Going Places Newsletter Winter 2011

Going PlacesIssue 16: - Winter 2011

Homechoice, Housing Options, Temporary Accommodation and Resettlement newsletter

Welcome...…to the winter 2011 issue of the Going Places newsletter. This newsletter is for allcustomers and partners of the Housing Need and Support Service, including Homechoice, Housing Options, Resettlement and Temporary Accommodation. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for articles in the future, please contact us via the details on page 2.

Shared Ownershipproperties pages 23

See page 11 for details.

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout Stockport

Helping the homeless this Christmas

2 Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011 www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org

0161 474 4237

0161 477 2626

0161 474 4567

0161 474 2975

0161 474 3772

0161 456 0717

0161 217 6015

0845 608 8526

0161 474 3093

0870 120 4040

0161 477 9597

0845 303 0900

0845 790 9090

0161 217 6009

0845 46 47

0161 249 4080

0161 480 7248

0161 426 9101

0161 636 7525

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Housing Options

Housing Options(out-of-hours)

Homechoice bidding line

Homechoice enquiries line

Resettlement Team

Furniture Station

Housing Benefit

Job Centre Plus

Welfare Rights

Citizens Advice Bureau

Stockport Victim Support

Victim Support Line

Samaritans

Stockport Advice

NHS Direct

Alcohol and Drugs Service

Disability Stockport

Stockport RefugeeSupport Group

Greater ManchesterDomestic Abuse helpline

Priority for working applicants

Now you can apply online!

Where are Homechoice properties?

Focus on… Medical points

Housing Options Team: A quality service

Rehousing services on the road

Act Family – Making a difference

H3: Winners / thank you


Make Strathers Sparkle

Be a Brindale Buddy

Borough Buddies

Award winning volunteer

Buxton Road’s sporting success

Temporary accommodation goes green

Brindale families have fun at

Contents Useful numbers

Opening hours for the Housing Information Centre

Monday: 8.30am - 4.30pm

Tuesday: 9.30am - 4.30pm

Wednesday: 8.30am - 4.30pm

Thursday: 8.30am - 4.30pm

Friday: 9.30am - 4.00pm

Torkington Park

Focus on You – Adaptations special

Positive start. Positive future.

It’s an ‘A’ for Resettlement

You said, we did

Picture praise for Penny Lane

Quiz Corner

Facts and figures

Shared ownership

www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011www.stockporthomes.org 3

WORKINGapplicants

only

Homechoice newsUseful numbers homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout Stockport

Priority for working applicants

Now you can apply online!

Homechoice have now started advertising a small number of properties for “working applicants only” to help workers with our lower housing costs.

We are always looking for ways to improve Homechoice.

We will be advertising up to two properties per month which will only be available to applicants who are in employment. To be eligible for these properties the main, or joint applicant on the application must have been in formal employment for at least six months and work for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

Only applicants who are in work can bid for the properties which include ‘Working applicants only’ in the property details. Applicants who are successful for a property will need to provide evidence from their employer before an offer is confirmed.

If you want to check your points please check online or call the Homechoice Team on 0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

We have recently launched a new online application system to make it easier for new customers to access our service. Existing customers’ applications will remain the same and need not reapply.

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If you would like help to look for employment, training or

volunteering, please contact Martyn Preston, Employment Support Officer on 0161 474 2836 or [email protected]

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout Stockport

Apply for a home

If you have any comments or would like to help us test the new form

please contact Geoff Binns, Rehousing Services Manager on 0161 474 3721 or email [email protected]

4 Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout StockportHomechoice facts

Where are Homechoice properties? Demand for accommodation is very high across Stockport. The table on pages 4 - 5 shows how many of the different sizes and types of property there are in different areas to help you decide what areas to consider when bidding.

For more information, please contact the Homechoice Team on 0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

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Adswood 50 4 2 367 2 1Bramhall 23 15 2 17Bredbury 6 81 1 88 1 87 6 1Bridgehall 28 28 6 4 28 6 223 11Brinnington 18 49 298 313 17 320 370 20 157 1 1 454 1 2 25Cale Green 35 31 37 18 3Cheadle 52 261 10 29 27 12 137 1Cheadle Heath 73 10 45 11 125 1 25 1Cheadle Hulme Nth 12 22 41 41 1 39 1Cheadle Hulme Sth 2 5 108 48 29 69 2Compstall 6 17Councillor Lane 19 74 51 12 3 4Covent Garden 22 18Davenport 2 6 45 3 2 1 42Didsbury Road 16 8 41 89 81 51 2Edgeley 21 21 113 1 11 88 38 170 27 18 2Gatley 11 7 4 16Great Moor 2 4Hazel Grove 52 4 44 4 4 50 66 25 61 18 2Heald Green 2 36 13 50 1Heaton Chapel 20 55 43 2 8 92 8 91 1Heaton Norris 2 60 86 5 57 41 1 21 10 1Heaviley 62 16 11Higher Hillgate 22 8 1 13High Lane 21 10 5 6Lancashire Hill 189 152 146Larkhill 4 28 1 4 98Marple 14 88 78 5 114 76 2Marple Bridge 1 29 4 3Mottram Street 42 238 229 36Newbridge Lane 20Offerton Estate 64 150 15 183 296 12Offerton North 16 40 23 67 2Portwood 1Reddish North 8 158 20 128 5 244 23 18Reddish South 102 83 43 51 114 5Romiley 16 101 4 45 49 1 105Shaw Heath 26 7 3 13Spring Gardens 37 6 35 2Victoria Park 21 16 24 46 2Woodley 17 17 239 3 25 43 21 94 2 3

You can bid for properties by:

logging on to our website www.stockporthomes.org and clicking on ‘Search for a home’;

calling our 24-hour bidding line on 0161 474 4567;

texting 07797 806630; or

visiting the Housing Information Centre or one of our Area Housing Offices.

Did you know? 8/10 people bid on-line or electronically

To make bids you will need your:

application reference number, date of birth and the bidding numbers of the properties you are interested in.

1234504/05/197025252

Examples:

For demonstration purposes only

0161 218 1088If you have difficulty placing bids (for example, if you are elderly or have a disability) please contact the Homechoice Support Service on:

0161 474 2975

Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011www.stockporthomes.org 5

Homechoice facts

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Adswood 50 4 2 367 2 1Bramhall 23 15 2 17Bredbury 6 81 1 88 1 87 6 1Bridgehall 28 28 6 4 28 6 223 11Brinnington 18 49 298 313 17 320 370 20 157 1 1 454 1 2 25Cale Green 35 31 37 18 3Cheadle 52 261 10 29 27 12 137 1Cheadle Heath 73 10 45 11 125 1 25 1Cheadle Hulme Nth 12 22 41 41 1 39 1Cheadle Hulme Sth 2 5 108 48 29 69 2Compstall 6 17Councillor Lane 19 74 51 12 3 4Covent Garden 22 18Davenport 2 6 45 3 2 1 42Didsbury Road 16 8 41 89 81 51 2Edgeley 21 21 113 1 11 88 38 170 27 18 2Gatley 11 7 4 16Great Moor 2 4Hazel Grove 52 4 44 4 4 50 66 25 61 18 2Heald Green 2 36 13 50 1Heaton Chapel 20 55 43 2 8 92 8 91 1Heaton Norris 2 60 86 5 57 41 1 21 10 1Heaviley 62 16 11Higher Hillgate 22 8 1 13High Lane 21 10 5 6Lancashire Hill 189 152 146Larkhill 4 28 1 4 98Marple 14 88 78 5 114 76 2Marple Bridge 1 29 4 3Mottram Street 42 238 229 36Newbridge Lane 20Offerton Estate 64 150 15 183 296 12Offerton North 16 40 23 67 2Portwood 1Reddish North 8 158 20 128 5 244 23 18Reddish South 102 83 43 51 114 5Romiley 16 101 4 45 49 1 105Shaw Heath 26 7 3 13Spring Gardens 37 6 35 2Victoria Park 21 16 24 46 2Woodley 17 17 239 3 25 43 21 94 2 3

Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011www.stockporthomes.org


Focus on…

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout StockportHomechoice news

If an applicant indicates that they have a medical condition to be considered as part of their application assessment they will be sent a medical self-assessment form to complete.

It’s really important that when the customer completes this form they provide as much information as possible about their condition; what it is, how it is affected by their current accommodation and information about the treatment they are receiving (including a copy of their current prescription).

Medical assessments are carried out twice a week by a health professional known as the Health and Housing Officer and the Senior Homechoice Officer. Having a medical condition does not automatically mean that an applicant will be awarded medical points. This will depend on how the accommodation is affecting their condition and how it would be improved by a move. Also, the level of treatment and medication is important to confirm how serious the issues are. For example, if someone is a wheelchair user and is already living in a suitable ground floor property no points might be awarded as the type of accommodation already addresses their circumstances.

Customers do not need to get a GP letter to support their medical assessment as they may be charged for this. As long as full details are given on the medical form this should be enough to make an assessment.

Sometimes points are awarded for a specific type of property and will only apply when bids are made for suitable properties (for example an adapted property or a ground floor or lift access property). This is because the customer has mobility problems and has difficulty with stairs and / or requires adaptations. This will be explained in a letter to the customer.

Medical points can only be considered for the applicant or someone who is moving with them, not for anyone they may be lodging with. If more than one person in the applicant’s household has a medical need an assessment will be made for everyone and the main award will be made to the person with most medical need. The other assessments will be at a lower level called “secondary need”.

Medical assessments have been carried out in an average of five days since April 2011.

For more information, please contact the Homechoice Team on

0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

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Medical points

6 Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011 www.stockporthomes.org

www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011 7

Housing Options news

Housing Options Team: A Quality Service

After a day of interviewing staff, reviewing files and looking at policies and procedures the inspector praised the service – well done Housing Options!

i If you are experiencing

housing difficulties and feel you need to speak to a Housing Options Officer, please contact the team on 0161 474 4237 or email [email protected]

Recent users of Stockport Homes Energy saved over £100 off their gas and electricity bill by switching to a cheaper tariff (June 2011).

To save money on your energy bills, please visit

www.stockporthomesenergy.org.uk

or call us free on 0800 410 1245.

Switch and save

with Stockport Homes Energy

www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org

The Housing Options Team provides advice a range of housing issues, as well as undertaking assessments under homelessness legislation.

The Housing Options Team has been re-awarded ‘Quality Mark’ status; this means they are officially recognised by Community Legal Services as providing a high standard of advice and case work to its customers.


BLOW THE WHISTLE ONHOUSING CHEATSIf you suspect someone of housing fraud, please call us on 0161 218 1364 text us on 07624 811 481 or email [email protected] report will be treated in the strictest confidence and can be given anonymously.

Rehousing Services on the road

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout StockportRehousing Services

Saturday 1 October marked the fifth annual ‘UK Older People’s Day’, and Rehousing Services’ new Senior Homechoice Assistants were there to join in the celebrations.

Laura and Gemma (pictured opposite) had a stall offering Housing Options advice, and showed people how they could get extra support in understanding and using Homechoice.

The theme of the day was ‘Getting and Staying Active in Later Life’, so Martyn Preston, Employment and Volunteering Officer, was also on hand to tell people about the exciting volunteering opportunities Stockport Homes has to offer. More information on these is featured on page 12 of this newsletter.

The event was coupled with a fun ‘Spring Chicken Flash Mob’ in Mersey Square; see if you can find this on the internet!

If you require additional support with the Homechoice system or

want to talk through your housing options, Laura Coombes and Gemma Broomhead, the Senior Homechoice Assistants will be happy to help - please ring 0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

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www.stockporthomes.org

BLOW THE WHISTLE ONHOUSING CHEATSIf you suspect someone of housing fraud, please call us on 0161 218 1364 text us on 07624 811 481 or email [email protected] report will be treated in the strictest confidence and can be given anonymously.

Act Family news

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The Act Family Team are now working with 25 families (and over 100 different family members) across Adswood, Bridgehall, Brinnington and the Lancashire Hill and Town Centre areas.

The team is a partnership arrangement and includes a Housing Officer, a Health Visitor, Police Officers, a Probation Officer, Parent Support Advisors, Welfare Rights Advisors and a Youth Offending Service Officer. It provides a speedy and wrap-around service to families with complex or multiple needs, with one particular family commenting that being referred through to the Act Family Team was

‘the best thing that’s ever happened to his family’.

Many of the families the team are working with have either fallen below the radar of services for many years with their problems and difficulties becoming more and more entrenched, or have regularly not engaged and been mistrusting of services and agencies. This has resulted in problems the families may be facing not being spotted or sorted until the situation becomes serious and statutory agencies become involved. The team are working to break down these barriers and make a real difference to them and the communities they live in. The project is different from other schemes in that it looks at the needs of the whole family; Mum, Dad, Son, Daughter, Uncle, Grandma – anyone who is a key part or influence on the household.

If you are working with a family who you think may benefit from support

from the Act Family Team, you can call to make a referral or have an informal chat with a team member on 0161 474 3161 or email [email protected]

Supporting familiestowards a brighter future

Act Family – Making a differenceIn the last issue of Going Places we introduced you to an exciting new service – Act Family.

Act Family will achieve value for money and influence development in the ways agencies work together in Stockport. It will reduce what can sometimes be overlapping support to the same families and improve co-ordination and outcomes, whilst also ensuring that no family member is left out.

The team are also now able to work with families living in Offerton.

9Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011www.stockporthomes.org


H3 news

Thank you!

H3: Winners!

H3 would like to thank the following organisations who donated or contributed towards their success this year and those who contributed to last year’s Christmas raffle.

In the last Going Places newsletter we told you how H3 (Helping the Homeless into Housing) had won the Northern Region TPAS award for ‘Best Practice in Supporting People’.

• Access Ability (UK)• APL Locksmiths• Barbara King, Tenant Board

Member and H3 Campaigner• Benvinuties Restaurant• Bredbury Hall• Britannia Laundry• Cheshire Flower Shop• Dodd Group• Gala Bingo• Glossop Golf Club• Hazel Grove Golf Club• Houldsworth Golf Club• Image Group printers• Johnnie Johnson Housing• Kallkwik

We are now very pleased to announce that the group have gone on to win the award at a national level!

News of their success is spreading fast, and in August H3 were invited to talk about their award-winning model to a Chartered Institute of Housing conference, ‘Everything You Need to Know about Temporary Accommodation’. Their presentation went down well, with 97% of attendees rating them as good / very good, and some even going on to buy their hand-made Christmas cards!

H3’s next success has been to secure funding to extend the Deposit Scheme to single homeless applicants; they hope to have this up and running early next year.

i If you want a copy of the newsletter, more information about H3 or

even get involved with the group, please contact the Customer Involvement Team on 0161 218 1674 or email [email protected]

• Lazer Quest Trafford Centre• Lego Land Trafford Centre• Marple Golf Club• Mellor and Town Cliffe Golf

Club• Mr Ali’s Restaurant• Old School Hairdressers• Pear Tree Mill• Quality Flooring• Railway Free House• Reddish Value Golf Club• Repair First• Rileys Pool and Snooker

Club• Romiley Golf Club• Shelagh Berry for her

H3 have also recently developed their own newsletter; in the first issue they thank all the organisations that have helped them in their first year of operation.

Helping the Homeless into Housing

homemade Christmas cake• Soap Hairdressing• Stockport Bedding• Stockport Play and

Development Team• Stockport Homes’ Social

Inclusion Team• Taylor Mortgage and

Financial Services• Tesco• The Trophy Store• Whitefern• All the individuals that

have contributed to our fundraising campaigns this year!



H3 news


Christmas is fast approaching, so don’t forget those last minute cards and presents!

H3 (Helping the Homeless into Housing), residents at the three temporary accommodation schemes and volunteers have been extra busy this year, handmaking jewellery and special festive decorations. Not only has this provided some fun activities, but residents have learned valuable new skills such as sewing, painting and crafting.

Items are on sale now along with handmade Christmas cards. All proceeds go back into helping homeless people in Stockport, and supporting the positive work that H3 do in empowering vulnerable residents.

i If you would like to buy any crafts or cards, please contact Fiona Carr,

Homelessness Strategy Development Officer on 0161 474 3726 or email [email protected]

In addition to the crafts H3 have organised a ‘Big Balloon Race’ to be held in Stockport centre on 10 December.

www.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 16 Winter 2011www.stockporthomes.org 11

Helping the Homeless into Housing


Volunteering news

Award-winning

Volunteers have been hard at work over the summer months, with lots more projects planned. Here’s an update of just a few of them.

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Volunteers from ‘Savvy’, the young persons’ volunteering service, joined forces with residents and staff at Strathclyde House to give the building a fresh coat of paint. Everyone also got stuck in to doing the front gardens, which combined with the new Strathclyde allotment looks ‘blooming marvellous’.

Most recently, a ‘Borough Buddies’ project has been launched to help people who are new to the Stockport area to settle in, find their way around and get involved in their local community. Moving to a new home can be scary, and moving to a whole new area can be even more daunting, so these friendly faces provide a valuable service.

Volunteers from Adecco employment agency and Stockport Homes came together in a much-needed sprucing up of flats in Brindale House, which included a ‘60 Minutes Makeover’ style project. As well as having a laugh on the day, this hard work has helped to make the scheme look a much more welcoming place for families who are homeless.

Congratulations to our volunteer ‘Brian’ Alan Sweeney who scooped the ‘Green’ Star Award at the annual Stockport Homes event. Brian has been hard at work at Strathclyde and Brindale House, in particular helping to transform the once barren space at the rear of Brindale into an allotment with an outdoor seating area for residents to enjoy. Well done Brian!

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, gain experience and add to your CV. If you want to get involved, please contact Martyn Preston, Employment

Support Officer on 0161 474 2836 or email [email protected]


Temporary Accommodation news

Buxton Road’s sporting successThe guys at Buxton Road have been taking part in a range of activities over the summer months, including great days out fishing at Reddish Vale Park.

Resident Caretaker, Trevor, gave each resident excellent training on setting the equipment, using the bait and catching the fish. Everyone managed to catch some in the end; one resident, who had never been fishing before, caught three fish and then even managed to get a good kip for the afternoon!

For a change from fishing residents recently decided to go for a round of ‘pitch and putt’ at Bruntwood Park. Residents did an excellent job of teaching the staff how to play golf, but it was clear

i Keep an eye for details of future events at the scheme and feel free

to offer suggestions or resources via Adrian Ord, Scheme Manager on 0161 474 6441 or email [email protected]

that all were amateurs to the sport and no surprise when they came last and second to last place!

A big ‘thank you’ to Bruntwood Park for the reduced rates and a fantastic afternoon in the sun.



Temporary accommodation goes green!Volunteers, residents and staff at the temporary accommodation schemes have been working on creating allotments, and a much needed overhaul of the garden space at Brindale House.

After volunteers consulted with residents on design ideas for what the gardens should look like, and getting feedback on what sorts of plants and vegetables they would like to see growing, work on the projects commenced in June. The once barren concrete space at Brindale House has been transformed into an area that can be enjoyed by all, and help promote healthy eating at the scheme.

Raised beds have been built at all three schemes; a trellis has been fixed to all the perimeter fencing; and a herb garden has been established at Brindale containing rosemary, thyme, mint, coriander and chives.

Residents and volunteers are currently working on a seating area at Brindale, featuring mosaic designs using old tiles to decorate benches; and planting fruit trees including apple, olive, gooseberry, raspberry and blackberry.

These allotments have been possible thanks to funding from Stockport Homes’ Social Inclusion Team and H3.

If you want to volunteer at our allotments please contact Martyn Preston, Employment Support Officer on 0161 474 2836 or [email protected]




Brindale families have fun at Torkington Park

Friday is music day!

After consulting with Brindale House customers about what sorts of activities they would like to see running at the scheme during the summer holiday.

Residents, Playworkers and staff went on a number of different trips, including an action packed day out to Torkington Park.

The children enjoyed a host of activities including Face Painting, Tattoo Design, Body Zorbing, Straw Jump, Junk Modelling, Balloon Modelling, Clay Modelling and Dancing.

The Play Development Team who ran the event encouraged participation by everyone by giving out tokens on completion of an activity, the person who had collected the most tokens at the end of the event won a prize.

Women who are homeless and living at Strathclyde House know what kinds of activities they would like to see taking place at the scheme and working with the staff have introduced a new one…

Weekly music sessions (each Friday at 11.00am). This can be just listening or for the more daring, learning to play an instrument, from electric guitar, bass, keyboards to drums. There is also a P.A. and karaoke system so the residents can sing along with their favourite songs.


The families had a wonderful day with quotes from the children including:

“It was absolutely brill in the straw it was all down my dress.”

“Please can we go again next week and have some more cakes.”

Residents have been very positive and enthusiastic about being involved in making music and learning to play an instrument. It’s really enjoyable, with feedback including:

“Singing with the karaoke and playing along to the music was great fun.”

“Being able to do something fun and creative, without any pressure from anyone is fantastic.”


0500 130 585

- Help at the touch of a butt n

Resettlement news

Focus on You – Adaptations specialA very enjoyable lunchtime was had at The Millbrook Centre when the Adaptations Service held a well attended ‘Adaptations Special’ Focus Group on 29 September.

The meeting was held on one of the few gloriously sunny days of late summer and the weather seemed to reflect the mood of the meeting. A very happy and productive time was had listening to the Together Trust who gave us a fascinating insight into their beginnings from 1840 when their founder came across a tiny bundle of rags (which just happened to contain baby twins) on a Manchester street, and the first ‘refuge’ for children in Manchester was set up. Their incredible story, culminating in the Trust as it is today where young persons with physical disabilities, autism, learning difficulties and other issues are nurtured and tutored, and who made our lovely buffet lunch, was told with great sensitivity by their Manager, Catherine.

Dot Frith, Stockport Homes’ Carecall Manager, came to talk to us about Carecall and its benefits. Emergencies are responded to in minutes and the system supports independent living, providing security and peace of mind.

The meeting consulted on the target times for the installation of adaptations and the adaptations policy and procedures, and we looked at the satisfaction questionnaires sent out to customers by Stockport Homes’ Adaptations Services, by technical services and by contractors. It was decided by the meeting to amalgamate these questionnaires into one – saving time and paper!

Other suggestions were to use symbols and use larger writing.

The ‘icing on the cake’ according to the participants, was the half hour session of Armchair Yoga – everyone joined in and found that we were so relaxed after a good lunch and strenuous stretches the attendees didn’t want to go home!

It was decided by the meeting that further meetings should be held when necessary to consult on any new issues, and a good time was had by all!

Focus on

For more information about Focus on You meetings, please contact the Resettlement Team on 0161 474 3772 or email [email protected]

Please ring Carecall freephone on 0500 130 585 if you are interested in having a 24 hour tele-monitoring system


0500 130 585

- Help at the touch of a butt n

Resettlement news

The pre-tenancy positive start workshops have been running now for a good few months with great success and positive feedback.

The three workshops are run over a period of two weeks and last for approximately two hours each. The workshops focus on the skills you will need to become a successful tenant with

Stockport Homes. So if you have any concerns about moving into your new home, and would like to learn new skills to set you up for life, these workshops are for you!

There is a £10 high street voucher and a certificate of attendance for all those who attend all three workshops.

Below are some of the comments customers have given about the workshops:

“The workshops are amazing! I would suggest them to anyone.”

“I learnt how to budget properly and how to manage my debts.”

“The workshops were very informative and easy to understand.”

“A relaxed and informative atmosphere.”

“Don’t stop doing the workshops – they were very helpful and would be good for others.”

If you would like to attend the positive start workshops or would like more information, please contact Keir Taylor, Pre-Tenancy Officer on 0161 474 3057 or email [email protected] or call into the Housing Information Centre at 1 St. Peter’s Square and pick up a leaflet.

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Contact Lisa at Stockport Homes on: 0161 474 4151

Are you worried about repossession or eviction?

to see how we can help you

Solicitors

Resettlement news

It’s an ‘A’ for Resettlement!The Resettlement Team have retained their grade A in a recent Supporting People assessment. The team were assessed against things such as: involving and consulting customers; support planning; protection from abuse; and ensuring health and safety.

One customer who was asked about their experiences of the service said:

“I could have made some really bad decisions putting myself at more risk, but the workers politely and professionally steered me in right direction.”

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Customer involvement news

If you have any suggestions, comments or complaints we would really like to hear them so that we can improve. Please see the ‘contact us’ details on the

website or on page 2 of this newsletter.

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You said, we did

You asked for ‘YSWD’ to be placed on the tables at meetings so that everybody could see them.

We have printed out copies of YSWD for each table.

You asked for properties to be advertised on a weekly rather than fortnightly basis.

We introduced weekly bidding.

You asked for invitations to Focus on You and H3 meetings to include a Freepost envelope in order to reply.

In the mail out we now include an envelope and reply slip so it doesn’t cost you anything to reply.

You asked to be able to apply to Homechoice online.

We have now introduced online applications.

You asked for the layout of the Homechoice advert to be simplified and easier to read.

We redesigned the advert with the help of a focus group of customers.

You asked for Homechoice letters to be clearer around how many points had been allocated.

We redesigned the letters with the help of a focus group of customers.

You asked for the opportunity to have in-depth telephone housing advice available as well as the option of a face-to-face interview.

We are piloting telephone advice interviews.

You asked for speakers to come to H3 meetings and discuss real life stories and experiences.

We invited some service-users from the Drug and Alcohol Services to come and give their stories.

You asked for more activities in the temporary accommodation schemes.

We have Christmas Craft activities that are scheduled in at each scheme; these include jewellery, decoration and card making

Musical Fridays introduced including learning to play an instrument.

You wanted more help and advice for when you are ready to move into your first tenancy.

The new Pre-Tenancy Officer is in post and training sessions have been arranged (see page 17 for details).

You said We did


Can you solve these photography related anagrams?

Customer involvement news

Picture praise for Penny LaneBig thanks go out to the Penny Lane Photography Club, who kindly donated their time and talents to help homeless residents in Stockport.

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Volunteers from the club came to the three temporary accommodation schemes to take photographs of the rooms, buildings, communal spaces and gardens to feature in a new handbook for each scheme. These handbooks provide a really useful ‘welcome’ to homeless people moving in to temporary accommodation, and help them to understand the services they can receive in what can be a confusing a frightening time.

Penny Lane Photography Club is a group which is based at Lancashire Hill. They meet on a regular basis to share and learn new skills, work on photography projects and enjoy looking through the brilliant pictures they take.

For more information on the group, please contact the Customer Involvement Team on

0161 474 2862 or email [email protected]

Quiz corner

A CREAM

HARP HOG POT

LEENS

CURT PIE

AVENGE IT

DRAM ROOK

PEAR TRUE

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Performance news

Facts and figures

Housing Options ServiceNumber of visitors to the Housing Information Centre: 12,973People prevented from becoming homeless: 427Total number of decisions about homelessness: 161Full-duty decisions (duty to rehouse): 46Non-priority decisions (no duty to rehouse): 103

Main reasons for homelessness:• Asked to leave by parents: 25%• Domestic violence: 15%• Required to leave accommodation provided by the Home Office: 13%• Loss of private rented accommodation: 11%

Average wait for an interview: 4 minutesAverage number of days to answer letters: 8Decisions made within 33 working days (government guidance): 93%% of customers from a Black Minority Ethnic (BME) background: 7.8%

Rehousing Services – Local StandardsThe Housing Options and Homechoice Teams are very busy services; despite this the teams strive to ensure that customers are provided with good quality support; as a result the following Local Standards have been drawn up in consultation with our customers, and in accordance with national requirements:

April 2011 – September 2011

The following facts and figures are designed to show you how well the services in this newsletter are performing against standards agreed with our customers, and the amount of people who we provide with support.

Standard Target Performance

We will provide comprehensive housing advice literature which is regularly reviewed and updated through customer consultation.

100% 100%

We will offer advice, interviews or home visits where required to discuss your Homechoice application and housing options within five working days of the request.

100% 100%

We will send you a follow-up advice letter within three working days of your Homechoice and housing options advice interview.

100% 100%

We will provide help and advice in accessing work and training opportunities to improve the range of housing options available to you on request within 10 working days.

100% 100%

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Performance news

Temporary accommodation

Temporary accommodation in Stockport is in high demand; Stockport Homes works hard to ensure people are provided with advice to prevent them from becoming homeless, and where this cannot be stopped it aims to ensure that they are helped to move on to their own accommodation as quickly as possible.

Temporary accommodation – Local standards

Rehousing Services – Local Standards (continued)

Scheme Number accommodated

% from BME groups Average length of stay (days)

Families 85 12% 89 daysSingle men 54 5% 65 daysSingle women / mums and babies

36 14% 107 days

Standard Target Performance

Provide accommodation that is clean, safe and meets the Temporary Accommodation Re-let Standards.

100% 100%

Staff will be polite and professional at all times. 100% 100%We will maintain appropriate standards of safety and security throughout the accommodation.

100% 100%

We will consult with customers as to the most appropriate time and frequency for meetings.

100% 100%

We will respect your individuality, cultural or religious beliefs, privacy and dignity at all times.

100% 100%

We will ensure that the reception and communal areas are clean, tidy and safe.

100% 100%

We will make an appointment with each new resident to explain the services available to them within the scheme.

100% 100%

We will provide all residents with a needs assessment interview within two weeks of entering the scheme.

100% 100%

Provide appropriate information, guidance and signposting in relation to other services liaise and make referrals where required in relation to service users individual needs.

100% 100%

Standard Target PerformanceWe will provide fast track interviews on the same day for customers who are immediately homeless and visits to notified rough sleepers will be undertaken within 24 hours.

100% 100%

You will be seen by a member of the Homechoice Team or another staff member within five minutes at the Housing Information Centre.

100% 100%

We will process housing application forms and medical assessments within 10 working days.

100% 100%

We will offer the option of additional support to help you to bid for properties in all cases.

100% 100%


Performance news

Repairs at temporary accommodation schemes

Resettlement Service

At the end of this period 117 cases closed:(split 74 Resettlement and 43 TSO)

Making the temporary accommodation schemes pleasant and safe places to live depends upon making sure repairs are done to a high standard and on time. To help with this, residents are involved in health and safety checks and

encouraged to report faults whenever they see them and are involved in monitoring performance and making suggestions for improvements to the repairs process.

Scheme Total repairs ordered Orders completed within target %Families and offsite flats 85 81 95%Single men 46 45 98%Single women / mums and babies

12 12 100%

Overall 143 138 98%

90 successful (split 63 Resettlement and 27 TSO)

23 remained in properties but disengaged(split 10 Resettlement and 13 TSO)

2 died (TSO service-users)

1 moved to another provider (TSO service-user)

1 went into long-term rehab (TSO service-user)

The Resettlement Team provide support to new and existing tenants in setting up and maintaining their homes. This support can be for up to two years, depending on the tenant’s needs and whether they wish to continue being involved with the service.

209 referrals received (split 121 Resettlement and 88 Tenancy

Support Officer (TSO))

6,778.25 hours of support (3,637.75 Resettlement and 3,140.5

TSO) 222 households supported (130 Resettlement and 92 TSO)

1,995 home visits (split 1,133 Resettlement and 862 TSO)

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Accessing our services

If you would like a copy of this newsletter in large print, Braille, on audio tape or CD, please contact the Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2860 or email [email protected]

A free interpreting service is available if you need help with this newsletter. Please telephone Stockport Interpreting Unit on0161 477 9000. Email [email protected]

Eight modern three bedroom semi-detached homes are ready now on Blackberry Lane, Brinnington.

Only 5

remaining

Purchase prices start from £57,500 for a 50% share plus £35 rent per week payable to Stockport Homes. For more information / to view the properties please contact Luke Hillary,Bridgfords on 0161 477 9393.

Documents

Going Places Newsletter Winter 2011