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GREAT STRONGER INSPIRED
HOMES COMMUNITIES PEOPLE
CBHnews
WINTER 2021
Win £50 vouchers
Hamper Scamper is a success!
Rise above the damp in your home
FREEPHONE 0800 408 0000
VISIT cbh.org
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17942.01_CBH_News_Winter_16pp_2020 v5.indd 1 08/01/2021 17:29
CBHnews WINTER 2021
A HAMPER DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
SCAMPER – HOT OFF THE PRESS!
SUCCESS!
In December we were pleased to hand We have also completed on an exciting
over the keys to, two two-bedroom flats property acquisition in the centre of town,
and a two-bedroom house for shared that will contribute towards our ambition to
ownership at Prestbury Road; it is great provide high quality homes for all and be our
Helping families get into the festive spirit to have these handed over before
Christmas for people to settle into
first acquisition solely for the private rented
sector. More details will follow in the new
Things have felt a little different this year due It was a huge success, as we dusted off our their new homes. year... watch this space.
to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop us spreading elf hats to help the fantastic cause.
a little festive cheer throughout December.
We’re thrilled to announce our fantastic
We supported the CCP’s (Caring for
Communities and People) Hamper Scamper
colleagues raised £610 for food donations PARTNERSHIP WORKING PROVIDES EIGHT,
NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES READY FOR
and brought 44 gifts for local children.
local charity appeal to help provide gifts and
food hampers to families who struggle to A HUGE thank you to everyone who
afford food and heating bills, as well as anyone fundraised, donated or gave up their time FAMILIES BEFORE CHRISTMAS
who may be isolated during the festive season. to help make the appeal such a success.
Holy Name Hall, a former church hall, on the site as part of Cheltenham Borough
built in the early 1960’s on Pennine Council and Cheltenham Borough Homes’
Win £50 vouchers!
Road, Cheltenham has received a £180m investment in quality homes and
major transformation to help meet the thriving communities.
affordable housing need in the town.
The name Ingleborough Mews came from
Cheltenham Borough Homes purchased the fact they are situated on Pennine Road,
We know that Christmas is an expensive time for many, which is why we
the church hall which had been closed for as Ingleborough is a place located in the
are starting 2021 with an opportunity for you to win one of three £50 high a number of years, on behalf of Cheltenham Pennine Hills.
street vouchers. Borough Council, from the Diocese in
February 2019. Eight families were given the keys to
This will also give us a better idea of how many Remember you’ve got to be in it to win, so their new homes in the weeks leading up
of you enjoy reading CBHnews. what you waiting for? Email your answers by Architects were able to design eight, to Christmas so they could be settled in
the 28 February 2021 with your name, address, two-bedroom affordable houses for rent time for Christmas.
There are a range of different brands you can
shop from, so why not give your bank account email and number to comms@cbh.org or send
a chance to recover by taking part. It’s simple, to Communications Team, Cheltenham House,
read through this edition of CBHnews and let Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JR.
us know the answers to the following questions: All terms and conditions available on our
1 How many baking and crafting packs
website at cbh.org
did our volunteer Lou deliver to families
over Christmas?
2 How do you avoid condensation when
cooking in the kitchen?
3 Which page will you find the following
quote ”....It is really lovely to have such
kind and helpful staff that actually
talk to you.”
COVER PHOTO: Our amazing volunteer Lou (left),
receives her baking pack from our Community
Investment Officer, Alexis (see page 12). Resource Reg. No. 2110
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
OUR PLANS FOR STRONGER COMMUNITIES:
THE FUTURE Enhance the way we engage
with our customers, through the
Continue to invest and
support the Action on ACE’s
project to help young people and
Your valuable feedback has guided us and is at the heart of our priorities for the expansion of online services, to
future, along with our promise to make Cheltenham a better place to live. make it easier for you to get in their Families.
Below are some of the highlights and achievements. touch with us. Work closely with CBC and our partners to:
The disruption of recent months has meant • Support families who are struggling
GREAT HOMES: we’ve had to change the way we work so we
can safely move towards a ‘better normal.’
financially
• Assist Adults and older people who
While our reception areas are closed due need extra help with their health and
Continue our close working Our new development to lockdown, we are no longer taking care needs
partnership with Cheltenham at Monkscroft Villas will payments in cash.
provide 27 new homes and on the former • Tackle any loneliness or isolation,
Borough Council to meet demand site of Holy Name Hall on Pennine Road This has proven to be a real success with particularly during these difficult times
for more affordable homes. the keys to 8 homes were handed over to positive feedback from you and we’re
the new tenants at the end of 2020. reinvesting the savings made from doing • Help people find employment and
We were extremely get the training opportunities they
pleased to hear that this into alternative payment options and
We also buy homes on need to thrive
developing a CBH app to improve access
87%
the open market which
to our services.
are then rented out to Help families secure and sustain a long
of you are happy with the quality of your CBH tenants. In 2019/20 term place they can call home.
we purchased 27 properties, Continue to provide a high level of
home and a fantastic customer service, using your feedback to On average we’ve prevented
another way to help provide
92% 150
more, much needed housing. continually shape the services we deliver.
of you feel safe.
We believe everyone deserves a safe and
secure place they can call home, so
We’re committed to
supporting the council’s
90%
of you told us you are
people from becoming
homeless each year.
Carbon Strategy
we’re working with CBC to bring happy with CBH and
We will look to make the new We work proactively with local partners
500
high quality, affordable homes
homes we build more energy
efficient to support the town’s
drive to reduce carbon emissions.
85% to come up with solutions to prevent
homelessness.
are satisfied we are listening and acting Last year, our Housing Options Team
to the town over the next 5 years. upon your views. helped people across Cheltenham
It’s great to see you’re happy with what claim a life-changing
we are doing, but don’t worry we know
there’s always room for improvement £1.5m
INSPIRED PEOPLE: and will continue to talk to you to find
out how we can do things better.
in additional benefits.
Provide our colleagues with We couldn’t do the work we Provide our customers with the
do without our amazing colleagues. support they need for a better
more development and training quality of life and create
opportunities, inspire the right Their caring and neighbourly approach neighbourhoods that thrive.
people to join the business to see the person, not the tenancy and
so we can continue to look go the extra mile, We will deliver services tailored
is what makes around individual needs.
after our customers and provide
them with the services they need. CBH so unique.
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
COME YOUR RENT-FREE WEEKS
ON
Wondering when your rent-free weeks
are? We’ve got all the information you
need on cbh.org
BOARD!
Don’t forget, if you are behind on your payments,
we will expect you to pay in rent free weeks
to reduce them. If you’re struggling financially, let
us know as soon as possible as we’re here to help,
give us a call on 0800 408 0000 (see back page)
We’re on the lookout
for new Members!
Make a difference in 2021
by joining our Board REPLACING YOUR
Jason Langley, shares why he enjoys his role as Chair of the Board:
BATHROOM OR KITCHEN
Ever wondered when your kitchen and bathroom is going to be replaced?
“I was living in the US and returned to the UK in 2013 to live in Cirencester.
At the time I was studying and looking for voluntary work and wanted to find This question was flagged up from you in the recent survey (see page 8). To answer your
something in the housing sector. I have always felt quite strongly that everyone question, we’ve pulled together some information on how long we would expect these to last.
deserves a decent home. I don’t know how people can flourish without one – so When replacing your kitchen and bathroom, we always try to offer a neutral and modern colours.
that led me to CBH where I applied for a Board position and the rest is history.
We would look to replace your:
At CBH we have always tried to be one step ahead by looking at creative,
innovative and agile ways to respond to opportunities and challenges within
social housing. This of course requires us all to be resilient, which is the number
one priority for CBH. Without that we wouldn’t be able to deliver the strong
service everyone deserves in the sustainable way we do.
Although we have achieved a great number of milestones during my time on the Kitchen Bathroom External doors
board, I think that the biggest achievement is the replacement of CBH’s entire – every 20 years – every 30 years – every 30 years
IT system. Although it doesn’t seem that exciting, its put CBH way ahead of the
pack. It’s one of the most significant projects ever undertaken and is helping
us to be fully informed so we can better understand your needs, challenges
and wishes, helping us to ‘do more, with less.’
CBH to me is a family, a team and a community
that I’m very grateful to be a part of. I work with
wonderfully talented, committed, and purposeful INTERE
people and that is incredibly rare. The CBH board is a STED? Boilers Windows
key part of that family and we work together by being Please – every 15 years – every 30 years
collaborative and willing to ask difficult questions.
rhian.w contact
atts@cb
CBH has provided me with an opportunity to contribute for mor h.org If you’re experiencing problems, please let our repairs team know. If you’re unsure how old
to do some incredibly important work, to learn and informa e your kitchen and bathroom is, give us call on 0800 408 0000 and we can let you know when
tion it was installed and when it’s due to be replaced.
enjoy it all at the same time.”
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
See how your views are making a difference to our services below:
YOU ASB Team Housing
ANSWERED, YOU SAID We received feedback Support
AND following concerns about
drugs in communities and We have continuously
followed Government
the best way to raise this.
guidelines so that colleagues
THIS IS WHAT Our ASB team have pulled together
information to explain the process and
can work safely in our independent living
schemes during this current pandemic in
HAPPENED the best way to report this – please see
page 10.
order to keep you safe.
NEXT… Whilst colleagues were unable to work on
site during the first lockdown, there were
weekly welfare calls made to our more
Your kitchen vulnerable residents and help was given
to those needing additional support with
and bathroom food and prescriptions.
A big thank you to everyone who has taken the A common question that has You told us that having your housing
popped up during the survey support officers on site made a huge
time to take part in our quarterly telephone survey. is lifespan of your kitchen and difference. Once we were able to return to
So far this year we have had around 500 responses to bathroom and when these can be replaced. each site in a Covid secure way, we made
ellent.
They are exc
the telephone survey carried out by Acuity. To help answer this, we’ve outlined some sure that our colleagues were present at
ersonal
I like the p information on how long we would expect our independent living schemes.
erything
Your responses are helping us to understand how
approach. Ev
these to last – see page 7.
ated these
happy you are with our services, and give us a better
understanding of where we can improve. is so autom
ally
days. It is re Condensation
ve such
lovely to ha
We’ve done 300 amount of calls so far this year to
lpful
Contractors
kind and he
address any issues raised and how we’ve fixed these. We received requests for
tually
more information on
staff that ac
Some of you raised
Although our satisfaction levels are high, your brilliant preventing condensation.
talk to you.
some concerns about our
feedback has helped us to adapt and respond to your
contractors. We picked We approached our repairs
needs by making some changes.
this up and thanks to your team who have pulled together some top
feedback have made some changes to tips to help you rise above the damp – see
enhance the services we deliver. page 11 for more information on this.
Keep talking to us as
CBH has really helped my client out
your views really do matter and
during the current COVID situation.
She is anxious in general and the team make a difference to the way
really made her feel relaxed. CBH is run. You don’t have to
wait for our call, you can let us
They helped me out of a very tricky know how we are doing anytime
situation following a divorce six years at: cbh.org/complaints-
ago, they have given me a home and let compliments-and-comments/
me live as if it is my own. They have
always been quick to respond if I have
had an issue. I am very satisfied.
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
KEEPING YOUR
NEIGHBOURHOOD DON’T PUT A
SAFE
‘DAMP’ER ON
YOUR HOME
Condensation is something we all try to Mike Scourfield
Our anti-social behaviour (ASB) team play your tenancy and puts you at risk of losing
a key part in keeping your communities safe. your home. avoid, but this can be tricky, especially
They work with a number of agencies, and
Our ASB Team are on hand to advise you during the colder months.
independently, to highlight and deal with
issues that affect you. through the process so, if you’re unsure let
us know. We are happy to report any issues Now winter is here, many of us will be turning Keep your furniture away from
They receive many different requests for to the Police on your behalf if you are unable up the heating and shutting the windows to the walls to allow air to circulate
support, but recently we were asked about to do this yourself. keep out the cold air, unfortunately this can
how we support individuals and communities lead to issues with condensation. Keep trickle vents on your windows
combat issues surrounding illegal drug use. open at all times
If you have any concerns about illegal Our repairs manager, Mike Scourfield
Illegal drug use or dealing is both a breach drug activity in your area, please report provides a few things we can all do to help
Open all windows for 20-30 minutes
of tenancy and a criminal matter. If there are it by contacting one of the below. prevent it:
every morning to ventilate your
reports of illegal drug activity within any of Police via 101, Crimestoppers via “Condensation is a common problem, if home – make sure curtains and
the homes we manage, we actively support 0800 555 111 or let the CBH ASB Team know ignored it can turn your home into a damp voiles are out of the way while
the police with their investigations and, in via 0800 408 0000 or email asb@cbh.org unpleasant place and increase your heating doing this
cases where criminal activity is in breach of bills. Here’s my tips you can take to stay
warm, and keep your home free from damp: Keep your heating on a low level
throughout the day rather than
If you can, hang washing outside to
Talk to us – we can help!
blasting it for short periods
dry and avoid drying on radiators
Open kitchen and bathroom
If you have to dry washing windows during cooking and
Most disputes can be resolved through initial ASB officer visits, warning letters and by
inside do this in the kitchen or washing for at least 30 minutes
making sure the right support is put in place for both the victim and the perpetrator.
bathroom, so the window can be left after to help disperse moisture
Find your local ASB officer below: open and/or extractor fans switched
on to help remove moisture Keep extractor fans on and clean
any fan filters regularly (at least
Cover pans when you’re cooking once a month)
Don’t leave kettles and pans boiling
for longer than necessary and use
extraction fans where possible
SEAN WOODS WENDY JOSEPH DEREK CHRISTINE
ROBERTSON SHILSTON Keep the kitchen and bathroom
Arle, Arle Farm, Whaddon, Town doors closed to stop moisture
Hesters Way West, Centre, St Paul’s, (Mon-Weds) (Thurs-Fri) Don’t forge
t
Hesters Way South, Alstone, Hesters
moving around your home can also fin you
Fiddler’s Green & Way East
Prestbury, Lynworth, Priors, Charlton Kings, more inform d out
atio
Springbank, St
Leckhampton, Rowanfield, St Mark’s, condensatio n on
Hatherley, The Reddings, Warden Hill n at
Peter’s, The Moors cbh.org/se
If you are experiencing problems with damp, your-home rvices/
/re
If you are a victim or witness ASB you can let us know by calling 0800 408 0000 or online #condensa pairs/
at cbh.org by filling in the ‘contact us’ form or through the tenant portal (see page 15) after trying these tips, remember we’re here tion
to help, please call 0800 408 0000
10 11
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
e nt
nity Investm
Our Commu (right) delivers
Say hello to Lou…
is
Officer Alex to Lou
a ck
a baking p
book
sta rt of loc kd ow n ou r live videos found on our Face
Since the Run by
t’s -on Gr ou ps ’ ha ve go ne from strength to strength.
‘Wha t from our
co mm unity inv es tm en t officer Alexis with suppor
ou r
d pa rtn ers, th ese on line sessions including the free
volunteers an new opportunities and expe
riences.
d cra fting pa ck s prov ide
baking an
:
ing vo lun te er Lo u, she shares her story below
CBH in the
Meet our am az
cam e ac ro ss th e Fa cebook Lives run by video
“I first cr af ting packs along with
th ey de liv er ed
Summer when me when I
Th is wa s on e of th e many lifesavers for th
In her own words, Lou shares
tutorials. st lockdown. I live wi
n Pop the cinnamon rolls in the oven
ho m e du rin g th e fir symptoms her recipe below: and
had the kids at E) an d ev er y day I’m faced with
cook them at 170 fan for 20 minutes
lit is (M
Myalgic encephalomye he s or pains, sleep disturb
ance, cognitive Why not put your baking skills to the
ni c fa tig ue , ac u can
including chro
n You don’t have to cook them all
tal exhaustion. As yo
test and check out my super easy and
e ph ys ic al or m en
impairment and inte ns makes it hard for me
instantly, the remaining cut rolls will
al l we llb ei ng an d it delicious cinnamon swirls below:
y over
imagine this affects m in and schooling. If
I overdo keep in the fridge 3-5 days, or you can
es ho us ew or k, ad m
to do basic things lik
n Mix 50g demerara sugar (I didn’t hav keep them in the freezer for 1 month,
s.
ffering more symptom
e
it, I run the risk of su
demerara so used light brown), with
sed
CBH, I was really plea
so you can cook them fresh another day
lin e se ss io ns ru n by 50g of but ter and 1tbs of ground
the on
When I came across re no t to o complex, all supplies
were
iti es we e
cinnamon. Put in a small dollop of
to find that the activ with was so helpful. Th
If you would like to get involved,
al ad ul t’ to do it
a ‘virtu Wilson -
aldi biscof f spread because I love it!
provided and having were exhibited in The
or find out more about our volunteer
ge th er as a fa m ily ter
designs we made to the Art in YOUR Quar
opportunities we’d love to hear from
Mu se um , as pa rt of n Unroll your room temperature puf f
ry &
Cheltenham Art Galle ent.
you, contact the community investment
eat sense of achievem
pastry and spread the mixture on,
t, an d we fe lt a gr
projec the kids
team on 0800 408 0000 or email
nt back to work and
leaving 1cm along the longest side
de d, m y hu sb an d we ned
Once lockdown en of loneliness, so I sig
communityinvestment@cbh.org
lt a m as siv e se ns e
I fe sappoint!
went back to school, s and they did not di
n Carefully roll up, use the paper to
af t an d ba ki ng pa ck , see
up to the weekly cr ke – cinnamon rolls
help if needs be. Before you get
an d ve ry sim pl e to ba
I posted my signature start of a
ow this would be the
to the end, wipe the 1cm with egg
ci pe . Li ttl e di d I kn
page 13 for the re ex is who runs the sessions
. wash to help it stick
ie nd sh ip wi th Al
beautiful fr start
e of ac hi ev em en t ag ain, at being able to n Cut (roughly) 2cm (you should get
ns g
After discovering a se m fo rt of m y ow n home without sufferin
in the co
about 17/18) and put them onto a
and finish something to uch with Alexis to he
lp with more
ue nc es , I ke pt in passionate
baking tray with baking paper on it.
the conseq As a Ch el tenham resident I’m
ng id ea s. urch
Leave a gap between them. I managed
crafting and baki ity , I’m a vo lunteer at St Paul’s Ch
co m m un is Christmas by
about supporting my
to get 9 on a chip tray. Brush with egg
d m ak e a di ff er en ce to more people th using
and felt we coul rtners. Together, we’re
wash if you have an egg
H an d ot he r lo ca l pa
joining forces with CB ns to pr ovide a unified appr
oach to help
t co nn ec tio g packs
all our differen liv er ed 70 ba king and 151 craftin
we de
others. Over Christmas
joy.
to spread the festive
Wi th ou t Al ex is an d CB H I would not be do
ing CLE
DON’T WASTE IT! RECYfood
the funds, energy,
this. I would not have Did you know you can recycle any cooked or raw
ivatio n or co nfi de nce to do these things
m ot scraps? Make sure you remove all packaging from your
e so much more than
alone. These packs ar food waste, especially plastic before adding to your
have helped with my
free resources, they
y physical wellbeing”. green caddy. For more information on this and what
mental health and m happens to your food waste visit:
cheltenham.gov.uk/food-waste
12 13
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CBHnews WINTER 2021
OLLIE CONTINUES INFO SPOT
TO ‘THRIVE’ Get in touch through our portal
One of our star recruits, Ollie, who If you’re looking to make a rent payment, book your own
took part in our Thrive programme repair (non-emergency), check you rent statement or even
last year has gone on to secure an view your own account details you can do this in the
comfort of your own home.
exciting new apprenticeship.
All you need to do is visit portal.cbh.org and register
During his time on Thrive Ollie successfully using your tenant number, email address and date of birth.
secured his ASDAN Careers and Experiencing It will only take a few minutes, but if you need help give us
Certificates and received lots of great feedback a call on 0800 408 0000
during his work experience placements with
our responsive repairs team and contractors.
After graduating from the Thrive programme,
he continued to work hard to secure the
qualifications he needed to become an
apprentice.
Ollie enjoyed his time during Thrive with CBH
and Cheltenham Flooring so much he stayed
in contact, so he could grab any opportunity
that came his way to work with them. He also
enrolled to study as an apprentice at one of
our Thrive partners, Gloucestershire College.
In September he received the exciting news Ollie said:
a position had come up with CBH and
Cheltenham Flooring to join as a property “I love doing my apprenticeship,
maintenance apprentice. His strong work ethic it’s better than I thought it
continues to shine through, and he is doing
exceptionally well in learning and developing would be. I enjoy working
his flooring and multi trades skills. He’s also with Cheltenham Flooring and
enjoying college life and is working hard to CBH. I get treated very well.
achieve the qualifications he needs to reach
his career goals. I even like going to college,
it’s going really well. Thank
you all very much.”
Ollie has received lots of positive
feedback from our partners at
Cheltenham Flooring, our colleagues
and everyone involved in supporting
him with his apprenticeship. It’s great
to see that he is enjoying his exciting
new career opportunity.
14 15
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YOUR RENT
YOUR RENTACCOUNT
ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT
BY MAKING
BY MAKINGAAPAYMENT
PAYMENT
PAYMENT
Struggling with
Struggling with money?
money?
Struggling with money?
Keep your
Keep your light
light shining
shining and
and talk
talktotous.
us.
Keep your light shining and talk to us.
We're here
We're here toto help!
help! Call
Call us
us on:
on:
We're here to help! Call us on:
0800 408
0800 408 0000
0000
0000
17942.01_CBH_News_Winter_16pp_2020 v5.indd 16 08/01/2021 17:30
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