NewsSpring 2019 Customer Scrutiny Panel latest review - See pages 14-15 - The Gateshead Housing Company
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news
The Gateshead Housing Company
Spring 2019
Customer
Scrutiny Panel
latest review
See pages 14-15
Also in this issue...
• New homes for
Low Fell
• Volunteer
opportunities
• Prize competition
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 ۔
2 news winter 2019
news spring 2019
Welcome to The Gateshead
Housing Company news Spring 2019.
Our customers are invaluable in And I’d like to thank everyone who
helping us to shape our services, and completed the online card-sort
this issue brings the latest Customer exercise as part of our website
Scrutiny Panel review, which focuses research. Look out for more
on the customer service delivered by opportunities to give your feedback
neighbourhood housing offices (see as the project develops.
p14-15). I hope you enjoy reading TGHC
We also shine a spotlight news. To receive future issues
on our Rent and Income online rather than on paper,
team, who offer many email us at communications@
practical support gatesheadhousing.co.uk.
services that could
help you manage
your tenancy
(see p4-5). Paul Foy
Chair of the Board
Contents
4 Your Rent and Income Service 18 Edberts House – oh yes, they did!
6 Estate Walkabouts results 20 Flowering The Nest
8 Free cuppa at Thought Foundation 22 Competition time
10 Could you volunteer? 24 Dates for your diary
12 District heating work completed 26 Essential information
13 PPI help
Written by the Communications Team – 0191 433 5386, 0191
14 Customer Scrutiny Panel – latest 433 5382, or email communications@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
review Designed by Gateshead Council.
Photographs by Steve Brock, Kerrie Slavin and Iain Lynn.
16 New two-bed houses for Low Fell
17 Felling Food Network
3 news autumn 2018 3
Your Rent and Income Service
Our Rent and Income Service does much more than collect rent and
charges. They also offer several different types of support to help
tenants manage their money and be happy in their home.
Here’s a guide to the help that’s available if you need it.
New Tenancy Team sign up all Advice and Support Team help
introductory tenancies, meeting residents to navigate the often
the tenant in person and finding complex and frustrating benefit
out any support they need as systems.
early as possible. To make it easy for customers to
Rent and Income Team collects get help, members of the team
outstanding money owed on are at Jobcentre Plus and Citizens
rent accounts, including rent Advice every day.
owed by people who have The team takes on a wide range
moved out, and people who rent of work. In a given week an
a garage from us. The team also officer could help a customer
deals with housing benefit, court get a better energy deal, help
costs and rechargeable repairs. with grant applications for things
The team’s main aim is to keep like household appliances and
people in their homes. They talk carpets, register for GP services,
to tenants to make sure they are or simply help to provide food
making the most of the support and essentials. Recently an
available. Advice and Support Officer
secured £6,000 in backdated
These support needs could be, benefit for one tenant.
for example, fuel poverty, food
poverty, zero income, or lack of Debt Advice Team meets with
GP or health support. customers in need to assess
their debt and agree on an
appropriate course of action.
4 news spring 2019
In your home
Outcomes can range from Allowance assessments, so the
offering basic debt and money customer can focus on looking for
management advice, liaising with work.
creditors and, at the end of the They can help with travel
scale, helping people through expenses, clothing for interviews,
insolvency. childcare costs, course funding,
In 2017-18 the team made and creating a CV.
approximately £585,000 of In 2017-18, helped by our
financial gains for customers. Employment Officer, 30 people
Employment Officer can help started work.
with all aspects of getting a job
and preparing to join the job If you think the Advice and
market. Support Team could help
They will also help to tackle issues you, call 0191 433 6161 or
such as food or fuel poverty, social email adviceandsupport@
inclusion, mental health support, gatesheadhousing.co.uk
addiction support and attending
Employment and Support
5
Estate Walkabouts
September and October 2018
In the Autumn 2018 issue of The Gateshead
Housing Company news we reported on the
issues
. identified in our first Estate Walkabouts,
which took place in April/May 2018.
Here you can read about the issues identified in
our latest round of Estate Walkabouts.
In response to your feedback, this time we have
produced a separate set of results for each area
of Gateshead.
As with April/May the main three issues identified were:
gardens | repairs | fly-tipping
64%
We encourage customers to get plot of land with bushes was not being
involved in the Estate Walkabouts. As maintained. Rubbish was collecting,
well as the issues on the page opposite, and fly-tipping led to a vermin
customers help us to identify schemes problem. Youths were also gathering in
we can support using the Sustainable the area. All of this was causing concern
Communities Fund (SCF). Last year to the elderly resident of the nearby
we identified 38 SCF schemes, one of bungalow. Using the SCF, Gateshead
which is described below. Council’s Street Scene team will remove
the bushes to leave the side of the
On the Redemarsh Estate, Leam Lane, bungalow more open. We will also
Neighbourhood Housing Officer Jan install a closed-board fence, making the
Pooley (pictured) noted that a corner bungalow more secure.
To make a suggestion or find out more about how you
can help improve your estate, contact your local housing
team (details on p27).
Or watch our video, where Neighbourhood Housing
Officer Natalie Thorburn tells us all there is to know
about Estate Walkabouts.
Find it at our YouTube channel “GatesheadHousingCo”.
6 news spring 2019
BD19_3953 Estate Walk about A5 - March 2019.indd 1 20/03/2019 12:42
West area (Dunston, Whickham, Blaydon, Chopwell, High Spen, Ryton and Teams)
79 Gardens 3 Dropped kerb
64 Housing company repair 3 Health and safety
Issues 29 Grass cutting 3 Street lighting
identified 29 Trees 2 Dog fouling
16 Private sector housing 2 Graffiti
260
13 Fly-tipping 1 Unauthorised alterations
9 Drains 0 Vehicle nuisance
7 Paving 39 Walkabouts 33 customers involved
East area (Felling, Windy Nook, Heworth, Leam Lane, Wardley and Pelaw)
176 Gardens 7 Dropped kerb
32 Housing company repair 1 Health and safety
Issues 11 Grass cutting 3 Street lighting
identified 25 Trees 2 Dog fouling
6 Private sector housing 2 Graffiti
343
62 Fly-tipping 2 Unauthorised alterations
6 Drains 2 Vehicle nuisance
6 Paving 26 Walkabouts 16 customers involved
Central area (town centre, Bensham, Lobley Hill, Deckham and Sheriff Hill)
123 Gardens 0 Dropped kerb
15 Housing company repair 6 Health and safety
Issues 26 Grass cutting 1 Street lighting
identified 34 Trees 1 Dog fouling
5 Private sector housing 7 Graffiti
280
40 Fly-tipping 4 Unauthorised alterations
2 Drains 2 Vehicle nuisance
14 Paving 24 Walkabouts 41 customers involved
South area (Low Fell, Lamesley, Birtley and Wrekenton)
151 Gardens 6 Dropped kerb
70 Housing company repair 4 Health and safety
Issues 50 Grass cutting 10 Street lighting
identified 42 Trees 3 Dog fouling
29 Private sector housing 8 Graffiti
452
35 Fly-tipping 3 Unauthorised alterations
3 Drains 8 Vehicle nuisance
30 Paving 33 Walkabouts 7
40 customers involved
Claim your free cuppa at Thought Foundation Birtley If you haven’t been to fantastic community arts centre Thought Foundation yet, we have the perfect incentive – simply take this page along to the centre’s café to claim a free hot drink on us. Thought Foundation, Clarity House, Durham Road, Birtley, DH3 2TB, along from the leisure centre and opposite Jewson. Terms and conditions: Voucher can only be used to buy a hot drink costing up to £2.50. One voucher per person per visit. Voucher has no cash value. Must be used by 30 June 2019. Offer limited to first 1,000 claimants.
Round your way
The centre is very child-friendly,
and there’s lots for little ones to
do, including a free play area with
gender neutral ‘non-toys’ such
as cardboard boxes, drainpipes
and building blocks. There’s
also a supersized sand pit and a
blackboard. There’s also a small gift
shop selling beautiful locally
There’s stuff happening at made products.
Thought Foundation most days of
the week, including music and art Café opening times:
classes for pre-schoolers, kids and Monday-Wednesday 9am-4pm;
adults. Some events are free, with Thursday and Friday 9am-6pm;
most costing £2-3. Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm.
To keep up to date with what’s on, visit their Facebook page
@thoughtfoundation or website www.thoughtfoundation.co.uk
9
Could you volunteer?
Teamwork Development Trust CIC poverty and distress to lead safe,
are looking for volunteers for two comfortable home lives.
of their charities.
Lunch club volunteers
Teams and Bensham Community (Teams Estate, Gateshead)
Care is a charity that offers day
care services and activities for Any Monday, Tuesday,
older people living in the central Wednesday and Friday from
and inner west communities of mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Gateshead. They provide lunch Teams and Bensham Community
clubs every weekday, a weekly Care would like volunteers for
men’s group, a card making their lunch clubs for older people.
group, gentle aerobics and a The main task is to chat to the
monthly walking group. attendees so they feel welcome
Foundations Furniture is a charity and included. Other tasks include:
that collects unwanted, usable - helping to set out and put away
furniture, electrical items and any activity equipment
appliances to help households in
10 news spring 2019Round your way
- helping attendees to take part in Foundations Furniture
activities if they need it Volunteers (Teams Estate,
- helping the team to serve Gateshead)
refreshments and lunches and Mondays to Fridays – any
clear away afterwards. morning and/or afternoon.
Men’s Group Volunteer Foundations would like volunteers
(Teams Estate, Gateshead) to help in their showrooms,
warehouses and collection/
Thursdays – mid-mornings to delivery service. The main tasks
mid-afternoons include:
Teams and Bensham Community - helping to unload/load the van
Care would like a volunteer to
join to help local older gentlemen - moving furniture and
have a great day at their centre. household items to display
The main task is to chat to the areas
gentlemen, including any new - moving any sold items to the
attendees, so they feel welcome dispatch area ready for delivery
and included. Other tasks include:
- basic repair/restoration of
- helping to set out and put away furniture that may be damaged
any activity equipment during transit
- helping gentlemen to take part - helping the driver to collect and
in activities if they need it deliver furniture
- helping the team to serve - helping to keep the showroom
refreshments and lunches and and warehouses clean and tidy.
clear away afterwards.
Email vacancies@teamwork-dt.co.uk or call Bernie or Michelle
on 0191 490 0945 for more information.
11District heating
work completed
In Autumn 2017 we told
you about a new scheme
to install district heating
systems to seven multi-
storey blocks in Gateshead.
The project is part funded
by the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF).
We’re pleased to announce
that the work is now
complete at all the blocks
In addition to the updated
- Regent Court in Central
heating, the flats all have new
Gateshead and the six at Harlow
windows, and at Regent Court
Green - Acomb, Bedale, Ripley,
‘curtain walling’ at the front
Willerby, Barford and Stretford
and back has replaced the old
Courts.
wooden façade.
Residents are now enjoying the
Gateshead Council’s Service
benefits of an eco-friendly up-to-
Director Peter Udall said: “The
date system that provides instant
modernised heating system will
hot water and fully controllable
not only help reduce bills but will
heating.
also contribute to the health and
The flats all have individual smart wellbeing of our tenants.
meters to allow tenants and
“The scheme also helps the
leaseholders to keep track of how
Council achieve its commitment
much heat they are using.
to reducing domestic carbon
12 news spring 2019High-rise news
emissions by reducing energy heating systems with low carbon
consumption and replacing old alternatives.”
If you are interested in renting a home in one of these blocks,
please email the Lettings Team at
tyneandwearhomes@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
PPI help
Have you ever had Payment Protection Insurance (PPI)?
If so, it is likely you were Gateshead Council’s Fair
mis-sold and are entitled to Trading Team will help
compensation. Even if you’ve residents with any such claim,
tried to claim in the past entirely free of charge. They can
but were rejected, it’s worth guide you through the process
looking into it again, as a recent of a claim, or advise on how to
court judgement has changed pursue it yourself.
the rules on the definition of a
mis-sale. However, you need to act
now because the deadline for
In 2017 the Supreme Court making a claim is 29 August
decided that if more than 2019.
50% of your PPI cost went as
commission to the lender and For more information call
this wasn’t explained, you’re 0191 433 3930.
entitled to compensation. The Requests for help will be dealt
only condition is that the PPI with on a first come, first served
had to be active at some point basis, subject to capacity within
after 2008. the team.
13Customer Scrutiny Panel –
latest review
Our Customer Scrutiny Panel, made up of tenants and leaseholders,
carry out their own independent reviews of the housing company’s
services, making recommendations for improvements.
Panel Chair David Chambers takes us through their latest review and
what will happen next.
We have recently completed and consistency of customer
a review of customer service service provided.
delivered by Neighbourhood
Housing Offices. We chose this “We carried out the review
area to review because we know through a combination of
these teams deal with a wide mystery shopping by telephone
range of customer enquiries. Our and email as well as holding
review aimed to assess the level focus groups with employees.
Involvement and Diversity Officer Simon Hand (second from left) with
Customer Scrutiny Panel members Chris Sleight, Clare Butterfield,
David Chambers and Pauline Bedford.
14 news spring 2019Get involved
• Update training and guidance
for employees to support them
to deliver excellent customer
service
• Improve internal communications
to help deliver services
effectively.
“Overall the review found that “I presented the findings to the
the Neighbourhood Housing Customers and Communities
teams demonstrated a strong Committee in February, making
commitment to delivering 25 specific recommendations
excellent customer service. for service improvements. The
housing company is now putting
“We also identified some areas for
together a response.
improvement:
• Provide consistent and clearly “All of the Panel members are very
defined levels of customer much looking forward to seeing
service our recommendations put into
practice.
• Raise awareness with customers
about the range of services
provided and how to access
them
You can read the full report on the housing company website
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/gateshead-housing-customer-
scrutiny-panel/
To find out more about the Customer Scrutiny Panel email
involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk or call 0191 433 5357.
15Keelman Homes
New two-bed houses
for Low Fell
Keelman Homes Limited is set to
provide new quality affordable
homes for rent in the Low Fell area
of Gateshead, in partnership with
Gateshead Trading Company, the
Council’s trading company, who
are developing the Beacon Living
estate.
The six two-bedroomed homes The affordable rent homes
will be available in Summer 2019 offered by Keelman Homes
at affordable rent* to people who will be The Hazel house type,
are registered with Tyne and Wear as shown in red on the plan.
Homes.
The new housing is just
The homes are part of the Valley a couple of miles from the A1.
View development, which will It is close to intu Metrocentre
also provide 30 two-, three and and several schools rated as
four-bedroomed homes for sale “Outstanding” by Ofsted.
by Beacon Living.
For more information on the new homes, visit
www.keelmanhomes.org or www.beaconliving.co.uk
email enquiries@keelmanhome.org or call 0191 433 5395.
To join the housing register with Tyne and Wear Homes, go to
https://www.tyneandwearhomes.org.uk/
* What is “affordable rent”? If a property is“Affordable rent”, it costs no more than
80% of the average rent for local private lettings, inclusive of service charges.
16 news spring 2019Making a difference
Felling Food Network
A new initiative to tackle food of fresh food and store cupboard
poverty in Felling has just been ingredients.
launched.
How you can help
Felling Food Network collects
You can donate food at one of
surplus food, which would
several collection locations in
otherwise go to waste, and
Felling:
donations from members of the
local community. It is then made • Christchurch
into parcels to provide three days’ • Felling library
worth of food to those most in • Felling Community Centre
need.
• St Mary’s Church
The Network, which is based at • Happy Feet Dance
Felling Community Centre, has • The Old Fox pub.
successfully applied to be part
of FareShare, which is the UK’s Please contact Community
largest charity fighting hunger Engagement Officer Garry Stamp
and food waste. Members of (garrystamp@gateshead.gov.uk
FareShare receive a weekly supply or 0191 433 2910) to find out the
days and times these venues are
open. You can also contact Garry
if you’re interested in becoming a
volunteer.
Read more about
FareShare at their website:
fareshare.org.uk
17Edberts House – oh yes,
they did!
Thanks to a grant from The trips and learning opportunities
Gateshead Housing Company’s for local residents.
Community Fund, Gateshead
charity Edberts House brought The pantomime aimed to
the local community together celebrate and support cohesion
with a fun-filled pantomime. in the community by bringing 50
cast and crew members together
Edberts House is based in the from the Gateshead area to
High Lanes estate of Gateshead. rehearse and perform the show,
It’s a community project which The Princess and the Peas.
provides activities, groups, family
18 news spring 2019Making a difference
Pantomime fun at Edberts House
Mark Harrison, Community especially in more disadvantaged
Development and Youth Worker at areas, and this project has done
Edberts House, said: “Activities like this very well.”
this create community spirit, with
all age ranges working together, Since 2007, through the housing
breaking down barriers, helping company’s Community Fund
make the local area a better place at the Community Foundation,
for residents to live.” we have invested half a million
pounds in organisations that
Jon Goodwin, Senior Philanthropy support our residents. Another
Advisor at the Community £250,000 worth of ‘in-kind’ work
Foundation, said: “We were has also been provided by us and
delighted to make this grant to our partners to make physical
Edberts House. One of the aims improvements to community
of the Community Fund is to centres and other spaces.
make local communities stronger,
There’s more information about the Community Fund at our website:
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/a-guide-to-our-community-fund/
To find out more about Edberts House visit www.edbertshouse.org
19Flowering The Nest
An East Gateshead estate is set to look bloomin’ marvellous this
Spring thanks to The Gateshead Housing Company.
Children from Pattinson House’s House Steering Group and
Creative Caterpillar toddler group children from St Wilfrid’s R.C.
took part in a bulb planting Primary School Gardening
session recently in Gateshead’s Project.
Nest Estate.
Jane Brownlee, Neighbourhood
The kiddies helped plant spring Housing Officer, said: “The
flower crocus bulbs around the children really enjoyed helping
estate, which is close to Felling. with the planting.
And the youngsters were joined “The bulbs will produce flowers
by members of the Pattinson of all colours, and they’ve been
Community Development Worker Lindsy Thompson (far left), Neighbourhood Housing Officers
Jane Brownlee (standing) and Angelique Scannell (far right), with Simon Ragan and Neil
Davison from Gateshead Council’s Street Scene and members of the toddler group.
20 news spring 2019Making a difference
planted along the main bus route neighbourhoods managed by the
into the estate, so they can be housing company and increase
enjoyed by everyone.” a sense of community in our
residents.
Funding of £375 for the bulb
planting was provided through Residents wanting to suggest
The Gateshead Housing ideas for similar estate
Company’s Sustainable improvements should get in
Communities Fund. touch with their local housing
team (see p27 for contact
The Sustainable Communities details) or email enquiries@
Fund aims to improve the gatesheadhousing.co.uk
sustainability of the estates and
For more information about events at Pattinson House, visit their
Facebook page www.facebook.com/oldfoldnestconversation/
21Competition
Fancy winning a fun day out for
you and your family?
Enter our competition for kids aged 16 and under, to win your choice
of one of three fantastic prizes:
• A family cinema ticket for Vue cinemas
• A family ticket for a home game at Gateshead Football Club
• A family bowling pass at Namco Funscape MetroCentre
The winner of our Winter 2019
competition, 10-year-old Leah
Bingley, chose the Gateshead
Football Club tickets as her
prize. She and brother Taylor
(pictured, with Customer
Involvement Support Officer
Lisa Stewart) are looking
forward to cheering on The
Heed at a home game next
season.
22 news spring 2019Do it online
The grid (below) contains all the words listed except one.
To enter simply tell us which word is missing and which prize you’d like.
Please include your name, age and address.
Email your answer to involve@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Closing date to enter is Thursday 16 May. We’ll choose the winner at
random from all the correct entries shortly after that. Good luck!
L E N A P Y N I T U R C S T T ADVICE
S W T J M I P I F N N N I N N EMPLOYMENT
C E C R L J Y A O Q W I N E E
FOUNDATION
M U M K O X N I N X S M C M M
INCLUSION
S W N O A P T H T T E H L Y Y
O E M U H A P T D C O L U A O KEELMAN HOMES
X C X R D N E U I B R M S P L PANTOMIME
N W O N C A A V S V Q O I L P PAYMENT
S I U S M N D M G U I V O M M
PLANTING
C O D W Z A F D L S H K N K E
PROTECTION
F P O W D P R O T E C T I O N
C R G N I T N A L P E C Q E E SCRUTINY PANEL
K P I X U O G Z I Z H K G L W SUPPORT
F C N C C Q I O H R V K C O K TEAMWORK
O L H C T B E O K K J O C R W
VOLUNTEER
Terms and conditions: By entering this competition, you are
agreeing to take part in future publicity, including having your name
and photograph published in this magazine and on our website and
social media. Entrants must be aged 16 or under.
23Dates for your diary
Easter Craft Activities Late Shows 2019
Thursday 18 April Saturday 18 May – 7-11pm
10am – 12pm
Newcastle and Gateshead’s
St. Mary’s Heritage Centre. free late-night culture crawl
£2 – just turn up. is back. Museums, galleries,
studio collectives and landmark
A fun event for all the family. historical buildings will come
Make your own Easter basket together to offer visitors one-
complete with goodies and a off events including hands-on
mini chick! Colouring and sticky workshops, behind-the-scenes
crafts for younger children. tours, performances and parties.
Visit www.thelateshows.org.uk
for the full programme.
GemArts Masala Festival
15 – 21 July
The GemArts award winning
Masala Festival returns with
Tell A Story Day the finest South Asian Arts
Saturday 27 April – 10:30am and Culture in the North East
featuring music, poetry, dance,
Central Library, Prince Consort exhibitions, workshops and more.
Road, Gateshead. Free – just turn
up. Keep checking
www.gemarts.org for details.
Suitable for all ages.
24 news spring2019Dates for your diary
Regular Activities
The Comfrey Project St Chad’s Community
Culture Hub weekly creative
Project
community drop-in sessions Parent and Toddler Group –
every Friday from 10am to 3pm. every Wednesday during term
time, 9:30am – 11am
Windmill Hills Centre, Chester
Place, Gateshead, NE8 1QB A fun social group for pre-school
children and their carers - £1.50
Call 0191 447 7801 or email
info@thecomfreyproject.org.uk St Chad’s Community Project,
21 Liddell Terrace, Gateshead,
Gateshead Older People’s NE8 1YN
Assembly Call 0191 490 1032 to find out
Groups for over 50s at Deckham more.
Village Hall. Call 0191 438 1721
for more information. Teams and Bensham
Singing Group – Tuesdays from
Community Care
1pm to 2:30pm Daily activity clubs held at
Eslington Communal Lounge.
Art Group – Alternate Thursdays
Freshly cooked two course lunch
from 10:30am to 12:30pm
with a range of activities including
Craft Group – Thursdays from arts, crafts, bingo, days out and
11am to 3pm. more. Transport provided.
Reminiscence Group – Alternate Call 0191 460 0297 to find out
Thursdays from 10:30am to more.
12:30pm
25HomeRepairs
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 spring 2019Essential information
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 5822
Email: wrekentonoffice@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/
27Around Your Way
The latest news
direct to your inbox!
Have you subscribed to our monthly
The children at Gateshead Leisure Centre, with staff from GLAS and Refugee Community Network Officer
Victoria Freeman (wearing checked shirt).
customer e-newsletter yet?
Victoria
Housing Freeman, Refugee
company e-news is emailed to subscribers at the start of each
Communit
month, keeping them up to date with what’s happening at The Gateshead
Housing Company. E-news bridges the gap between editions of TGHC
News to bring you more current news, events, and job vacancies.
Read the latest issue and subscribe at:
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28You can also read
