NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY

Page created by Lloyd Franklin
 
CONTINUE READING
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
news
                                     Specialist Support

                   The Gateshead Housing Company

                                           Spring 2018

Storytime at
McErlane Square
See pages 16-17

Also in this issue...

• Tenancy visits
• Meet our apprentices
• Saving for
  leaseholders
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
Information is also available in large print, audio or Braille on request.
  Call 0191 433 5353 for more information. You can also fax to 0191 433 5354, email
 enquiries@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or text ‘ENQ’ and your message to 0762   0778 480
                                                                                620 4167.
                                                                                    8277.
Albanian       Nëse doni informacion në një gjuhë ose format tjetër si për shembull Braille, audio ose germa të mëdha,
               ju lutemi na kontaktoni në të dhënat e mësipërme. Telefononi 0191 4335357, dërgoni tekstin ‘INVOLVE’
               te 0762 480 4167 ose email në involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Chinese        如果您需要我們使用其他語言或格式(如盲文、音頻或大號字體)提供資訊,請按以下聯絡方式聯絡我們。
(Cantonese)    致電 0191 4335357,發送‘INVOLVE’到 0762 480 4167 或發電子郵件至 involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk。

Chinese        如果您需要我们使用其他语言或格式(如盲文、音频或大号字体)提供信息,请按以下联系方式联系我们。
(Mandarin)     打电话至 0191 4335357,发短信‘INVOLVE’到 0762 480 4167 或发电子邮件至
               involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk。

Farsi          ‫لیرب طخ دننام یئاه تمرفرد ای یرگید نابز هب ار تاعالطا دیهاوخ یم رگا‬، ‫دیئامن تفایرد گرزب پاچ ای و یتوص‬،
               ‫دیریگب سامت ام اب ریز تایئزج قیرط زا افطل‬.
               ‫ نفلت‬4335357 0191، ‫ “ نتم‬INVOLVE” ‫ هب‬4167 480 0762 ‫ لیمیا ای و‬involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

French         Si vous voulez avoir ces informations en une autre langue ou sous autres formats, tels que en braille, en audio
               ou en gros caractères, veuillez nous contacter sur les numéros suivants. Appelez le 0191 4335357, envoyez
               ‘INVOLVE’ à 0762 480 4167 ou bien par email involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Kurdish        ‫ڵیهرب وکهو رت یکێزاوێش و نامز هب هییرایناز هب تزهح رهگهئ‬، ‫هروهگ یپاچ دوخای یگنهد‬، ‫مهئ یاگێر هل هیاکت‬
Sorani         ‫نهکب هوێپ نامیدنهویهپ هوهراوخ یهناناشینوان‬.
               ‫ نۆفهلهت‬01914335357، ‫ ینۆفهلهت یهرامژ ۆب همان‬07624804167 ‫ینۆرتکیلهئ یتسۆپ دوخای‬
               involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Polish         W razie potrzeby uzyskania informacji w dowolnym języku lub formacie, takim jak alfabet Braille’a, w wersji
               dźwiękowej lub powiększonym drukiem, prosimy o kontakt, korzystając z poniższych danych:
               Kontakt telefoniczny pod nr. 0191 4335357, wysłanie wiadomości tekstowej o treści ‘INVOLVE’ pod numer
               0762 480 4167 lub wysłanie wiadomości e-mail na adres involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Portuguese     Se pretender informações noutra língua ou formato, designadamente em Braille, áudio ou caracteres grandes,
               contacte-nos através dos dados abaixo.
               Telefone 0191 4335357, envie a mensagem de texto ‘INVOLVE’ para o 0762 480 4167 ou envie um e-mail
               para involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Russian        Если вам нужна информация на другом языке или в другом формате, Брайль, аудио или увеличенный
               шрифт, обратитесь к нам, используя следующую информацию:
               по телефону 0191 4335357, пришлите текстовое сообщение ‘INVOLVE’ на 0762 480 4167 или по
               электронной почте involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Slovak         Ak by ste chceli informácie v inom jazyku alebo formáte, ako napríklad Braillovom písme, audio nahrávke alebo
               zväčšeným typom písma, spojte sa s nami pomocou nižšie uvedených kontaktných údajov.
               Telefonicky na čísle 0191 4335357, prostredníctvom SMS správy s textom ‘INVOLVE’ na číslo 0762 480 4167
               alebo e-mailom na adresu involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

Turkish        Eğer başka bir dilde veya Braille, ses veya büyük baskı gibi başka biçimde bilgi isterseniz, aşağıdaki ayrıntılar
               üzerinden lütfen bize ulaşın.
               Telefon 0191 4335357, ‘INVOLVE’ diye 0762 480 4167 ‘e kısa bir mesaj gönderin veya involve@
               gatesheadhousing.co.uk e-postasına yazın.

Urdu           ‫یصوصخ یک (دارفا انیبان لیرب) ہک ےسیج ںیہ ےتہاچ انرک لصاح ںیم ٹیمراف ای نابز روا یسک تامولعم پآ رگا‬
               ‫یئاھکل‬، ‫ےئجیک ہطبار رپ ربمن ےئگ ےیئد ےچین ینابرہم ےئارب وت ںیم ٹنرپ ےڑب ای ےئل ےک ےننس‬:
               ‫ ربمن نوف‬0191 4335357 ‫‘ سکیٹ‬INVOLVE’ ‫ےس‬0762 480 4167 ‫ےئجیک لیم یا ای رپ‬
               involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk ‫۔‬

          news spring 2018
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
Specialist Support
                                                          news spring  2018

Welcome to the spring issue of
The Gateshead Housing Company news.
In this edition we have plenty           Spring is here, and with it comes our
of good-news stories to share,           new Moving Forward programme of
from estate improvements in East         customer training events. This year
Gateshead (p22-23) to savings for        the brochure includes information
leaseholders (p12-13).                   about the trainers, plus feedback
                                         from people who have attended, to
We also catch up with our business       help you choose the course that’s
apprentices (p4-5), who have now         right for you.
been working with us for six months.
                                         To receive future issues of TGHC
            And don’t forget our         news online rather than on paper,
            “Essential info” pages       email us at communications@
            at the back of this          gatesheadhousing.co.uk
                 magazine, which
                  are invaluable if
                   you need to get                           Paul Foy
                     in touch with us.                       Chair of the Board

Contents
4 Apprentices are “the business”         19 Apply for a Community Fund grant
6 Tenancy Visits                         20 Grant helps young people get skills
                                            for work
8 Health of housing
                                         22 Estate issues tackled in East
10 What does a multi-storey caretaker       Gateshead
   do?
                                         24 Dates for your diary
12 Good news for leaseholders
                                         26 Essential information
14 Moving Forward - what a year!
16 McErlane Square goes back to
   school

                                                                                  3
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
Apprentices are
   “the business”
   Last September saw 11 new            engineering, joinery, plastering
   apprentices start their career       and business administration.
   journey with The Gateshead
   Housing Company.                     In a previous issue of The
                                        Gateshead Housing Company
   The housing company                  news we featured our trade
   apprentices, aged 16-24, were        apprentices – here we catch up
   appointed to a variety of            with our business apprentices
   roles to give them on-the-job        who are now six months into their
   experience in plumbing, electrical   placement.

                                            Lee Frazier (left) and Brandon Thompson

4 news
  news spring
       spring2018
              2018
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
In your
                                                    Specialist   home
                                                               Support

Apprentices Brandon Thompson
and Lee Frazier have been                         Brandon
learning the basics of business                Thompson said:
administration on the job while
                                            “An apprenticeship is
attending college one day per
                                              a good route into
week to complete Business
                                            employment as it is a
Administration NVQ level 2.
                                          stepping stone to greater
They work in various teams              things and as well as gaining
across the company completing            a qualification I am getting
day-to-day administration tasks          valuable experience which
such as handling mail, scanning             will help me progress
documents, taking messages and                   in my career.”
providing support to their team
when needed.

                           Lee Frazier said:
                  “It’s good learning new skills and
                 applying them to tasks I have never
               carried out before, meaning I am doing
                   something different every day.”

           Do you know someone who’d be interested in
                     “earning while they learn”?
             To find out more about apprenticeships with
     The Gateshead Housing Company call 0191 433 7354 or email
            apprenticeships@gatesheadhousing.co.uk

                                                                        5
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
Tenancy Visits
   The housing company will shortly      So the Tenancy Visit will be
   launch a new programme of             made by a Neighbourhood
   “Tenancy Visits”. At a recent         Housing Officer?
   meeting, David Hewitson, Chair        Yes. They will all carry photo ID
   of our Customer Scrutiny Panel,       to show they are employees. I’d
   took the opportunity to ask Head      like to remind people never to
   of Neighbourhood Services Hazel       allow anyone without ID into their
   Forster more about it.                home.
   Hazel, my first question is what      All tenants will be required to
   is a Tenancy Visit and why are        allow access to their homes for
   you doing them?                       the Tenancy Visit.
   Well, David, we are committed         Will we find out in advance
   to supporting our customers.          about our Tenancy Visit?
   We already do a large number of
   home visits but sometimes we          Yes. We will write to you with an
   don’t get to meet everybody. As       appointment. If this appointment
   part of this scheme we aim to visit   isn’t convenient, get in touch and
   each of our tenants in their home     we will rearrange it.
   at least once every two years.        What happens during a Visit?
   As well as checking on the home       We will ask you some questions
   we want to ask tenants if they are    and make an inspection of
   having any tenancy related issues     your home. You will be asked to
   or have any additional support        provide identification to confirm
   needs. This is also an opportunity    you are the tenant.
   for tenants to get to know their
   Neighbourhood Housing Officer         The visit is an opportunity for you
   and find out what support we can      to talk to your Neighbourhood
   provide.                              Housing Officer about any issues
                                         you may have within your home,

6 news spring 2018
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
In your home

and you will be able to report         How will you use the
repairs and get help and advice        information you get?
with your tenancy.                     We will update our records
You can also tell us about any         to ensure we have accurate
concerns, for example about            information about your
managing your money or anti-           household. This helps us to give
social behaviour, or simply            you a service that’s personal to
anything you need help with.           your own needs.

We will give you advice on             How can tenants find out more?
how to put right any issues            Contact your local housing
with the property that are your        office (see p27 for contact
responsibility. This is an important   details) and ask to speak to your
issue particularly if you are          Neighbourhood Housing Officer,
thinking about moving home in          who will be able to answer your
the future.                            queries.

                                                                           7
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
The Health of Housing
   In November 2017 Gateshead          Our HenPower project is now
   Council called upon residents and   a national success, and the
   businesses to come together to      reported health benefits of
   make Gateshead a place where        keeping hens include reducing
   everyone can thrive.                depression and loneliness. The
   We are proud to share with you      ‘Hensioners’ have appeared on
   a range of things we do at the      TV many times talking about
   housing company to support this.    the difference keeping hens has
                                       made to their lives.
   Services for older people           Advice and Support Team
   Since 2015 many of our older        Our Advice and Support Team
   residents have been enjoying        help customers who approach
   Boccia, an indoor sport similar     them directly, and also those who
   to French bowls. Boccia helps       have been referred by another
   to improve the health and           service. Initially customers may
   wellbeing of our older residents    need help with a short-term crisis
   in numerous ways, from making       such as fuel poverty, food poverty,
   new friendships to reducing the     or needing help to access the
   risk of slips, trips and falls.     correct benefits.
                                       However, when we work more
                                       closely with a tenant, we may
                                       identify longer-term health
                                       and wellbeing issues such as
                                       substance misuse, social isolation,
                                       serious debt or family crisis. Our
                                       team keeps in regular contact
                                       with these customers in case they
                                       need further help.

8 news spring 2018
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
Health and wellbeing
                                                   Specialist Support

Customer training
Our Moving Forward programme
of courses is designed to improve
the health and wellbeing of our
customers. Whether you want
gardening tips, information on
diabetes, or you’re struggling to
get to grips with Universal Credit,
there’s something for everyone.
Have a look at our programme to
see what you can try this year!       Newcastle Eagles basketball
                                      The ‘Hoops 4 Health’ project
                                      we deliver in primary schools with
                                      Newcastle Eagles helps us tackle
                                      inequalities among young people.
                                      The workshops provide a wealth
                                      of information about fitness and
                                      healthy eating, and encourage
                                      the children to continue playing
                                      sports. Each child also receives two
                                      free tickets to watch a home game,
                                      which they may not have had the
                                      opportunity to do otherwise.

 Follow us on social media to find out what else we’re doing across
 Gateshead – and if you want to get involved, email us at
 involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or call 0191 433 5357.
     gatesheadhc
     gatesheadhousingcompany

                                                                         9
NEWSSPRING 2018 STORYTIME AT MCERLANE SQUARE - SEE PAGES 16-17 - THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
What does a multi-storey
    caretaker do?
    Our caretakers are essential to the management of our multi-
    storey accommodation and have a varied range of responsibilities
    - from day-to-day cleaning in their block and small maintenance
    jobs, to being available to help tenants with small tasks in their
    properties.
    Each of our 25 multi-storey blocks
    has a residential caretaker, who is
    partnered with a colleague from
    another block. They work as a
    team to support each other and
    to provide holiday cover.
    Our caretakers take pride in their
    block as it’s their home too. Each
    day starts with a walk around the
    block to inspect each floor and
    identify any health and safety
    risks. Once this is done, it’s time
    to complete the daily cleaning
    rota, ensuring that the housing                      Caretaker Supervisor
    company’s service standards are                          Aileen Patterson
    met.
    Caretakers are the eyes and ears      behaviour and repairs that need
    of the block, often picking up        doing. They work closely with
    on issues as they happen. This        Neighbourhood Housing Officers
    includes reporting anti-social        and the Concierge service, so
                                          good communication is a must.

10 news spring 2018
High-rise
                                                       Specialist   news
                                                                  Support

                                                           Fell Court in Wrekenton

Working hours are 08:00–16:30          rota to cover health and safety
Monday to Thursday and                 emergencies. Every week one
08:00–16:00 Friday. Outside of         caretaker from each of the four
these hours there is a standby         areas will cover the standby duty.

 Do you think you would make a good caretaker?
 If you enjoy helping people and problem-solving, it could be the job
 for you. Benefits include free accommodation and a standby rota
 allowance. The housing company also offers good career progression
 opportunities.
 To find out more about our caretaker or concierge vacancies, contact the
 Multi-storey Team on 0191 433 5372 or 0191 433 5857.

                                                                                11
Good news for leaseholders
     Leasehold buildings insurance cost to reduce by an average of 46%.
     The Leasehold Service               The new three-year policy will
     Improvement Group (SIG),            be placed with Avid Insurance.
     working in partnership with         The insurance premium rate will
     Gateshead Council, has helped to    be £1.46 per £1,000 sum insured
     procure a new buildings insurance   (inclusive of Insurance Premium
     provider from April 2018.           Tax at 12%), resulting in an
                                         average reduction on the previous
     The SIG reviewed the contents       annual premiums of 46%.
     of the tender document,
     ensuring the new policy would       The policy remains free of claims
     remain competitive and reflect      excesses, except in cases of
     leaseholders’ priorities.           subsidence, where the existing
                                         £1,000 still applies.

Members of the Leasehold SIG with
Leasehold Manager Janice Adams,
Managing Director Jon Mallen-Beadle
and Leasehold Officer
Laura Chapman

12 news spring 2018
Leasehold
                                                      Specialist   news
                                                                 Support

All leaseholders will be sent a         increase customer satisfaction.
new insurance policy booklet and        Biennial survey results showed
contact details soon.                   overall satisfaction had
                                        increased from 62% (June 15)
With your help we have                  to 75.8% in (June 17)
changed services
                                      • Reviewed the Income
Once again leaseholders across          Management Policy and
Gateshead have helped to shape          reworded the letters sent to
the services received by more than      leaseholders. Major works
850 residents each year.                and service charge collection
The Leasehold SIG meets every           are both above target and
month to review performance and         increased on last year’s figures.
identify future improvements. In      You don’t have to be part of a
the last year the group, working      group to make a difference.
with the Leasehold Services Team,
have:                                 Involvement can range from a
                                      five-minute telephone call and
• Designed a new online               completing a survey, to attending
  survey which made it easy           a full-day session or joining a SIG –
  for customers to give their         you decide.
  feedback. The number of
  responses was double that of        We appreciate all levels of
  the previous year (60 in 2016 vs    involvement from leaseholders to
  140 in 2017)                        develop and deliver services to a
                                      better standard.
• Identified customer priorities
  and made changes to help

 Visit www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/involve for more
 information or to join the Leasehold SIG call 0191 433 5396.

                                                                              13
Moving Forward
    – what a year!
    As our 2018/19 Moving Forward        With the
    programme is launched this           help of
    month, we felt it timely to shout    our customer focus
    about the last year’s courses        group, this year you will see a
    and share some of the positive       refreshed design, still maintaining
    feedback we’ve had about them.       the look and feel of last year.
    Who knows - it may tempt you to      We’re excited to announce some
    have a go at something new this      new courses too: Understanding
    year!                                Universal Credit, Nutrition and
                                         Health Awareness, and The
    Last April saw the launch of a new   Principles of Physical Activity.
    look to our customer training,
    and it certainly caught the eye      It was great to see lots of new
    of many of you. Lots of people       faces attend courses last year.
    of all ages signed up to courses     From gardening to digital
    to develop their skills and          training, dementia awareness to
    knowledge - and we’re hoping for     confidence building, there really
    the same this year.                  is something for everyone!
                                         When asked “Why did you go on
                                         a training course?”, one attendee
                                         told us, “To learn, or to bring up
                                         to date what I did know. There’s
                                         always something new.”
                                         Another attendee told us about
                                         the difference going on a course
                                         made to them saying, “I had a

14 news
   news spring
        spring2018
               2018
Get involved
                                                   Specialist Support

                                   courses that are topical and fulfil
                                   the needs of local residents.
                                   Why not take a moment to look
                                   through the new programme and
                                   sign up for a course today? We
                                   provide a range of support to help
                                   you attend so please do get in
                                   touch to find out more.

very bad year health-wise and it    For more information about
would be made worse if I hadn’t     our training contact the
learnt about stress.”               Customer Involvement Team
                                    on 0191 433 5357 or email
Supporting the wider health         involve@gatesheadhousing.
agenda of people living in          co.uk
Gateshead, we aim to provide

                                                                         15
McErlane Square
    goes back to school
    Residents from a sheltered           and crafts, music and movement,
    housing scheme in Pelaw              and storytime.
    have been taking part in fun
    intergenerational get-together       The get-togethers hope to
    sessions with local children.        promote a greater understanding
                                         and respect between generations
    The sessions bring together ten      and bring together the
    residents from McErlane Square       community.
    and 16 children from St Alban’s
    School and Nursery.                  There is also an aim to encourage
                                         people to use local services,
    The programme initially involves     such as libraries - which lent out
    six weekly sessions including arts   the books for the first meet-up,

   news spring
16 news spring 2018
               2018
Specialist
                                                          Round yourSupport
                                                                       way

a Gruffalo-themed storytelling           such as gardening and a summer
event at St Alban’s School.              picnic already planned.
For the second session, children         Julie Graham, Older Persons
from the nursery came to the             Housing Officer, said: “This is
sheltered scheme with their              a great opportunity for our
musical instruments for a music          sheltered residents to interact with
and movement session.                    the younger generation and help
                                         reduce the negative impacts of
At a further get-together the            social isolation.
children learned more about the
lives of residents living in sheltered   “We’re looking forward to the
accommodation.                           sessions coming up and the
                                         possibility of working with
And the group will continue to           St Alban’s School and Nursery
spend time together following the        on future projects.”
initial six sessions, with activities

 To find out more about our sheltered housing call 0191 433 5359
 or email shelteredhousing@gatesheadhousing.co.uk

                                                                                17
There are lots of things to
                       consider, and you might be worried
                                     about where to start.

 Through one-to-one sessions,
 our partner organisation
 2 Way Tenancy Solutions
 can help you with:
 u   Finding a home
 u   Managing your money
 u   Managing a tenancy
                                      To find out more or book a
 u   Living on your own
                                      place, contact 2 Way Tenancy
 u   Keeping a tenancy                Solutions CIC:
 u   Skills to find a job.            Phone: 0191 490 1731
                                      Mobile: 07568 452 145
                                      Email: advice@2waytenancy.
                                             co.uk
18 news spring 2018
Making a difference
                                                      Specialist Support

Apply for a
Community Fund grant
The housing company’s Community Fund is celebrating reaching a
milestone of £500,000 in cash grants which have helped charities and
community groups across Gateshead.
If you run a group that works with       Since 2007, we have invested half
housing company tenants, why not         a million pounds in organisations
apply for support too?                   that support our residents. Another
                                         £250,000 worth of ‘in-kind’ work
The fund, which is managed by the        has also been provided by us and
Community Foundation Tyne &              our partners to make physical
Wear and Northumberland, would           improvements to community
particularly welcome applications        centres and other spaces.
from groups who support the
health and wellbeing of our oldest       We have helped a wide variety of
and youngest tenants, and help           groups from health and wellbeing
with issues around welfare reform,       sessions for the Gateshead Older
poverty, and hate crime.                 People’s Assembly to equipment
                                         for the young members at
If this sounds like your organisation,   Gateshead Team Gym.
apply now for a grant of up to
£5,000 (this could be in cash or to
the value of in-kind work that we
can offer).

 Apply at the Community Foundation website before Tuesday 31 July
 www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply
 Want to know more? Contact Jon Goodwin at the Community
 Foundation at jg@communityfoundation.org.uk or 0191 222 0945.

                                                                            19
Grant helps young people
   get skills for work
   Skills4Work Gateshead has been
   providing more opportunities
   to local young adults thanks
   to a grant from The Gateshead
   Housing Company’s Community
   Fund.
   The £4,160 grant has enabled
   the charity to run a fortnightly
   Community Café at Fusion
   Studios in Birtley to get young       The aim of the café sessions is
   people learning new skills and        to provide positive wellbeing
   gaining confidence in the world       activities in a safe, respectful and
   of work.                              welcoming environment.
   Skills4Work supports young            Skills4Work has also taken the
   adults aged 18-30 with a variety      Community Café idea on the
   of disabilities and/or mental         road to The Gateshead Housing
   health conditions to make the         Company’s sheltered schemes in
   difficult transition from education   Birtley, reducing social isolation
   to the workplace.                     by providing refreshments,
   The Community Café involves           entertainment and conversation
   all aspects of running a café,        to 110 older residents.
   including preparing food. It          Tracey Wallace, from Skills4Work
   also provides free craft sessions,    Gateshead, said: “The Community
   entertainment, and manicures.         Café is a great way for young

20 news spring 2018
Making a difference
                                                                  Specialist Support

people to learn new skills and
gain workplace experience.
“The intergenerational aspect
of the project is beneficial to
the health and wellbeing of the
young people and also those
living in the sheltered schemes.”
Since 2006, the Community Fund
has awarded cash and in-kind                     To find out more about
grants totalling over £700,000                   Skills4Work Gateshead visit
to more than 120 groups across                   www.skills4work.org
Gateshead.

Photo: Glass printing at a Community Café session at Fusion Studios, Birtley

                                                                                  21
Estate issues tackled in
    East Gateshead
    The Gateshead Housing                and causing damage to residents’
    Company has been making              cars, dumping rubbish in gardens,
    significant improvements to a        and breaking several windows.
    Leam Lane estate.
                                         To tackle the problem two
    Last summer residents’ quality       injunctions were raised against
    of life was affected by late-night   the main perpetrators while the
    parties and noisy disturbances.      neighbourhood policing team
    This involved large congregations    conducted regular patrols of the
    of visitors who caused further       street. Despite making it clear
    nuisance by fighting in the street   that further anti-social behaviour
                                         would not be tolerated one of
                                         the residents breached their
                                         injunction by making threatening
                                         comments. This resulted in a
                                         six-week prison sentence, and an
                                         application has now been made
                                         to evict them from their home.
                                         Over the past few months the
                                         issues have stopped and residents
                                         once again have peace and quiet.
                                         As some of the anti-social
                                         behaviour occurred in residents’
                                         rear gardens, we have recently
                                         carried out works using
                                         Sustainable Communities Funding

22 news spring 2018
Making a difference
                                                          Specialist Support

to help design out issues. This        “We wanted to follow on from
has involved removing rubbish,         the action taken against those
cutting back trees, and reinstating    causing anti-social behaviour and
fencing so that residents have         environmental problems to ensure
individual gardens.                    residents could feel safe and live in
                                       an area they feel proud of.
John Meldrum, Neighbourhood
Relations Team Manager, said:          “The work to tidy the gardens and
“Our team has worked hard with         build fences has made a huge
partner agencies to improve            improvement.”
this estate and tackle the small
minority who have caused               Photos: The Sheraton estate before and after
                                       the improvement works
problems.

 We want everyone to feel safe and happy in their home. If you are affected
 by neighbourhood nuisance, contact your housing office or use our
 confidential online form at http://www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/asb-form/

                                                                                      23
Dates for your diary
    April
    • 17 April, 10:30am, Family Story Walk
      The adventures of Bumble Bear, Central Library,
      Prince Consort Road. Under 5 years. £1 entry.
      Call to book 0191 433 8420.

    • 21 April, 10:30am, Coffee and Cake
      Coffee and cake is organised by members of
      St Mary’s Heritage Group Gateshead.
      For information about the group and other
      events visit: www. smhgg.org.uk
      Fully accessible – bring your carer for free.

    • Heritage Reading Group
      - next session Saturday 28 April, 10am-11:30am
      St Mary’s Heritage Centre. £5 annual subscription. This friendly group
      is always on the lookout for new members who enjoy reading. You’ll
      be provided with a book to read every month, and the group meets
      to discuss their thoughts over a cuppa. Call 0191 433 4699.

24 news
   news spring
        spring2018
               2018
Dates for your
                                                     Specialist    diary
                                                                Support

May
• 12 May, 10am–3:30pm, Spring Craft Fair
  £1 on the door, no tickets required.
  St Mary’s Heritage Centre. Craft and food
  stalls, delicious homemade baking and hot
  refreshments.
• 12 May, 12pm-3pm, Dunston Festival
  Dunston UTS Football Club. Free family event
  with sports, rides, and refreshments.
• 29 May–1 June, 10am–4pm
  Victorian Playground: Half Term Fun
  St Mary’s Heritage Centre.
  A range of Victorian toys and games for you
  to try. Have a go with a yo-yo, cup and ball
  or spinning top, or try your luck with skittles
  and dominoes. Activities are available all day,
  just drop in. Refreshments also available.
  FREE.

June
• 16 June, 11am-3pm, Teams Community Festival
  Redheugh Football Club. Free family event with live entertainment.

July
• 16–22 July, GemArts Masala Festival
  This mix and blend of the finest South Asian arts and culture brings the
  north east alive. Keep checking www.gemarts.org for details.

                                                                             25
HomeRepairs
   Report non-emergency repairs
   Web:     www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/repairfinder
   Email:   repairs@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
   Text:    ‘REPAIR’ and your message to 0778 620 8277
   Call:    0800 408 6008 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm (and
            until 6.30pm on a Monday).
   Report emergency repairs on 0800 408 6008 at any time, seven days
   a week. Calls to and from HomeRepairs are recorded for training and
   monitoring purposes.

   Your rent
   View your rent account status at any time by logging on to the
   “MyTGHCaccount” online service.
   To create an account just follow the link on our website homepage
   www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk

   Easy ways to pay
   • Direct Debit – the simplest, safest way
   • Pay online or get a balance at www.gateshead.gov.uk
   • Debit or credit card - call our automated 24-hour service on
     0800 052 3455
   • At any PayPoint outlet or Post Office using your rent payment card.
     Find your nearest outlet at www.paypoint.co.uk/paypointlocator
   If you have any queries about your payments, or want advice about
   arranging to pay off arrears, contact your Rent and Income Team at
   rent@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or 0191 433 6150.

26 news
   news spring
        spring2018
               2018
Essential information
                                                    Specialist Support

Finding a home
The Tyne and Wear Homes weekly bidding cycle opens at 00.01am each
Thursday and closes at 11.59pm each Monday. To find out more ask at
your housing office or contact the Lettings Team:
Web: www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/find-a-home-in-gateshead
Email: tyneandwearhomes@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Text: ‘CBL’ and your message to 0778 620 8277
Calls to and from Tyne and Wear Homes are recorded for training and
monitoring purposes.

Housing offices
1st floor, Gateshead Civic Centre (Central)
Call: 0191 433 2730
Email: centraloffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Gateshead Council @ Birtley
Call: 0191 433 6102
Email: birtleyoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Gateshead Council @ Blaydon
Call: 0191 433 6202
Email: blaydonoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Gateshead Council @ Leam Lane
Call: 0191 433 5888
Email: leamlaneoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Wrekenton Hub
Call: 0191 433 5822
Email: wrekentonoffice@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Find opening times, addresses and maps for all housing offices on our
website at www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/your-housing-office/

                                                                        27
Earn while you learn!
Are you aged 16 to 24?
Do you have or expect to get three GCSEs at Grade C or above
(or equivalent qualification) including maths and English?
Then an apprenticeship with The Gateshead Housing Company could be for you.

Apprenticeships we offer include:
• Business administration         • Plumber          • Plasterer
• Electrician                     • Joiner
This full-time apprenticeship scheme could be the opportunity to achieve a
successful and rewarding career in local government.

Want to know more? Call: 0191 433 5299
Email: apprenticeships@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
You can also read