News & Views London Summer 2014

www.amicushorizon.org.uk

Dates for your diary Page 7

Motiv8+ success Page 10

Get connected

Summer 2014

Meet Archie our digital inclusion robotpage 6

London

and Surrey

2

03.Residents involved

15. Youth page

06. Are you connected?

Summer 2014

What’s in this issue?

2

WelcomeWelcome to the Summer issue of news&views. We’ve been working with residents to improve your newsletter. We hope you like the refreshed design and content. You’ll find the local information is now further back in the newsletter and we’ve included some interesting feature articles and handy tips. You’ll also find a quiz competition on the back

page. Read the newsletter, answer the questions and you could win £30!So, grab a cuppa, put your feet up for five minutes and have a read! We’d

love to hear what you think of the newsletter and if you’ve any ideas for

articles in future editions. You can email me at comms@amicushorizon.

org.uk or call: 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606**.Jennifer Bates Communications Officer (Editor)

16. Competition

04. Your home

05. RAMP page

07. Action days

14. Peformance info

As part of our newsletter refresh we’re going digital! The new digital newsletter will have bonus content, video clips and links. It’s also great for the environment as we’ll be saving paper!

From November 2014 you’ll automatically receive your issue of news&views via email if we hold a valid email address for you. If we don’t, please send it to us at: [email protected] or call: 0800 121 60 60. We’ll still send you a paper copy of the newsletter if we don’t hold an email address for you, or if you opt out of receiving email copies. You can do this by calling us on 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606**.

Top tweetsWe’re now on Twitter! Follow us @amicushorizon

Email newsletter is coming!

Sky community channel - 539 Virgin community channel - 233 Smartphone - My AmicusHorizon 33

Would you like to volunteer? If you’ve got a few hours to spare and would like to volunteer your time to help at local community

projects, visit: www.volconnect.org.uk

You can search volunteering opportunities in your area and find out how to sign up and really make a difference.

Training4youIf you’d like to get more involved in improving our services and feel you’d benefit from training, sign up today! We’ve got a range of training courses available for residents. Choose from:

� Mystery shopping – go undercover and monitor our services

� Equality and Diversity – treating everyone fairly

� Committee skills – the ins and outs of running a residents’ committee

� Communicating with your community – how to get your message ‘out there’

� Assertiveness – make your point without being aggressive

� Conflict resolution – help people come to an agreement

� Introduction to social housing – learn more about how we work.

If you’d like to know more please contact your Resident Involvement Team.

Tenancy conditionsAre you missing out?We met with Eileen Martin (EM), AmicusHorizon Regional Director, to find out more about the new tenancy conditions and why it’s important to sign up to them.

Why are we asking

residents to sign

the new tenancy

conditions?

EM: We’ve changed our

tenancy conditions following

customer feedback on a

number of issues, including

parking regulations. There

have also been changes

in the law we need to take

into account. We’ve made

the conditions clearer so

residents know what their

rights and responsibilities

are.

Do residents get

a new tenancy

agreement?

EM: No, it changes the

conditions of their existing

tenancy agreement.

Do the new conditions apply

retrospectively?

EM: No, they don’t. The new

conditions will apply from

when a resident

signs.

How can residents sign up?

EM: The great

news is over 8,500

residents have already

signed up to the new

conditions. The original

sign up pack was sent out

at the end of last year, but

if you need a replacement

just call us on 0800 121 60

60. You can also sign the

conditions online: www.

amicushorizon.org.uk/

yourview

Who doesn’t need

to sign?EM: If you live in one of our

Housing for Older People

schemes you don’t need

to sign the new conditions.

And if you moved into an

AmicusHorizon home since

November 2013, you’ll

automatically have

signed up.

Do residents have

to sign?EM: No, but it will help us if

you let us know. Just so we

can discuss any concerns

you have and don’t continue

to contact you about this.

- 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606** - [email protected] - www.amicushorizon.org.uk 4

RAMP is here to improve services for youOur Repairs and Maintenance Panels (RAMPs) are made up of residents. They look

at our repairs services and work with us to continually improve them. Here’s what

some of the members have to say…

War on water waste!Saving water is great for the environment and your

pocket! Try these top tips: � Toilets use about 30% of the total water used in a home. Insert a water

device (save-a-flush) in the cistern and save up to three litres per flush

� If you’ve got a shower, use it instead of having a bath. You can have up to five showers for the water used in just one bath. Use a shower timer to avoid being in the shower too long

� A dripping hot tap wastes water and energy. In one week it could waste enough water to fill a bath. Report leaking taps and get them fixed

� Washing machines use a lot of water so always wash a full load

� Wash the car with a bucket and sponge rather than a hose. If you have a water butt consider getting a hose connector

� Always turn off the tap when brushing your teeth

� Chill a jug of water in the fridge. You won’t need to let the tap run cold when you want a drink.

Got a great tip for saving water?

Tweet us @amicushorizon #savingwater

Brushes at the ready…

Decorating your home might seem expensive but here’s some great ideas for refreshing your rooms on a budget!

� Mix your own paint. Buy small sample pots and cheap white paint

to create beautiful pastel colours. These are ideal for decorating bedrooms

� Need different sized paint brushes? Use an elastic band round a

bigger paint brush to create a small brush for corners and cutting in � Line your paint tray with foil. You won’t need to buy new trays for

each colour � Wallpaper samples are free! Use strips of wallpaper samples and

varnish to brighten up small pieces of furniture � Make your own modern art to hang on the wall. Use leftover paint,

stencils, stamps, postcards, material scraps and cheap canvases.

Try this website for inspiration: www.brit.co/diy-wall-art � Get online. If you need cheap paint, tiles and equipment visit online

recycling and second hand sites such as: http://my.freecycle.org/ or

www.gumtree.com.Added Value Service – Remember we’ve a handyperson, gardening and decorating scheme and we’ve recently changed the criteria. You may now be eligible if you: have a full time carer, are a full time carer in your home, or if you’re moving on from CASA supported housing.Check if you qualify by calling us on 0800 121 60 60 or visit our website:

www.amicushorizon.org.uk/addedvalue


RAMP is here to improve services for youOur Repairs and Maintenance Panels (RAMPs) are made up of residents. They look

at our repairs services and work with us to continually improve them. Here’s what

some of the members have to say…

Allan Smith – Kent Chair

“What motivates me is being able to resolve problems, through residents, contractors and staff working together as a team.”

Andrew Creed – Kent Vice Chair

“I’m proud to be part of a governance structure that enables residents to influence and challenge. We improve the repairs service for residents by attending monthly contractor meetings.”

Penny Walker – London Chair

“My interest is around Value for Money and making sure residents get an excellent service. I regularly attend meetings with our contractors and I’m also a Resident Monitor.”

Margaret Ashmead – London Vice Chair

“I’m committed to representing residents by championing local issues and scrutinising performance to improve services in the community.”

Martin Osment –

Sussex Vice Chair

“Being on RAMP means I can help to monitor and improve the repairs service. If problems arise I can talk to staff and contractors about how they can be resolved.”

If you’d like to join RAMP or have a question for them please get in touch with our Resident Governance Officers on: 0800 121 60 60 or email: [email protected].

RAMP Online – Find useful information, advice and tips on the RAMP webpages: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/RAMP

Thanks to Ron

Ron White has been the Sussex Chair for the last three years and is stepping down in September. A huge thank you to Ron for his hard work and dedication to improving our repairs and maintenance service for all residents. Ron has been an excellent Chair and we’re glad he’ll remain as a member of the panel.


The internet can seem a scary place if you’ve never been online. But we’re here to help.Our ‘Get Connected’ project helps residents get online and benefit from the fantastic opportunities the internet offers - helping you find information, connect with family and friends, explore hobbies, pay bills and even do a spot of shopping. We can provide the skills, motivation and access to computers you need to help you get online.

Need some help getting online?

We’ve 48 Digital Champions working in our local communities to help you get online and build digital confidence and skills. They can help you in a friendly and informal environment to browse the internet and see what it has to offer.

If you’d like support from one of our Digital Champions, please contact us on 0800 121 60 60 or email: [email protected].

Could you be a digital champion?

We’re looking for people who are confident using computers and the internet to join our ‘Get Connected’ project and help others get online.

Digital Champions help others understand the benefits of being online and spend some time showing them how. This could include teaching someone how to search the internet, set up an email account or use Skype.

You’ll receive:

� Free training and support to develop your own skills and knowledge

� A Certificate of Achievement to acknowledge your Digital Champion skills

� The chance to meet new people and help others in your community!

Sign up and become a Digital Champion today by emailing your name and address to: [email protected].

“Hi, I’m Nathalie, your Digital Inclusion Coordinator. If you need help getting online I’m here to assist you. Look out for our digital inclusion mascot, ‘ArcHie’ (All Residents Can Have Internet Engagement). He and our Digital Champions will be at a number of summer events giving advice on how you can get connected.”

Are you connected?

Find your local drop in session

Visit www.ukonlinecentres.com to find your nearest drop in centre or contact Nathalie

Harris, Digital Inclusion Coordinator on 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606**

London and Surrey news

Checking ID

Please be aware of bogus callers – we always

encourage you to ask for identification.

Workers from any of our contractors will always carry

their ID. They’ll have the logo shown and the name

of the worker on it. Specialists will not necessarily

be wearing a contractor’s uniform. They will have an

ID to show they’re working with our contractors and

have “subcontractor” written on it. But if in doubt,

please call us and check!

Making a differenceAre you interested in shaping and influencing the services we provide to residents? Each of the Area Panels has vacancies and we’re looking for people to get involved.

We’d like members to represent their panel at events, although you can work this around your availability. We offer training and support for all our members. Residents who register their interest before 12 August will be eligible to stand in the annual elections. For more information, contact Siobhan Denny, Resident Governance Officer.

Cast your voteThe Area Panel annual elections will be held on the following dates:

� Croydon and Surrey Area Panel, Tuesday 2 September, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon

� London South East Area Panel, Tuesday 2 September, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon

� London South West Area Panel, Thursday 4 September, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon.

Anybody named on an AmicusHorizon tenancy or lease is able to vote. So come along and decide who’s elected!

Action Days We’ll be holding lots of fun events over the summer. Come along and say hello at the following venues:

� 6 August, 4pm to 7pm, Romanfield Road, Tulse Hill

� 9 August,11am to 3pm, Lansdowne Green Estate, International Day and Eid Celebration

� 14 August, 4pm to 7pm, Rutherwick Rise, Coulsdon

� 18 August, 4pm to 7pm, Redriff area, Rotherhithe

For further information, contact the London Resident Involvement Team.

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What’s going on in your area?


The homework club at Christie Drive has always been popular – now there’s a new maths club there too!

Emmanuela is a teacher at the club which regularly has 15 young people attend. She said: “It’s so nice to see so many young people coming in after school to do extra maths.”

New maths club!

Over 800 people attended the Momentum Youth Conference at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls.

Our Youth Forum helped to organise this fantastic event that aimed to showcase the talents of young people across the capital.

A number of stalls were also set up offering information and advice on employment, apprenticeships, volunteering and work experience opportunities.

We teamed up with ten other social housing providers to deliver the event.

Bozlur Rashid, Resident Involvement Officer, said: “This event has definitely gone from strength to strength. One million people logged onto YouTube to watch clips from Momentum 2012 and we hope everybody took away something positive from this year’s event.”

Major youth

conference delivered!

The Area Panel are proud supporters of the Croydon foodbank at Praise Baptist Church.

This strong partnership has enabled us to secure vouchers for our residents, providing them with emergency food in a crisis.

The foodbank also offers a cup of coffee, friendly chats, internet access and signposts people to finding help.

For further information about the foodbank, call Sara Weller, Neighbourhood Manager.

Supporting the

local foodbank

news

Youth Forum support Momentum


Next Area Panel meeting: Wednesday 6 August 2014, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon. You’re welcome to attend.

Date for your diary

Your Area Panel has Local Improvement Fund money for your community. It’s used to support improvements for local residents and the community. Over the last year we’ve given grants for:

� Completing fencing at Grenaby Avenue, Croydon

� Additional security lighting at Stroud Green Way

� Sponsorship of FC Predators football strip

� £3,000 worth of Foodbank vouchers.

If you’ve got a project you’d like funding for, please contact us.

Our residents and staff have been enjoying a spot of gardening when the sun has been shining!

They’ve been busy planting sunflowers, strawberries and vegetables at our allotment and community garden in Dagmar Road, Croydon!

The garden was opened in October 2013 in memory of AmicusHorizon employee, Kenneth Benjamin.

A growing garden

Money for your area

in your area

Working in the garden...

Keeping the peace!

Some of our Area Panel members have volunteered to become mediators.

If they’re successful in their training, they’ll be part of our internal mediation service.

The service helps residents resolve issues such as noise nuisance and neighbour disputes.

Our Jobs at Home service has really impressed Mr Kelly from Thornton Heath!

The scheme provides residents with paid work doing maintenance jobs on our properties. Their work ranges from gardening to laying paving slabs.

Praising their high level of work, Mr Kelly said: “You’re doing a brilliant job and making it easier for me to maintain the front garden.”

A happy customer!


London South East Area Panel news

Your Area Panel has Local Improvement Fund money for your community. It’s used to support improvements for local residents and the community. Over the last year we’ve given grants for:

� Garden improvements at Minden Road and Barnards House

� Garden clearance and new paving at Thornsett Road

� Altering the communal bin storage area at Croydon Road

� Installing a new bike shed area at Anerley Hill.


Making a difference

Well done to entrepreneurial artist Kathryn Rennie who has scooped a top business award!

Kathryn, from Anerley, restores original features in buildings to their former glory.

She set up her architectural and decorative restoration business, Fresco London, with the help of our Motiv8+ programme. The programme breaks down the barriers to starting your own business by providing simple and effective training and support.

Kathryn continues to receive support from the Motiv8+ team and says having somebody to turn to has been a massive help. She said: “The Motiv8+ team were there as a safety net. When you’ve somebody to talk to and they’re supporting you it makes a massive difference. You don’t feel on your own. It was a shock to win the award, but it’s given me a real confidence boost.”

Kathryn won the Best Creative Business award at the Grassroots Enterprise Conference.

Tom Arkle, Project Officer, added: “Kathryn has shown that when your passion to succeed matches your skills anyone can start up a business.”

For more information about Motiv8+, call Tom Arkle.

Congratulations Kathryn!

Next Area Panel meeting: Tuesday 29 July 2014, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon. You’re welcome to attend.

Date for your diary

Kathryn Rennie won an award

CEO Paul Hackett and Kathryn


in your area

We’ve been running exercise classes for some of our older residents at Leeds Court, Milliners Court and Lewes Court.

The classes, run by registered gentle exercise instructor Tonia Cook, have proven very popular!

They include fun and light exercise, giving residents the chance to improve their mobility and wellbeing.

One resident said: “I’m housebound and don’t go outside the scheme, I’ve really enjoyed the exercise and also meeting other residents.”

Exercise for all!

Congratulations Kathryn!

Green-fingered resident Benjamin Manning has received a special award for helping to make Southwark a better place to live.

He was given a Civic Award by Southwark Council for helping to transform the communal gardens at Barnards House.

He led a project to turn the garden into a fantastic tranquil space for all residents to enjoy.

Work at the sheltered scheme included designing the new garden and planting stunning flowers.

Fun for the family

A blooming great

success story!

Thanks to everybody who attended our family fun day in Rotherhithe!

We organised a bouncy castle, face painting, and arts and crafts to keep the little ones entertained! Many people gave their views on our service and how we can improve.

Benjamin Manning at Barnards House

Residents enjoy the fun!


London South West Area Panel news

Your Area Panel has Local Improvement Fund money for your community. It’s used to support improvements for local residents. Over the last year we’ve given grants for:

� New chairs, computers and office equipment at Benson Court community room

� A new bike shed at The Old Vicarage

� Laying paving slabs and providing a wooden bench at Pat Williams House

� Installing poles to identify disabled bays at Abbey Court

� A new cooker for the community room at Saxonfield Close.


We held our second awareness day to challenge the stigma around mental health.

The event aimed to promote and support mental health within the community.

The day included one-to-one sessions, where visitors could talk in confidence to a mental health nurse and a member of our Casa Support team.

And the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Adedamola Aminu attended the event to offer his support.

Rebekah Arkle, who helped organise the day which was held on the Lansdowne Green Estate, said: “We’re grateful to everyone who came along to support the day.”

Mental health

awareness

Lambeth Mayor joins in

She picked up the Tenant/Resident lifetime contribution award at the 2014 Housing Heroes Awards!

Monica is a pillar of her community. For the last 30 years her drive and tenacity has helped bring about improvement not only in her locality but surrounding areas also.

The Housing Heroes Awards, organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing, recognise the unsung heroes of the social housing world.

Monica Barnes and her award

Congratulations

to Monica Barnes

Improving your

community


in your area

Next Area Panel meeting: Thursday 31 July 2014, 6.30pm at Grosvenor House, Croydon. You’re welcome to attend.

Our World Food Day held at Lansdowne Green Estate proved a great success!

Lots of lovely food was cooked by mums and dads, including chicken and rice, vegetable curry, lamb dishes, lasagne and pizza.

Over 60 residents attended and were asked to make a donation for any of the food they tasted.

A total of £162 was raised for Refugee Action, an independent charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers to resettle and build new lives in the UK.

World Food Day

Date for your diary

And the lucky

winners are… Four lucky winners of a prize draw, held at our International Women’s Day event, visited the House of Lords.

They were treated to afternoon tea, a tour of the Palace of Westminster and dinner.

The amazing trip was arranged by Kola Ajao, Vice Chair of London South West Area Panel.

One of the winners, Maureen, said: “I’m delighted to win this prize. I’ve never won anything before!”

Fellow prize winner, Marlene, agreed: “This has been an amazing trip. I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

Kola added: “I’m pleased to have been able to arrange this trip with the Resident Involvement Team. I’m so happy that everyone had a great time.”

Enjoying a day in the capital!

Delicious dishes to share

Staff spoke to older residents

Over 60 people attended our Older People’s Forum at Grosvenor House.

The group gave us feedback on where we can improve our services during a lively discussion.

And we provided information about the services we offer older people.

The event also included a nice lunch and a chance for some of our residents to meet new people!

Older residents have

their say...

1414 - 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606** - [email protected] - www.amicushorizon.org.uk

London and Surrey PerformanceHow are we doing?

Customer service

Repairs

Lettings

Income

ASB (Antisocial behaviour)

91.67%

100%

4.87%

96.39%

13.4 days

Resident satisfaction

Our target 92.5%

Repair satisfaction

Our target 98%

Average time to re-let homes – general needs and housing for older people.

Our target 13 days

Rent arrears – general needs

Our target 5.76%

Satisfaction with handling of antisocial behaviour

Our target 93.5%

15Sky community channel - 539 Virgin community channel - 233 Smartphone - My AmicusHorizon

Boost your employment

chancesAre you struggling to find a job? Do

employers say you need more experience or

skills? With Smart Training’s new programme

you can gain ‘on-the- job’ experience while

studying for a qualification to impress

employers.

What’s in it for you?

� High quality work placement lasting six

weeks to five months

� Study for a national qualification – the

Extended Certificate in Work Skills

� Attend weekly tutorials at a local training

centre

� Tuition in maths and English

� Get help with job search, CV writing tips and

interview techniques

� Keep any benefits you’re entitled to.

Once you’ve completed your traineeship

you’ll be in a great position to progress to an

apprenticeship and begin the career you’ve

always dreamed of.

Who’s eligible?

� Unemployed young people aged 16-24,

without any GCSEs (A-D Level)

� People with learning difficulties up to the

age of 25.

To find out more contact: Farai Dangarembizi

on 0800 121 60 60* or Email: contactus@

amicushorizon.org.uk

Drei Rollock had always dreamed of becoming an electrician… Now, thanks to our Motiv8 Lewisham project, his dream is becoming a reality! He’s just started an apprenticeship with large scale electrical contractor Niblock and his future is looking bright. Drei (16) gained A to C grades in his GCSEs and a BTEC in Construction. But one thing he couldn’t gain without a helping hand was experience. So Drei signed up to Motiv8.

Staff met Drei and quickly discovered how passionate he was about anything to do with electronics!

Tom Arkle, Project Officer at AmicusHorizon, said: “I saw how much Drei wanted an opportunity. He’s a very bright young man and needed somebody to put him on the right track to his dream job. We were determined to do everything we could to make a real difference to his life.”

If you’d like to know more about our Motiv8 projects please contact Tom Arkle on 0800 121 60 60 or email: [email protected]

The happeningHere’s what's happening for young people around London and Surrey...

Drei’s a bright spark!


news&views competition

Win up to £30 of high street vouchers!1st prize - £30 worth of vouchers

2nd prize - £20 worth of vouchers

Lovetoshop vouchers can be used in many high street shops.

The answers to all these questions can be found in this issue of news&views. Email your answers to: [email protected] including your name and address. Or post them to: Freepost RSBU-ASLS-XTXZ, AmicusHorizon, PO Box 322, Sittingbourne, ME9 8PQ

Spring competition winner was: Mr Ide of Northiam, East Sussex

1. How many showers can you have for the water used in one bath?

.................................................................

2. How many Digital Champions do we have working in our local communities?

.................................................................

3. When will we start sending the newsletter by email?

.................................................................

4. What does RAMP stand for?

.................................................................

5. How many residents have already signed up to our new tenancy conditions?

.................................................................

Name: .............................................................

Address: .........................................................

Email: ..............................................................

Telephone .......................................................

Call us: 0800 121 60 60* or 01795 434 606** and choose the option you need

� To make a payment or for advice with your rent account, press 1

� For repairs, press 2

� For all other housing, neighbourhood or tenancy enquires, press 3

� If you’re calling from an organisation offering products or services, press 4

Online: www.amicushorizon.org.uk

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/AmicusHorizon-Ltd

Follow us on Twitter: @amicushorizon

Smartphone: Go to the iTunes App Store or Google play and search My AmicusHorizon.

Remember:Your next edition of news&views will be sent to you digitally if we hold a valid email address for you.

You can view the digital newsletter for this edition at: www.amicushorizon.org.uk/

newsletters

Did you know?You can use computers and access free wifi in our newly refurbished Grosvenor House reception in Croydon.

*Calls free from a BT landline, charges from mobiles and other networks may vary.**If you are calling from a mobile, it may be cheaper

for you to dial 01795 434 606.

Useful contactsCut out and keep me handy!Win

16

Documents

News & Views London Summer 2014