Universal CreditWhat you need to knowPages 6 - 7

Page 3

Pages 8 & 12

Bathroom Project Update

Improve Your Job ProspectsFind out about our free training

Autumn 2013

High tenant satisfaction with ASB serviceMore tenants than ever are satisfied with the service they receive when they contact us to report anti-social behaviour.

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Along with the state of the art facilities available in the centre, the Youth Zone is also committed to outreach work in the community.

Wigan Youth Zone’s Outreach Worker Chris Capstick, who is funded by Wigan and Leigh Housing, regularly works with young people in different areas of the borough.

Chris runs varied activities including young people taking on the older generations at crown green bowls, working to increase self-esteem and confi dence in the young people he meets.

Wigan Youth Zone has now been open for its first summer and has already gained more than 6,000 members.

According to the recent tenants’ survey, 90% of tenants who made a complaint were happy with the outcome of their case.

Neil Turner, Chair of Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Board, said, “We have worked to make a lot of changes to the service and we are really pleased that tenants can see such improvements. We are working closely with Greater Manchester Police

to tackle problems and have also taken more legal actions against nuisance neighbours this year. We need the support of neighbours’ evidence to be successful in court and we are grateful to everyone who has come forward to help.”

If you want to report ASB, you can contact us in confi dence. Email asb@walh.co.uk or call 01942 70 50 40

Get into the zone

For more information about Wigan Youth Zone call 01942 612061, go to wiganyouthzone.org or find them on facebook and Twitter.

Chris says: “Outreach work can often be misinterpreted as work with bad kids in the community. This isn’t true. For me outreach work is heading out and engaging with young people then signposting them into things they might enjoy.

“We want to increase the chances of young people achieving what they want in life by introducing them to places like the Youth Zone.”

Abby says: “I like the youth workers at Wigan Youth Zone. They will help you with anything and you know there is always someone to talk to. I also play on their Youth Zone netball team.”

Aaron says: “What I like about Wigan Youth Zone is that we can watch Sky sports and play table tennis. It’s really good.”

ContentsIt’s been almost six months since the government’s welfare reforms came into force, introducing the ‘bedroom tax’ and more recently Universal Credit. We’ve been running regular features in Housing Matters to give tenants affected by these changes the information they need. We have also launched a special website with more details about the changes to benefi ts and our Tenants’ Conference this year was all about getting online and managing and saving money.We are committed to helping tenants into work and we’re working with training providers around the Borough to create opportunities for tenants of every age.If you need support or advice with managing your money or using the Internet, we are here to help. Get in touch with our Community Engagement Team at enquiries@walh.co.uk to fi nd out more.I’d also like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Ashley Crumbley, who is retiring as our Chief Executive. Under his guidance, we as tenants in Wigan have had more say than ever about our housing services and despite the economic challenges of recent times, we have kept our costs low and our satisfaction rates high. On behalf of the whole Board, I would like to wish him all the very best for the future.

Marjorie Marsden,

Tenant Board Member for Atherton and Vice Chair of Board

Could you foster?

Local Charity helps families

What does Universal Credit mean for you

Improve your job prospects

Find out more about Mutual Exchange

Welcome to the Autumn issue of our magazine for tenants 2

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12

Youth Zone

Welcome

Bathroom Project

Garden Competition 2013

Working it out

Working for you

House Swap

Gardening Corner

Active Living

Tenant Satisfaction Survey - The Winners

Forum Dates

Stay Safe this Autumn

Training Diary

Open your Heart and Home

Sleep like an Olympian

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Bathroom projectFollowing the success of the pilot, work began in July to upgrade the bathrooms in over 22 000 homes managed by Wigan and Leigh Housing.

Work has already started in the Beech Hill area and will start in Westleigh in early November.

The fi ve year project has already created 27 new jobs and seven new apprenticeships with more to come. All of the new apprentices are young people who live in the Borough and they will also be completing a NVQ Level 2 as part of their apprenticeship.

Find out when your bathroom will be updated - visitwww.walh.co.uk/Tenants/Repairs/BathroomRefurbishment

3www.walh.co.uk

oPen your home anD heart Every day foster carers across Wigan open their homes and hearts to children in need of a safe and loving place to stay. There are 190 foster families in the borough but more are needed desperately.

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Pam Gilligan with some of the Olympic bedroom furniture and one of the many food hampers the charity distributes each week, with fellow director and son Craig Gilligan and Compassion In Action volunteers Ian Bannister, Adrian Ashbrook and Dave Cook.

Sleep like an Olympian

But thanks to Lowton based charity Compassion in Action, hundreds of beds from the London 2012 Olympic Village have now been delivered to some of Wigan and Leigh Housing’s most vulnerable tenants. Each piece of furniture carries a small badge that says ‘This product was proudly made and supplied to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.’

The charity supports people who are in desperate need of help and works to help them start afresh. Director of Compassion

in Action, Pam Gilligan, says: ”We work with people to fi nd a holistic solution to the problems they face and help them go on to live independent lives.

“One of the fi rst households to receive the Olympic beds was a local family with a small child and his mum told our delivery team that he had not smiled for a while. But when he saw the bed, his face lit up and he said proudly to his mum: “Look at what the Queen has sent me!”

It could be the bed where ‘the Bolt’ laid his head or where Mo Farah dreamed of double Olympic Gold.

a safe and loving place to stay. There are 190 foster families in the borough but more are foster families in the borough but more are

Every day foster carers across Wigan open their homes and hearts to children in need of a safe and loving place to stay. There are 190 Tenants on benefi ts who are classed

as having a ‘spare room’ will have their benefi ts reduced. Foster carers, however, are allowed one additional room in their home as long as they have fostered a child or become a foster carer within the past 12 months.

1. You don’t need any qualifi cations to foster.2. As a foster carer you’ll be eligible for fi nancial support.3. You’re never too old to foster as long as you’re fi t and healthy.4. You can foster if you’re unemployed or on benefi ts.5. Wigan Council will provide you with everything you’ll need to get started, including beds, prams, car seats and anything else you may need.

Foster carers and the bedroom tax

Did You Know?

Wigan and Leigh Housing tenant Kath Barrington, 63, decided to become a foster carer twelve years ago after her children left home. She says: “There are still a lot of myths about who can be a foster carer. I’ve heard many people say that they can’t foster because they live in a fl at or a council house but that doesn’t matter as long as you live in a presentable home and have a spare bedroom. Being a foster carer also exempts you from bedroom tax. What people might not also realise is that you can be single, married, divorced or living with your partner.”

Visit www.wigan.gov.uk or call 01942 487203.

5www.walh.co.uk

Gardening Competition2013

Three gardens were chosen as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in all fi ve categories and the judges then had the incredibly diffi cult job of choosing one garden as the Best Overall Garden in the borough. This accolade was given to Catherine Kenyon and Frank Shaw of Beech Hill while a judges’ discretionary award was presented to Peter Corrigan of Astley. The results were announced at a special awards ceremony attended by the Mayor of Wigan and members of Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Board.

Chair of the Tenant’s Gardening Group, Michael Dowd said: “The competition is designed to say thank you to all the tenants who keep their gardens so nice and make our estates pleasant places to live for everyone. The standard was incredibly high once again and it was very diffi cult to choose the winners. Thank you to everyone who entered – it was an absolute delight to visit so many beautiful gardens.”

This year’s Gardening Competition for tenants and residents on council estates across Wigan borough was another huge success. Almost 100 people entered their garden into the competition which is run by the tenants of Wigan and Leigh Housing.

Photos from top:Frank Shaw & Catherine Kenyon; Christine Hill; Robert McKay; Peter Corrigan’s garden; Hindley Community Garden Committee; Elaine Ingrey.

Visit www.wigan.gov.uk or call 01942 487203.

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workinG it out. If you receive benefits, you need to know about Universal Credit. This is a big part of the Government’s welfare reforms, replacing Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based), Income Support, Housing Benefit and Tax Credits and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.The main idea is to make sure people are better off in work than on benefi ts. The government calls this ‘making work pay’. In the last issue of Housing Matters we told you how to fi nd out how you could be affected, how to get help planning a budget and how to fi nd out about other benefi ts or support that could be available to you. This time we wanted to let you know about how Universal Credit could possibly help you.

neeD a conVenient way to Pay your rent?Setting up a direct debit is a simple and safe way for you to make sure your payment gets to us on time.

We offer four payment dates - the 5th, 14th, 21st and 28th of each month. Choose which is the most convenient for you, complete a Direct Debit form and we will do the rest.

You can download a form from www.walh.co.uk/Applicant/FurtherInformation/RentPaymentMethods or request a form by emailing enquiries@walh.co.uk or calling 01942 70 50 40. All you need to do is fi ll it in, sign it and return it to the address at the bottom of the form.

7www.walh.co.uk

How can Universal Credit help me?

What if I’m self employed or thinking of starting my own business?

How we can help you get into work.

How we can help you get online.

Do you know what Universal Credit could mean for you?

The new benefi ts system has been designed to encourage people to work or to increase the hours they work without fear of losing their benefi t entitlements.

If you are in work (including irregular or part time work) you should be better off with Universal Credit. The government estimates

Sometimes being self-employed can mean being on a low income in the early stages. If you are already self-employed, you may currently claim benefi ts or tax credits.

Wigan and Leigh Housing is working with Wigan and Leigh College to promote training courses that can help you get a job in various types of employment

If you are looking for work, the best place to start is online. A good place to start is www.gov.uk/jobsearch. If you don’t have access

Check our website www.wiganwelfarereform.co.uk. You can also contact us on enquiries@walh.co.uk or call 01942 70 50 40.

that around one million households will be about £25 a week better off under the new system.

If you are thinking about moving into work or increasing your hours, your benefi ts will not automatically stop as they would have done under the old system. Universal Credit payments will be reduced at

Universal Credit will support people who are self-employed, where this is the best way for people to become fi nancially independent.

including contact centre work, retail, leisure and aviation. To fi nd out more, email us at enquiries@walh.co.uk or call 0800 389 7652

to the internet at home, there are over 200 computers that are free to use in libraries and Life Centres across Wigan.

a steady rate, taking your earnings into account. The amount you can earn before your payment of Universal Credit is reduced has been increased for many people.

There is also more support with the costs of childcare.

Under the new system, however many hours you work, you should always be fi nancially better off in work than on benefi ts.

We are also running employability training courses. Read about how they have improved the job prospects of local people on page 8.

Never used the internet before? We can help. Call us on 0800 389 7652 to fi nd out about our free training courses.

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David Barr is on the verge of getting a new full-time job thanks to a free training course that could have very well changed his life. The 19 year-old from Newtown has just completed Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Employability Skills course.David said “The course sounded interesting and I’ve not been in work for a while so I thought I’d give it a go. It’s been really good and I’ve learnt a lot.”

The course offers practical hands-on training in the skills that are essential in the modern workplace. Working with training provider Nordic Pioneer, the group has learnt about health and safety, manual handling, hygiene and cleaning and basic computer skills.

“We keep the content of the course as broad as possible to give people a fl avour of all the different skills they need,” says trainer David Wright. “It really gets people thinking about what they want to do and makes them a more attractive proposition to an employer.”

WORKING FOR YOU

For more information on the range of courses run for tenants by Wigan and Leigh Housing, visit our website: www.walh.co.uk and search for ‘training’.

“The course really got me thinking about all the things you need to do to get a job. I’d defi nitely recommend this course, it’s working for me.”

“I’ve defi nitely added to my skills set. There have been some really useful practical sessions and some good group discussions. I think everyone has learnt a lot.”

kirSty Dean 24, NORLEY HALL

aDam kneale 24, MARSH GREEN

www.walh.co.uk

Top Tips For Autumn1234

Lift and store tender bulbs and perrenials and plant out your spring bulbs.

Now is the best time to plant a new strawberry patch, spring greens and garlic.

Bury dahlia tubers and fuschias in boxes of dry peat until spring.

If any chrysanthemums have bloomed early, place them in a sheltered corner or in a greenhouse.

with Wilf Ford

Top Tips For AutumnLift and store tender bulbs and perrenials and plant out your

Now is the best time to plant a new strawberry patch, spring

Bury dahlia tubers and fuschias in boxes of dry

If any chrysanthemums have bloomed early, place them in a sheltered corner or in a greenhouse.

And with the introduction of the government’s under-occupation charge, or ‘bedroom tax’ looming, Val knew she was going to be hit hard in the pocket. She needed to move but after 18 years at the same address, where was she going to go?

Just across the street, young mum Lindsay Boyd and her partner were looking to upsize from their two-bedroom fl at to somewhere bigger. “My daughter Mia is only fi ve and she needed a garden to run around and play in”, says Lindsay.

Turns out that Val’s place had just the garden Lindsay was looking for! “We just got chatting in the street and realised that we both wanted each others’ homes,” says Val. “It was perfect for me because I could move but still keep my neighbours. It was perfect for Lindsay because they would have a garden for Mia.”

Val and Lindsay decided to use Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Mutual Exchange Scheme. “We had to apply and someone came out to talk us through the process,” says Val. “It was easy. They checked our fi nances to make sure we could afford the rent and looked at any repairs that needed doing. After that we were given the ok to move.”

In fact it took just eight weeks for the neighbours to swap homes and they both couldn’t be happier. “It’s the best thing I have ever done,” Val says, “I’d recommend the Mutual Exchange Scheme to anyone.” And so would Lindsay and Mia: “It was the perfect solution for all of us,” says Lindsay, who works as a Domestic Assistant at Leigh Infi rmary. “We got the help we needed and we’re all really happy with the way things have turned out.”

9www.walh.co.uk

With her children grown up and flown the nest, Val Smith admits her four bedroom home in Aspull was too big for her.

House Swap

To fi nd out more about our Mutual Exchange Scheme, visit www.walh.co.uk and search for ‘mutual exchange’ or fi nd Wigan & Leigh Housing Mutual Exchange/Swap Scheme on Facebook

Top Tips For AutumnTop Tips For Autumn

with Wilf Ford

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When you have a repair job done in your home, do you fi ll in the comment card left by the contractor? We are always interested in your feedback and all comments – good or bad – are important to help us deliver the high standard of service you expect. Your comment card will also be entered into a prize draw and three lucky winners will be chosen at random.

This year’s winner of £300 High Street Vouchers is Brenda Dainty after she fi lled out a satisfaction survey card when she had repairs completed at her home by BHE.

2nd Prize of £200 High Street Vouchers went to Mrs J. Hitchen. She had fi lled the card in after she had new lever taps fi tted by Mears.

3rd Prize of £100 High Street Vouchers went to Cheryl Fitzpatrick after she had an job completed on her home by LBS.

Thank you to the contractors who donated the vouchers and thank you to everyone who completed and returned the satisfaction survey cards. All cards received from now will be entered into the 2014 April prize draw.

tenant SatiSfaction SurVey – the winnerS

Walking is an ideal activity for people who want to improve their general health. WLCT Active Living’s Health Walks programme has a walk to suit all fi tness levels – from 40 and 60 minute health walks to progression Nordic and Hill walks. Visit www.getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk to download your copy of the latest walks brochure.

If you’ve previously learnt to cycle – however many years ago – there’s never been a better time to get back in the saddle. It’s a great way to improve your fi tness and a perfect way of commuting around the Borough cheaply - and it’s good for the planet too! If you’ve not cycled for a while, WLCT Active Living’s Health on Wheels programme can help you back onto two wheels with a variety of sessions aimed at regaining balance and confi dence. Cycles are available to use from one of the Team’s six pods across the Borough. All leisure rides take place on off-road, green space routes and are FREE. For the latest timetable of leisure rides, visit www.getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk.

Running is great – all you need is a decent pair of trainers. It’s a fantastic way to improve your fi tness and maintain a healthy weight – just remember to build up gradually. WLCT Active Living’s Jogging programme is aimed at absolute beginners and features fun, motivating sessions to improve fi tness levels. For a list of latest sessions, visit www.getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.getactivewiganandleigh.co.uk or call 01942 488481.

Autumn is a great time to kick-start your keep fit campaign. WLCT’s Active Living Team has got lots of activities planned to help you get fit and feel great and they’re all FREE!

Get Active Outdoors this Autumn…

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Treacle toffee, fireworks, bonfires and black peas – there are a lot of lovely traditions celebrating the 5th of November. Don’t make a hospital visit part of your celebrations – follow our guidelines below. Steve Sheridan of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service says: “We always advise people to attend an organised event wherever possible because every year we see the tragic consequences of badly built fires and recklessness around fireworks. However if you are organising your own party please follow these essential safety tips:

Build bonfires at least 18 metres away from buildings, trees, fences, overhead cables, car parks and roads

Keep fires smaller than 3 metres high (think the height of a bus shelter).

Spectators must be kept at least 5 metres away, ideally behind a barrier.

NEVER throw aerosols, batteries, bottles, foam-filled furniture, tins of paint or tyres onto fires.

NEVER use petrol, paraffin, diesel, methylated or white spirits to light the fire.

Fly tipping is illegal – don’t use bonfires to dispose of unwanted waste.

It is illegal to build a bonfire on public land which is owned by Wigan Council, WLCT or Wigan and Leigh Housing. Council officers will be working with police and fire officers to look out for dangerously built fires and check that only suitable materials have been used. We will remove a fire if it looks dangerous and poses a risk to the public.

Stay Safe thiS autumn

For further advice on bonfires and safety around fireworks, visit

www.safe4autumn.com

If you need funding for a project or event that will make your community safer or stronger, come along to the meetings. All funding is agreed by tenants and residents attending our Area Housing Forums. You can also raise any local issues. The next dates are:

For venue details email enquiries@walh.co.uk or call 0800 389 7652.

Atherton Area Forum 9th December 10am – 12pm

Platt Bridge Area Forum 10th December 2pm – 4pm

Wigan Area Forum 11th December 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Leigh Area Forum 12th December 6.15pm – 8.15pm

Pemberton Area Forum 13th December 10am – 12pm

Older Person’s and Sheltered Forum 16th December 10am – 12pm

forum DateS

Free Training for Tenants To book your place, email enquiries@walh.co.uk or call 0800 389 7652

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

Wednesday 6th November 2013 - Unit 16, Rose Bridge Court, Rose Bridge Way, Wigan.

Essential advice on keeping your home safe from carbon monoxide.

November 2013

Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (Level 1)

Monday 2nd December 1 day per week for 6 weeks - Leigh Campus, Wigan and Leigh College.

Develop the skills and knowledge required for working or progressing your career in this sector.

December 2013

Project Planning and BNF Training for TRAs

Tuesday 25th February 9.30am – 4.30pm. Lunch provided. Venue TBC.

Essential training for groups wishing to apply for Better Neighbourhood Funding

February 2014

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

Wednesday 12th March 2014 Unit 16, Rose Bridge Court, Rose Bridge Way, Wigan.

Essential advice on Carbon Monoxide safety in the home.

March 2014

Introduction to Indian Cooking

Wednesday 8th January 6.30pm – 9pm Abraham Guest Academy.

Learn how to cook the perfect curry.

January 2014

Introduction to Tiling

Tuesday 14th January 6.30pm-9pm for 5 weeks Tembo Training, Unit 15, Swan Meadow Industrial Estate.

Practical course to give beginners essential basic tiling skills.

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

Wednesday 22nd January 2014 Unit 16, Rose Bridge Court, Rose Bridge Way, Wigan.

Essential advice on keeping your home safe from carbon monoxide.

Energy Saving Advice

Tuesday 12th November 2013 - Hope Children’s Centre, Kelvin Grove, Marus Bridge, Wigan, WN3 6SP.

Useful information about why we need to save energy, how we can save energy and what funding is available.

Festive Foods

Tuesday 19th November 6pm – 9pm for 3 weeks - Abraham Guest Academy.

Pick up new ideas for your Christmas celebrations.

Protecting your child from exploitation and grooming

Wednesday 20th November 2013 - Wednesday 4th December 2013 1pm - 3pm Standish Library, Cross Street, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0HQ.

This workshop aims to keep children and young people safe both on the internet and in day to day life.

Surviving Christmas

Wednesday 6th November - Wednesday 13 November 1pm - 3pm Standish Library, Cross Street, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0HQ.

Helping parents/guardians cope with the financial and emotional stress that Christmas can cause. Two session workshop.