Free learning courses

The newsletter for Incommunities customers

Issue 55 Spring/Summer

2018

Would you like to brush up on your English and Maths skills? Find out more on page 4

Free learning courses

managing your moneypage 16-17

homes fire safety advicepage 8-9

plus!fantastic prizes to be won

Keighley tenant in swim challengepage 3

also in this issue...

Please recycle your @home newsletter

Incommunities Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Society Act 2014. Registered in England with the Financial Conduct Authority No. 30178R.

Registered address: The Quays, Victoria Street, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD17 7BN.

“We continue to invest in building new

homes and modernising existing properties for

the benefit of our residents.”

Contacting usThere are lots of ways of

getting in touch with our teams.

As well as phoning us, you can email or text us or use our new web chat – click ‘chat live’ on

our website www.incommunities.co.uk

Our main email enquiries address is: [email protected]

Our main customer telephone number is: 01274 257777

Message from Geraldine Howley

WelcomeA warm welcome to your Spring/Summer edition of @home.The start of 2018 has been a particularly eventful time as we celebrated 15 years in business.

Work continues to help prepare customers for the rollout of a new benefit, Universal Credit. Following its introduction across Kirklees, Universal Credit is set to be rolled out in Bradford District in June and you can be assured we will keep residents fully informed about this major benefits reform.

This month has brought changes to our boards designed to improve the way we are run and make decisions.

A great deal of national news continues to focus on the shortage of affordable housing. As a group, I am pleased to see we are making great progress in delivering more new homes – over 120 by the end of the year.

By 2025 we aim to have added 1000 more, offering local people an important step on the housing ladder.

To find out more about all these developments and more about what’s happening across the group why not take a few minutes to enjoy your latest @home?

Geraldine HowleyIncommunities Group Chief Executive

You can show your support for Mavis onlinewww.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ianbraithwaite1

I don’t know about you but I’m delighted to welcome Spring and say goodbye to what’s seemed a long Winter.It leaves me excited about the year ahead.It’s fair to say the group, like all other housing associations, are operating in a challenging environment but I am determined that we will stay true to our vision of ‘improving lives’. Your newsletter shows many examples of how we remain focused on meeting your needs.

2017 finished on a real high with news that we had retained our top rating from our regulator.

We have made a positive start to 2018 with the introduction of a more streamlined board structure.

Looking ahead

with Jan

Jan OrmondroydCommon Board Chair

This includes a Common Board replacing our three main boards and a new Operations Committee which will monitor our services and how we perform. Importantly, customer representation and input will play a key role in these changes. If you would like to get more involved in our work please click www.incommunities.co.uk/get-involved

In September we will be celebrating Sadeh Lok’s 30th birthday and plans are being drawn up to mark this fabulous achievement.

Enjoy the brighter days ahead.

Farish House resident Mavis Richardson is getting ready for the challenge of a lifetime to support a local dementia charity.

‘Magic Mavis’, as she is known to her friends, is planning to celebrate her 83rd birthday in May by swimming the equivalent of her years in lengths at her local pool.

She aims to raise over £1,000 for Dementia Friendly Keighley, a group that support people

with dementia and their carers.

Her challenge is made all the more tough because Mavis lives with constant back pain and numbness in her feet after an accident five years ago.

Mavis is still very active and loves swimming. She also helps organise social events and music shows at Farish House. Many residents are already getting behind her swim challenge.

Mavis will tackle her swim challenge at Keighley Leisure Centre pool over three days, starting on Monday, 14th May.

She said: “I can’t wait to take on my big swim and raise as much money as possible towards helping people with dementia. With the kind support of family and friends I’m determined to reach my target.”

Keighley tenant gets ready for

charity swim

Photo shows ‘Magic Mavis’ getting ready

for her swim challenge.

IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 32

Would you like to brush up on your English and Maths skills?Nicki Woods from our Community Resilience Team runs regular free courses at six local centres.

The sessions are open to anyone aged 16 and over. They include the option of taking Level 1 and 2 NVQ qualifications in English and maths.

Nicki said: “The training is very flexible. You can choose to follow an accredited training pathway or come along to learn at your own pace.”

Over 30 people are currently attending local courses. They include tenants who are looking to get a job or go to college and people who left

Get on board for free learning courses

They run as follows:Café West, Allerton • Mondays, 9.30am –11.30am

Rockwell Centre, Thorpe Edge • Tuesdays, 9.30am – 11.30am

Holme Wood Connect, Holme Wood • Tuesdays, 1pm – 3pm

Photo shows residents taking part in an English class run by Nicki Woods (centre) at The Gateway Centre.

school without qualifications and want to help their children with their homework.

Casey from Ravenscliffe goes along with her mum to a maths course at the Gateway Centre and said: “I get great one-to-one support from Nicki which is really helping me build my confidence.

“The classes are friendly and it’s making me think about what I want to do next.”

Anna Fryer, Director of Incommunities, Neigh-bourhoods, said: “These courses run by Nicki are helping equip people with the skills to find work, access training and improve their lives.”

If you would like to join a course simply pop along to one of our partner centres or ring Nicki Woods on 01274 254739 or email [email protected].

Windhill Community Centre • Wednesdays, 1pm – 3pm

Gateway Centre, Ravenscliffe • Thursdays, 9.30am – 11.30am (English), 12.30pm – 2.30pm (Maths)

Sandale Centre, Woodside • Thursdays, 3pm – 5.30pm

Busy staff at Incommunities and Sadeh Lok have swum, cycled and rowed to raise £10,000 for different causes in 2017.This included swimming the equivalent of the width of the English Channel in support of the homeless charity, Crisis.

To round off this big challenge, our Group Chief Executive Geraldine Howley led an Incommunities team on the Great North Swim on Lake Windermere.

At Sadeh Lok, colleagues Cath Flooks and Jane Ashcroft completed the Great Scottish Swim to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Clocking up the miles for charity

Not to be outdone, a rowing team joined local companies competing in the Lord Mayor’s Bradford Dragon Boat Festival in aid of the charity, YoungMinds.

To round off the year, staff raised an amazing £1000 for the Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Unit with a prize raffle. Two festive donations were also made by the Group to the Forget Me Not Hospice in Huddersfield and Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

Pictured above – Hussain Brook of Sadeh Lok makes a cheque handover to Emma Kovaleski from the Forget Me Not Hospice. Below, Incommunities’ cycling team get ready for their big ride.

Twenty-seven staff

at our Shipley base got

on their bikes to support the

mental health charity, Mind,

clocking up over 5,000 miles

in the gym, going to and from

work and in weekend

cycle rides.

4 IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 5

Keighley and Ilkley MP John Grogan joined our Group Chief Executive, Geraldine Howley and Common Board Chair, Jan Ormondroyd to cut a big birthday cake.

It proved a great time to look back on many big achievements for Incommunities. This included carrying out a multi-million pound modernisation programme to local homes, building nearly 800 affordable homes, helping 3000 people into work and training 135 construction apprentices.

It’s fair to say the organisation has come a long way since tenants voted to transfer the running of their homes from the Council.

The change kick started a £450 million modernisation programme which started in 2003 in Bierley and Odsal. Three years later, tenants at Holroyd Court were toasting moving into Incommunities first newly completed development.

In 2015 we marked another important milestone when Sadeh Lok housing association joined us. A year later tenants moved into their first new development in many years at Bulay Road in Huddersfield.

In February we celebrated our 15th birthday as a social landlord.

Did you know you can save up to £200 a year by switching your energy supplier?Our Sustainability Team have produced this step-by-step guide to switching using the independent switch service www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/Making the switch is easy and can make a real difference to your fuel bills.

Cake cutting marks special birthday for group

Geraldine Howley said:

“We are very proud of what we’ve achieved in a relatively short time.

“A big thank you to our customers, our boards and involved tenant groups for their support. There are many challenges ahead such as the roll out of Universal Credit, but you can be assured that everyone at Incommunities is focused on our vision of improving lives.”

135 apprentices

trained

£45 million invested in new

homes

2,651 people into

work 37,500 people helped

into homes

Home Energy – save money and switch!

To make even more savings in your home you could:-

• switch to paying by monthly direct debits

• regularly checking your meter readings to see how much energy you’re using

• turn your thermostat down by 1C – this could save you 10% on your bills

• turn your appliances to ‘standby’ mode or use a ‘standby’ saver.

For more energy saving tips go to https://www.incommunities.co.uk/energy-advice

Changes to our board structureWe have made important changes to our board structure to make it simpler and improve the way we make decisions.

A key priority has been to ensure you, our customers, continue to have important powers to scrutinise our work and influence decisions that affect you.

The new structure includes:• an Operations Committee, which monitors our

performance and services. This links to our customer-led Community Trust Panel (CTP) and the work of our customer inspectors who together scrutinise the group’s work. The Operations Committee’s membership includes tenants.

• a Common Board to replace our main Incommunities’ Group Board,

Incommunities Housing Association Board and Sadeh Lok Board. This will be the main decision making body for the organisation.

• in line with Government deregulation rules, rather than allocating places to Councillors and tenants our recruitment to our Operations Committee and CTP is based upon the applicants’ skills and ability to play an active role. Our CTP has a minimum number of tenant members based on panel size.

If you are interested in applying to join our Community Trust Panel please email [email protected] For more information on ways of getting involved in our work and shaping our services click www.incommunities.co.uk/get-involved

Find an independant comparison site:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ consumer/energy/energy-supply/

Have the following to hand:

• Name of current supplier

• Bills for electricity and gas, showing energy use for previous year and type of tariff

• How you currently pay

• How you want to pay in the future

• Your postcode

Enter information, click ‘OK’ and a list of options will be displayed (or the call operator will list the options available)

Choose a tariff

Take meter readings (date of transfer) to check against your first bill NOW

YOU’VE SWITCHED!

1 2 3

4

5

Pictured are Geraldine Howley (second from left) and Jan Ormondroyd with Keighley and Ilkley MP John Grogan (right) and former Incommunities Group Chair, Martin Smith.

6 7IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES

Please remain vigilant to the risk of a fire in your home. Whatever accommodation you live in it is important everyone takes the right steps to protect you, your home and people living around you.

Please read our fire safety check list – it could save lives!• never leave children alone. Keep matches out

of reach and do not let children near cooking and heating appliances when in use

• do not overload electrical sockets - try to keep to one plug per socket

• do not smoke in bed. This is a major cause of fires in the home. Always finish your cigarette before going to bed, and make sure that they are stubbed right out

• never leave candles unattended. Candles are naked flames, make sure you extinguish candles and incense sticks at night

• have your own heaters serviced every year. Make sure they cannot be knocked over and keep them away from furniture and furnishings, also make sure nothing can fall onto the heater

• before going to bed, switch off all electrical appliances. Carefully remove plugs from electrical sockets. Check ashtrays for burning cigarette ends and pipes. Close all internal doors. Check there is nothing blocking the hallway or front door.

Chip pans fires – how to avoid them Did you know nearly 20 people are injured or even killed every day in the UK in kitchen fires caused by deep fat frying?

If you use them never:• fill the pan more than a third full of fat or oil

• leave it unattended when in use

• cook with a chip pan or deep fat fryer if you have been drinking or taken drugs

• and when you’ve finished always turn off your heat.

If your pan catches fire:• do not throw water on it

• turn off the heat

• smother the flames with a damp cloth or lid

• call the fire service if you think the fire has not gone out.

Home appliances – safety adviceAppliances in the home, such as tumble dryers and washing machines can also cause fires. We have teamed up with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to give you these safety tips:

• never leave your tumble dryer or washer unattended when switched on or programmed to run overnight

• clean the filter of any fluff and lint after every use

• don’t cover the vent

• ensure the vent pipe is free of any kinks and not blocked in any way

• with condenser dryers, ensure the water tank is empty and always clean the tray

• never overload your dryer or put items in that have been used to soak up flammable liquids

• ensure your tumble dryer or washer is serviced regularly by a qualified engineer

• regularly test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working.

If you are concerned about any electrical appliances in your home you can find out if they have been recalled for safety reasons by going to the Electrical Safety First website: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls/

If your appliance is on the recall list stop using it and contact the manufacturer or retailer you bought it from straightaway.

Communal areas – keeping you and your neighbours safeIf you live in accommodation with communal areas please remember to:

• keep all corridors and stairwells clear of any obstruction

• do not leave out any refuse items in these spaces

• never leave a fire door open

• never block an emergency access point to your building

• get to know your neighbours. They may need assistance in any emergency

• report any damaged doors or smashed windows to your neighbourhood officer or scheme coordinator

• make sure you are familiar with the emergency procedures for your building. They are displayed in all our communal areas.

In the event of an emergency where we would have to evacuate the building, we need to know in advance who would need help. Please register your needs with Incommunities on tel: 01274 257777.

If you have fire safety concerns or issues where you live please do not hesitate to contact your neighbourhood housing officer or scheme coordinator or call our Fire Safety Team on 01274 257256.

Fire safety in your home – important information

8 IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 9

This is a legal requirement and covers your boiler, meter and gas fire if you have one.Our gas servicing team are committed to:

ensuring your gas appliances are SAFE to use

ensuring your appliances are efficient – saving YOU money

reducing the number of repairs – saving US money on repairs

We will try to give you one week’s notice of your home safety check.

You can choose the day that suits you best, as well as whether you would like a morning or afternoon visit.

If you do not contact us by the cut-off date given in your letter we will choose a day for you and send you the appointment in the post. If this is inconvenient you can call us and arrange another day.

What is Legionella?Legionella is a serious pneumonia-like illness which can be caused by inhaling small droplets of water containing the Legionella bacteria. In homes, the bacteria can be found in certain conditions in the hot and cold water systems. It can thrive in temperatures between 20-45C.

Our responsibilitiesAs your landlord we have a legal responsibility to help prevent the Legionella bacteria developing in local homes – this includes carrying out full risk assessments. However, you, our customer, also have a key role in reducing any risk.

Incommunities was named ‘Apprentice Large Employer of the Year’ at the Construction Industry Training Board Awards.

We currently train over 30 young people in different building skills. Ninety-eight per cent have gone on to become trade professionals with us.

There was more award success when 21 year old Jordan Kitching won a silver prize at the SkillsBuild national finals in Birmingham. Jordan has completed his plastering apprenticeship with us with flying colours.

Legionella Gas safety checksEvery year we make sure that your home receives a FREE gas safety check.

If you require an appointment after 5pm or on a Saturday please contact us to arrange this.

If for any reason you cannot keep your appointment, please call us on: 01274 257003 or text: 07837 999628 (Incommunities customers) or email: [email protected] and we can arrange a new time.

Please note if you are a Sadeh Lok customer we will write to you with the planned date of your service appointment and say whether its morning or afternoon. If this is inconvenient and you would like a different date/time please call 01274 257575 or text (07837) 999628 or email [email protected]

On the day of your gas safety check: • please check the engineer’s ID – all our staff

should produce this • ensure someone aged over 18 is at the

property to give us access on the day of your safety check

• ensure both gas and electric are in credit if you have pre-pay meters

• make sure the area around your boiler, gas meter and gas fire if you have one, are clear for the engineer to work safely

It is important that you:

• ensure your hot water systems are in working order

• do not adjust the settings on your boiler and heating system. Your hot water should be set to 60C.

• make sure cold water coming out of your taps is cold

• flush through any showers in your property at least two minutes every week

• clean your show head, descale and disinfect at least every six months.

Please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 01274 257777 (Incommunities tenants) or 01484 435 715 (Sadeh Lok tenants) immediately if:

• your cold water is still running warm after you have run off any water which may have built up in your pipes

• you have problems with water flow, bits in the water or discolouration

• the boiler or hot water tank is not working properly or your water is running hot!

If you have been away from your home for two weeks or more, on your return, please remember to flush your water systems through by running your taps for at least two minutes.

– important customer information

Award winners

Pictured top are Sue Laycock and Tony Thompson with BBC presenter Steph McGovern (right) and Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB. Below, Jordan Kitching with his medal prize.

At the end of 2017 we won a top national award for our trades apprenticeship programme.

It is important that you give us access to your home. If access is not given you may be in breach of your tenancy agreement, which may result in legal action.

IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 11IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 11IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 11IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 1110

Closing date:Friday

25th May 2018

Competition aThis year we are planning our biggest displays yet of wildflower planting in neighbourhoods across the district.Can you spot the five differences between picture 1 and picture 2 showing a colourful display in Baildon from last year.

Competitions

21Looking to make your next move? Have you checked Right Move?We have flats and houses for rent available through Right Move. These include self contained flats, semi-detached and town house properties. To view these click http://bit.ly/2kzDOOH

Send your entry in and you could win a £20 gift card for the store of your choice. Circle the five differences on picture 2 and send your entry to FREEPOST Incommunities or scan your entry and email [email protected] rules apply, mark your entry competition a.

Closing date:Friday

25th May 2018

To enter our prize draw and the chance to win a £40 gift card, simply answer this question correctly:

Which country is hosting the 2018 World Cup Final?

Italy Russia Australia

Competition b

In June, the 21st FIFA World Cup starts including England, the only home nation qualifiers.

Thirty-two national teams will contest the tournament of 64 matches. The final takes place on Sunday, 15th July.

Send your entry to FREEPOST Incommunities or email [email protected]

Competition rules apply, mark your entry

competition b.

To enter either of our competitions you must be an Incommunities or Sadeh Lok tenant/leaseholder or shared ownership customer

Do you enjoy independent living? Are you 65 plus and looking for an affordable home that meets your needs? Do you have a friend or relative who is also looking to make a move? Then get in touch!We have a range of homes available NOW for rent right across the district.

We have fully self-contained flats available at a number of our sheltered schemes.

These are specifically designed to help you continue to lead an independent life.

You can choose how you want to enjoy your home – coming and going as you please – whether relaxing in your flat, meeting neighbours or joining in social activities in a comfortable communal lounge.

Each home is fully self-contained with safe and secure surroundings. You have the added comfort that our 24-7 Trustcare response service is just a call away if needed.

Rent a home with us

AVAILABLE NOW!

Where we have available homesWe have unfurnished flats now at Farish House in Keighley; Derby Place in Thornbury, Wellesley House at Laisterdyke, Greenbank Court in Baildon and Southfield House, Addingham.

We also have a wide selection of flats, maisonettes and houses for rent across the district. Why not call our Lettings Team on 01274 257777 to check out the latest availability and arrange viewings?

Are you looking for help to find work?Then why not pop along to one of our work clubs in Bradford and Keighley? They offer friendly one-to-one support to help you make your step into work or training.

Our Job Club Team are on hand to give you free advice on:• searching local job sites• writing CVs• completing job applications• making the right impression at an interview• and learning basic computer skills

To find your nearest job club and for more advice on getting into work and training click www.incommunities.co.uk/employment-train or ring us on 01275 257788.


mailto:?subject=

This comes ‘hot on the heels’ of two completed developments.In Little Horton 34 rented homes have been built on the site of old flats off Southfield Lane.

Among the delighted tenants is Sarah Khalid and her young daughter Naba who moved from a high-rise flat into a cosy two-bedroom house.

Sarah said: “I feel so lucky. The house is wonderful.

“Incommunities has done a fabulous job. It’s great to have gardens front and back for my daughter to enjoy in the warmer weather.”

Across the city, 28 two, three and four bedroom houses have been completed and fully let at Fagley, making use of a cleared housing site.

Former housing sites make way for new homes

A number of major developments are underway including 22 houses at Parkside, the first phase of a £7 million development at Bolton Woods and smaller developments at Shipley and Baildon.

Rupert Pometsey, Director of Lumia Homes – part of Incommunities, said: “These exciting developments will provide much needed new homes for rent and at the same time regenerate old housing sites.”

In the coming weeks work is set to start on the transformation of two former fire station sites at Idle and Saltaire. These two and three bedroom homes are due to be completed in 2019 and include a mix of tenures including Rent to Buy, shared ownership and outright sale.

Above pictures of completed schemes at Little Horton and Fagley and (below) homes taking shape at Parkside.

We are proud to report we are on track to complete more than 120 new homes

this year across Bradford.

Our Estate team have moved quickly to protect roosting bats found at one of our sheltered schemes.

The pest control team went out to reports of noises in the loft spaces and found not mice but three healthy colonies of bats. A full environmental survey was carried out as is legally required when bats are found.

Bats given protection at Bingley scheme!

Pests such as mice, cockroaches, bed bugs and rats can cause a real nuisance and distress in any home.Did you know we have a fully trained team that is ready to deal with all types of pest control – and this is a FREE service to all our tenants.

Team tackling pests!How the service works• all reports by Incommunities customers’

should be made via our 24 hour repairs hotline – 01274 257003 or email [email protected]

• our pest control team will get back to you quickly and arrange an appointment

• our fully qualified team will thoroughly investigate the pest problem and apply the necessary treatment

• depending on the type of infestation we might need to visit your home several times

• if needed, we will carry out any repairs to prevent any further problems

• we will give you a written report on the work done and advise on how to prevent pests returning.

How you can help reduce the pest problem• dispose of your household rubbish regularly

into your bins

• do not leave any rubbish on communal landings or walkways

• clean your bin regularly as well as the area around it

• do not leave any foodstuff intended for the birds

• regularly use flea treatments on your pets

• clean up any spills and food crumbs immediately

• vacuum floors and upholstery thoroughly and regularly.

It is important that you report a pest problem to us as soon as you can. If the problem comes back please get in touch straightaway.

In the UK all bat species and their roosts are protected and so we are happy for our ‘guests’ continue to use the loft space.

We are proud to be doing our bit to help in the conservation of these endangered animals.


Stop press...Congratulations to Bradford District Credit Union who have become a ‘faith friendly’ bank to encourage more savers from ethnic minority groups.

Here to help

What is Universal Credit?This benefit supports people who are on a low income or out of work. It aims to encourage claimants to move into work or earn more

Universal Credit replaces six benefits:

• Housing Benefit

• Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

How it will be paidUniversal Credit is calculated and paid monthly. It is paid direct to you through a bank or credit union account. So if you do not have such an account you will need to open one.

Claims are made online. It means you will need internet access and an email address. If you do not have access to the internet or are not confident using a computer, your local Jobcentre can advise you about local services that can help.

With benefit changes, like Universal Credit and other financial pressures affecting many people it is more important than ever to manage your money well.

Our partners, Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) can help with a range of savings options.

Mum of two young children, Sherida is one of hundreds of Incommunities’ tenants to join BDCU.

Sherida met Ian Brewer, the credit union’s financial inclusion officer, at a drop in at a children’s centre soon after moving to the city from London.

She admitted her finances were in ‘really bad shape’ and was interested to find out more about how the credit union could help.

Within a few weeks Sherida had opened a savings account with BDCU and taken out a pre-paid budget card to set aside money to pay her rent, utility bills and Council Tax. She also opened a children’s saving account and a Christmas saver account

The information you will need to provide:

• National Insurance Number

• Mobile phone number

• Email address

• Bank, Building Society or Credit Union account

• Proof of your rent

• Details of all household members inc dates of birth

• Details of any incomes

If you currently receive housing benefit you will need to claim the ‘housing cost element’ of Universal Credit in order to continue receiving help to cover the cost of renting your home from us.

Under the changes you will be responsible for paying your rent and on time. Failure to do so could have a serious impact on your tenancy.

When will it go live?Universal Credit was introduced in Bradford

district in 2015 for new claims from applicants who are single with no dependent children.

It will be rolled out to families from June 2018.

Please note Universal Credit only affects people of working age.

When will I receive my first payment?Once you have made a new claim it will take around one month before your entitlement is assessed and then up to seven days before your payment is made.

How you can prepare for Universal CreditYou will need to manage your budgets and bear in mind this is a monthly paid benefit.

Tenants can work out their monthly budget by planning ahead and ensuring that bills are paid promptly. They can use a simple monthly budget planner, like the one available on the Money Advice Service website.

If you find that you are unable to manage without a payment whilst your claim is being assessed, you can make a request for an Advance Payment. This advance payment would have to be repaid over twelve months, starting with your first normal payment of Universal Credit.

The benefits system is going through major changes. This @home focuses on the roll out of Universal Credit across the district, how it could affect you and where to go for help.

Managing your money

For more information and advice on claiming

benefits, managing your money and finding a job go

to our website

www.incommunities.co.uk

How we are preparing• Incommunities’ customer facing

staff are being trained to give you the right advice and help on this benefit change

• managers have run information sessions for local community groups and partner bodies

• up to date information on Universal Credit and applying for other benefits is on our website – www.incommunities.co.uk – go to ‘benefits advice’.

Useful links:-www.incommunities.co.uk/what-is-universal-creditwww.gov.uk/universal-creditwww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

You can be assured that we are here to help you through these benefit changes. Just get in touch with our Income Team on 01274 254777 or email [email protected]

Join the credit union and make managing your money easier!

to help take the worry out of paying for things at Christmas.

“Joining the credit union has given me control of my money and outgoings,” she said.

“I want to make a great future for my kids. Saving for them now and teaching them to be savvy savers is one way I can do this.”

Did you know we will give you and your children a FREE £10 credit each to open a Bradford District Credit Union account?To find out more about joining the Credit Union ring 01274 434 100 or email [email protected]



Manager: Bev Mullaney 07837 999381Team Leader: Jayne Checkley 07837 999200

Schemes Scheme Coordinator

contact tel:

Ivy Bank Court, Baildon Ade Amidu 07769 966589

Greenbank & Knoll Gardens, Baildon

Danisa Sibanda 07944 209446

Earlswood, Wyke Alison Whiteoak 07947 611216

Manor Court, Cottingley

Amanda Nommik 07506 741045

Wellesley House, Norton House & Fortesque House, Laisterdyke

Susan Knight 07795 812497

Derby Place, Thornbury

Ernest Labad 07837 999398

Shuttleworth House, Thornton Road

Helen Rector 07950 523750

Maple Court, Bingley Janet Warren 07768 792487

Forester Court, Denholme

Jayne Currell 07768 217861

Ormond House & Brentwood Gardens, Wibsey

Kelly Halpin 07837 999655

Staincliffe Court & Brierdene, Silsden

Louise Craven 07950 523769

Goodwin House, Queensbury

Naseem Akhtar 07795 801085

Southfield House & Aynholme Drive, Addingham

Peter Collins 07837 999510

Farish House, Keighley

Sinade Galindo 07990 520421

Northdean House, Heights Lane

Susan Knight 07795 812497

Ashfield Court (Bingley) & Northcliffe View, Windhill

Shirley Collins 07500 339524

Neighbourhood Services 01274 257777Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline 01274 254274Estate and Support Services 01274 257990Gas Services 01274 254040Income Team 01274 254777Leasehold/Home Ownership 01274 254275Repairs Hotline (24-hour) 01274 257003Bradford Council’s Housing Options Service 01274 435999

Shipley, East and North

Sheltered schemes

Our opening hours at The Quays are: Monday - Friday 8.45am - 4.30pm

Telephone lines are open:Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm,Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Our address: The Quays, Victoria Street Shipley BD17 7BN

Estate walkaboutsLook out for regular dates via: www.incommunities.co.ukFacebook and Twitter or contact your local Incommunities office.

Manager: Michelle Cullarea neighbourhood

officercontact tel:

Alma & Rosebery Gemma Drayton 07796 996194

Baildon Green & Village

Dean Finelli 07837 999409

Coach Road, Owlet Hall & Glenwood

Lesley Wilson 07837 999412

Hoyle Court, Southcliffe, St James, St John’s & Esholt

Mandy Flatters 07837 999791

East Bowling, Eccleshill, West Royd, Wrose & Bolton Woods

Hannah Emery 07837 999771

Fagley Caroline Busfield 07837 999405

Greengates & York House

Natalie Bateson 07957 444741

Idle End of Thorpe Edge

Debra Parsons 07837 999792

Laisterdyke, Leeds Road & Hendford Drive

Lucy Serrant-Fontaine

07919 211492

Leeds Road & Otley Road

Martin Lacey 07507 849796

Owlet and Crag Amanda Turner 07837 999581

Ravenscliffe Lucy Woodman 07837 999227

Saltaire, Shipley, Norwoods, Shipley Town Centre & Wycliffe Gardens

Catherine Roberts 07837 999408

Thackley, Lower Thorpe Edge & Idle Village

Lucy Woodman 07837 999227

Thorpe Edge Upper & Swain House

Dawn Aaron 07795 283316

Undercliffe, Thornbury & Bradford Moor

Muminul Islam 07956 429364

Manager: Joanne Whiteleyarea neighbourhood

officercontact tel:

Addingham, Riddlesden, Morton, Utley, Eastburn, Silsden & Steeton

Aire Wharfe team 01274 257777

Bingley Central, Cottingley & Crossflatts

Rachel Marsden 07837 999414

Bracken Bank, Haworth & Broomhill

Linda Wear 07890 999486

Braithwaite, Oakworth, West Lane & Oxenhope

Bev Lockwood 07903 893727

Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley, Ben Rhydding & Menston

Josie Crook 07837 999569

Crosley Wood & Gilstead

Joanne Shepherd 07960 150471

Lawkholme, Guardhouse & Highfield

Lee Keach 07837 999586

South Street, Halifax Road, Kennedy House, Denholme, Cullingworth, Wilsden & Harden

Zak Hussain 07837 999569

Parkwood Rise, Woodhouse, Long Lee & Fell Lane

Jessica Kelly 07908 209193

Here is your Spring/Summer 2018 up to date neighbourhoods contacts list.

Aire Wharfe

INCOMMUNITIES CONTACTS Manager: Dewi Williams

area neighbourhood officer

contact tel:

Bankfoot, Queensbury & Clayton Heights

Lindsey Roche 07837 999761

Bierley Neil Powell 07837 999384

Buttershaw, Lower Buttershaw

Carli Dodd Jayne Wormald

07837 999249 07837 999367

Delph Hill, St Mary’s, Shirley Manor, Westfield Lane, Oakenshaw & Wilson Road

Anne-Marie Corbett 07983 373377

Great Horton & Scholemoor

Nicola Mann 07415 334869

Holme Wood FarwayHelen Thornton

Javed Khan07837 999368 07837 999768

Holme Wood FelcourtJulie Fowler Kirsty Smith

07900 138285 07908 549372

Holme Wood Landsholme

Wendy Clayton Julie Fowler

07900 406407 07900 138285

Holme Wood Stirling Javed Khan 07837 999768

Low Moor & Woodside Jayne Wormald 07837 999367

Odsal Claire Flesher 07900 406432

Wycoller Claire Walker 07837 999384

Manager: Karen Leearea neighbourhood

officercontact tel:

AllertonKaramat Hussain James Fellowes

07837 999406 07900 406425

Canterbury Vicky Farrar 07837 999396

Clayton & Thornton Debra Woodhead 07900 406411

Haworth Road, Lilycroft & Valley Road

Jayne Campbell-Smith

07900 406416

Lower Grange, Girlington & Four Lane Ends

Jackie Mann 07983 472392

Manchester RoadBobbie Atkinson

Pauline Lewis Marta Kurowska

07837 999599 07795 666816 07887 824548

Manningham, Princeville, Newcastle & Fairfax House

Mo Usman 07717 150633

West Bowling & Parkside

Afzal Khan 07900 406422

Whetley Lane, White Abbey & Longlands

Sam Czakon 07931 972698

Headway

Bradford West City



If you would like this information in any other format including large print, audio CD/tape, Braille or translated into another language please telephone 01274 254321

Design & print by Astwood Design Consultancy Tel 01789 778111 www.astwood.co.uk

The government is introducing new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support. Early education for two year oldsParents receiving certain benefits may be able to claim up to 15 hours a week of free childcare at different centres across the district.

Early education for 3 and 4 year oldsAll parents can claim up to 15 hours a week of free childcare until they enter reception at school. Many parents are eligible to claim up to 30 hours a week.

Childcare Element of Working Tax CreditParents may be able to get extra help with ‘registered’ or ‘approved’ childcare costs by claiming the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

Help with paying for your childcare

There are a host of other tax-free childcare options

available to help your child make the best possible start

in life and enable more parents to go out to work.

For more information go to www.bradford.gov.uk/fis

or ring Bradford Families Information Service on

01274 437503 or click www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We have made great strides in cutting the number of empty homes we have (these are called ‘voids’).In April 2017, we had 623 voids across the district and since then the figure has fallen month by month to 282 in January 2018. That’s a reduction of over 50%.

Rent collected – Our Incomes Team work hard to collect in everyone’s rents. At the start of the year we achieved our highest collection rate yet – 99.6%, compared to 98.8% in January 2017.

Property rents are by far our biggest source of income and collecting it is important to funding our services to you.

Improving our lettings performanceWe have also cut the average time a property is empty (from the time a tenancy finishes to a new one starting) from 87 days in April 2017 to 53 days at the end of January 2018. This is partly due to changes in our lettings process involving finding new customers more quickly and getting a property ready to re-let more quickly.

These improvements have helped us save over £500,000 - money which we are re-investing in improving other area of our services to you.

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