time to get your green thinking-cap on.

Don’t just sit there!

Get growing

There are dozens of cash prizes. And you don’t even need a garden! There’s a category for eveyoneMrs Donnely was

runner up, ‘best garden’ last year.

Mr Simons of Brooklands was runner-up in his category.

Royal Oak community centre is a small, modest building. But for 70 years the people who run it have had big, brave ideas – and many successes. Now they want YOUR ideas for the future.

The group’s approach is summed up by the mix of traditional and modern that greets you at their entrance. Posters advertise a mix of educational and recreational activities, dance classes, youth clubs and a mums & toddlers group – all displayed below a unique ten-foot steel archway featuring faces inspired by local people who use this 70-year–old community facility.

Blue sky thinking The homes around the centre have never looked better thanks to the Parkway Green home improvements, and Gina Hall, secretary of Royal Oak & Baguley Residents Association, who run the centre says, “The centre has to updateitself too. We want to make sure we secure the funding we need to provide the community with the support and services they really want.”

The sculpture was designed by senior youth

club members seven or eight years ago.

Community Centre means business!

So they’ve invited a team of international students from Manchester Business School to help them plan for the future and raise funds to improve their facilities. The key focus of the project in Royal Oak is to find out how the centre can best support local people and then develop a plan that delivers the services needed.

And you can help! By telling the team what you want to see happening at this – or your local – community centres, you can make sure that facilities you need are around in future.

PAnswer the simple questions

(right) and hand in or post your response to Royal Oak Community Centre at Royal Oak Road, Baguley, M23 1EF.

Or just come along anyway to find out more about the

services and activities. You’ll be most welcome.

“We wantto make sure we

secure the funding we

need to provide the community

with thesupport &

services they really

want.”

Your age:

Under 18 18-25 26-39

40-59 Over 60

Gender:

Male Female

I would be interested in the following activities at the centre (tick as many as you like!)

Youth clubs Youth clubs (weekend) (after school)

Senior citizen Fitness classes

Dance classes Employment training

Computer Snooker classes

Boxing club Cookery classes

Bingo

Other (please say what)………………………………………………….…………………………………………

………………………………………………….…………………………………………

The best way to tell me about new activities at the Centre would be by:

Newsletter Local paper

Posters in shop Flyers through letter box

Other (please specify)………………………………………………….…………………………………………

………………………………………………….…………………………………………

#Cut along dotted line



In business with Manchester Business School

HOME & A WAY NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008



Newall Green High School pupils have become recycling and energy-saving champions after we took them along to Manchester’s new ECO HOUSE to f ind out more about what global warming and greenhouse gases are doing to our planet.

Year 8 student, Holly Brady said: “It was great at the ECO House. My mum has now bought a remote control which turns all the plugs off.”

Pupil Dylan Muton said:“We already use energy-saving light bulbs, but I asked my mum tof ill the kettle with only the amount of water we needed.”

Another student, Alex Morton said: “My brother and I now turn our playstation off and don’t leave it on standby.”

This was no ordinary lesson. In this real house, in a real street, the pupils could test and see for themselves how different ways of saving energy, generating power and protecting the environment can really work in ordinary homes.

SO WHAT DID WE LEARN?The BAD NEWS . . .Emissions across Greater Manchester are currently over 19 million tonnes a year. To avoid climate change reaching catastrophic levels, those emissions need to be cut by as much as 6 million tonnes by 2020.

The GOOD NEWS . . .Household waste recycling in Manchester – mainly from kerbside collections and recycling points – has risen from three per cent to more than 20 per cent in the past three years.

The FUTURE . . .You’d be amazed at how making little changes really adds up to make a big difference, and all those little changes are vital to making our Manchester cleaner and greener.

Pupils got into the science of how reducing the carbon going into the air could help our planet recover. They learnt how recycling waste, using solar and wind power and cutting our electric and gas consumption will lessen that harmful carbon.

“Coming face to face with insulation measures, efficient heating systems, low energy appliances, renewable energy systems, garden composting, recycling and water saving devices really helped to drum home to these pupils that THEY can make a difference in their own homes,” said Parkway Green’s trip organiser Brian Gates.

You’re welcome to visit the ECO HOUSE at 26-28 Penzance St, Miles Platting. To book a visit call Diana Clayton on (0161) 242 5823.

brings the ECO-message HOME

Community events on Parkway Green estates that help put the bright and beautiful back into our streets and green spaces need your support during this year’s 100 Days Challenge Manchester.

Visit www.challengemanchester.gov.uk for more details.

Look out for the next Respect

Action Week in your area.

Call (0161) 499 7778 to

get involved.

Pupil Dylan Muton said:“We already

use energy saving light

bulbs, but I asked my mum to f ill

the kettle with only the

amount of water we needed.”

Serious talk.Pupils took the message home.

WIN £500

TENANT & RESIDENT GROUPSBaguley North T & RA. Grant Higginson, 2 Leaton Avenue, Baguley M23 1HLT: 07950 759 209

Brooklands Estate T & RA. Pat Higson c/o 32f Gateacre Wk, Brooklands M23 9BAT: (0161) 945 5446

Shenton TA. Marjorie Carr, 39 Tunshill Rd, Brooklands M23 9QBT: (0161) 998 8373

Rackhouse & Northern Moor T & RA. Bernard Caine, 28 Lindwall Cl, Northern Moor M23 0EF T: (0161) 902 9221

Royle Green TA. Steve Thompson, 22 West View Court, Northenden M22 4LQT: (0161) 945 7601

Royal Oak Community Action Group. Gina Hall, 11 Kinsey Ave, Royal Oak M23 1DXT: (0161) 374 6511

Bideford RA. Vincent Twyford, 44 Moorcot Ct, Bideford Dr M23 0QWT: (0161) 945 8700

Newall Green T & RA. Wyn Casey, 3 Morven Drive, Newall Green M23 1FS T: (0161) 998 4970



There’s a £500 prize draw being run by the team that recycle Manchester’s waste. Help to shape the future of the service by taking part in their consultation. Share your ideas on what services they can offer to make recycling standard practice for all Mancunians. All entries are automatically entered into a £500 draw! Just click on www.manchester.gov.uk and follow the recyling survey link.

Northenden’s rubbish was in the headlines when Council leader Sir Richard Leese came to Longley Lane waste disposal site in February to launch the consultation below.

click on www.manchester.gov.uk and follow therecyling survey link.

Bideford Drive CLEAN UPSaturday, March 22, 2008

Volunteers are invited to come and help with a litter pick and clear-up of the stream at Bideford Drive, Baguley.

Details from [email protected]

or call (0161) 954 9005

Share your ideas on

how all of us could

betterrecycle

our waste

Ph

oto

by Ed

Sw

ind

en

We put residents at the heart of everything we do. When tenants chose Parkway Green to take over and improve their homes it was because we matched up to their idea of what a good landlord is.

We want to keep and develop that sense that we’re your ideal landlord. Our ‘resident involvement strategy’ means you can have an informed view of Parkway Green’s services, be involved in planning and improving them, and help monitor how we’re performing, identify problems and make improvements.

Tenants & Residents CommitteeAll eight local tenant and resident groups on our estates send a representative to this committtee. It formally presents its ideas, suggestions and comments to the board that runs Parkway Green where it has strong influence to change things and get things done.

The Parkway Green BoardThis powerful 15-strong group officially runs Parkway Green. It creates our policies and directs and monitors the work of our staff. It has overall

legal responsibility for making sure that we operate as we should, with proper financial and legal practices. Five of this group are tenants sharing equal decision-making power with the independent- and council-nominated board members.

Leaseholders Task GroupThese Parkway Green residents have bought their flats, but still pay a service charge, so have a say in how we do things. The six members are producing a handbook for leaseholders and are looking to do a regular newsletter. One of them sits on the Tenants & Residents Committee.

Grounds Maintenance GroupMeeting every two months, this group of residents talk over any problems with the staff who look after the greens and open spaces on our estates.

Valuing Older People We arranged five activity sessions to promote and enhance well-being for older people in the Parkway Green community including tai-chi, ballroom and sequence dancing, pedicures, yoga and computer skills.

Estate WalkaboutsSenior directors and tenant group reps get out onto the streets every month to see for themselves how well we’re looking after the environment, to spot any problems and meet local people. Everyone is welcome to join in.

WYTH-IT Youth AcadamyOver several weeks this winter, 18 young residents joined us and our key partners in the police, fire service, youth and education services.They took part in a variety of diverting activities including first aid, bricklaying and some exciting visits to airport disaster training centre, car crash investigations and the hit TV series ‘Shameless’.

Residents PanelMeeting every three months, this group works on single issues. This is useful if you don’t have the time to join your tenants’ group, but still want to be involved.

Annual Tenants ConferenceOur first, in October looked at our task of regenerating West Wythenshawe. See you at next year’s event!


MORE TO COME:Upcoming new ways to get involved include:

Youth forum where young people discuss things that affect them such as the improvements we’re making to homes and estates, our work to give young people alternatives to hanging around outside, antisocial behaviour and our work with the police.

Gazebo days are occasional consultation events on street corners or grass verges where we can just turn up, give information and get your views.

Young residents’ survey group who we can contact by text to get views on a variety of simple issues quickly and to help us keep in touch with what’s affectinglocal youths.

Resident surveyThis will help us plan services and understand your needs and how you want to be involved, consulted and informed. Part of this will help us make sure that everyone gets a fair and equal service and that any disability or language barrier does not get in the way of opportunities for involvement.

If you would like to discuss any of these ways of getting involved, please contact Pedro Odjidja on (0161) 946 6340.

The ‘resident involvement strategy’ means you can have an informed view of Parkway Green’s services, and be involved in planning and improving them.



People power. Our Residents’ Panel at work.

cont

act

us

By phone (0161) 953 2608 For any Parkway Green service, 8am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Phone this number in an emergency 24 hours a day, any day.Text phone: (0161) 953 2526

By email [email protected]

Website www.parkwaygreen.co.uk

By post Parkway Green Housing Trust, Parkway Green House, 460 Palatine Road, Northenden M22 4DJ

By fax (0161) 998 8851

By appointment Arrange an appointment: At a local office or in your home.Appointments are between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday and up to 6.30pm Thursdays. Make your appointment by phone.

In person Visit our local offices:Parkway Green House, 460 Palatine Rd & 137 Bowland Rd, Baguley. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm (up to 6.30pm Thurs by appointment only) Wednesday 8:30am – 2pm, Friday 8:30am – 4pm.

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTSManchester City Council:• Street lighting faults• Footpath problems• Street cleaning• Refuse collection• Bulky rubbish removal• Trees & hedges on public land• Fly-tipping• Untaxed or abandoned vehicles• Grass cuttingPhone (0161) 954 9000

EXTRA SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS WITH REDUCED HEARING OR VISIONIf you, or someone you care for, needs this newsletter, or any of our publications in Braille, large print or on CD:Phone: (0161) 953 2608Email: [email protected]: (0161) 953 2526



Heating & waterNo heating or hot water – any time of the year if you have a vulnerable person in your home: a young baby, or someone who is elderly or disabled. Otherwise this is a 3-hour emergency between October 1st and March 31st only.

Heating system giving off fumes – call Transco on 0800 111 999.

No cold water (but check with neighbours to see if it affects other homes).

Burst, major leak, water coming inA burst or leak that at least fills a household bucket overnight. Turn off the water! Any burst, leak or water coming in affecting electrics. Turn off electricity!

ToiletBlocked toilet — IF there isn’t another toilet.

Toilet that won’t flush — IF it’s the only toilet AND you can’t flush temporarily with a bucket of water.

Bath, shower, washbasinBath blocked or no water from taps — IF someone’s medical condition makes baths essential.

Shower broken — IF someone’s medical condition makes showers essential. But we can’t come immediately if it needs special parts.

Washbasin blocked or no water from taps — IF someone’s medical condition makes the basin essential.

ElectricsComplete power failure — BUT if nearby homes are affected contact the electricity company instead.

Power off in part of the home — IF it’s a danger to health or safety because

Emergency repair checklistOn page 5 we highlight the benef its of our free-to-use 24 hour emergency service. We give the repairs here a 3-hour deadline. Even if your repair doesn’t get this 3-hour emergency deadline, we’ll still usually deal with it inside three days – often the same day.

it’s needed for essential equipment like a stair lift or nebuliser.

Electrical fitting smoking or scorching. Turn off the electricity!

Fire alarm in block of flats broken.

Drains and wasteBlocked drain – If sewage is coming up.

Blocked refuse chute in a multi-storey block.

Door (outside)Lock broken — IF it makes your home insecure. You must pay for deliberate damage or neglect.

Door broken — IF it makes your home insecure. You must pay for deliberate damage or neglect.

Window Window broken — IF it makes your home insecure. You must pay for deliberate damage or neglect.

Locked outWe will force entry and repair the damage. BUT you must pay for deliberate damage or neglect.

LiftsFaulty lift.

Gas leakCall Transco 0n 0800 111 999

House f ireWe will check electricity wiring and gas pipe work if there has been a fire in your home. Don't use electricity or gas until this is done.

We don't make appointments for these emergency call-outs because they’re done so quickly. We just ask you to stay in and wait for us.


PARKWAY GREEN SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE! To talk to us in your language, call (0161) 953 2608 and tell us which language you speak.

ASK NIGELGot a question for the boss? Write to Ask Nigel, Parkway Green House, 460 Palatine Road, M22 4DJ.

Ho

usin

g P

ub

lication

08

/02

/06

March

08

home & a way...home improvement number 3,000 parkway green tenants’ newsletter spring 2008...

Documents