Streetboard success

Customer Newsletter
Winter 2012
TarkaTimes
Streetboard success
Your new
personalised website
We’ve developed a completely new website with you and
for you this year. The internet is the future, more so now than
ever with it being the main way to source benefits and
mutual exchanges.
It’s a useful and easy source of information such as the latest
on welfare reform, services you receive, opportunities and
jobs. It will also make it easier for you to contact us using the
forms, Facebook and Twitter links.
£30
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Make life easier – log in to your new website
and online account. www.westwardhousing.org.uk
The 100th customer to log in will win a £30 prize!
Learn more on page 4-5
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Streetboarding is a fast-growing urban sport.
Paul Russell of Paignton has just become the Amateur
Streetboard Champion.
Paul is an absolute inspiration who experienced a severe
assault in 2009 and developed post traumatic stress
tress which
affected his social confidence. He has worked his
is
way through extensive therapy and discovered
a way to learn focus and rebuild his health
through street boarding.
Not online
at home yet?
Make payments
the smart way!
BT Basic is a simple, low-cost telephone
landline service if you're on a low income.
It costs £14.40 every three months which
includes £4.50 to spend on calls. You pay
every three months. You need to be claiming
one of income support, income support
jobseekers allowance, employment support
allowance (income related) or pensions credit
(guaranteed credit).
To find out more call 0800 800864.
If you don’t want a landline and use the
internet through a mobile phone then you can
get some amazing deals now with companies
such as Giffgaff.
Please make sure you investigate carefully
before taking up any of these deals, we are just
offering suggestions we know to be affordable
at the time of writing.
The allpay App is a fantastic way of making a
payment quickly and easily. It is a
secure mobile phone application
available to download free of
charge on Apple or Android
smartphones.
It makes paying your bills so
much easier.
To begin using the allpay App all
you need is your smartphone, a
valid allpay swipecard (or 19 digit
payment reference number) and
a current bank card.
Simply download the allpay App
and, after a brief registration
process, you can pay your bills
AppStore
at the touch of a button.
What’s more, you can save all
your payment numbers and
amounts, plus bank card details so
you don’t need to enter the same
information every time.
www.allpay.net 0844 225 5729 Google Play
HOW TO CONTACT US
Our website has online forms where you
can contact us quickly and easily at a time to
suit you. If you wish to email us, send to
info@westcountryha.org.uk.
Opening hours:
9am - 5pm Monday to Friday
Telephone numbers:
Switchboard: 01237 428080
Housing Services: 01237 428090
Freephone Repairs: 0800 107 8191
Out of Hours: 01752 770302
If you have hearing problems, please use
our RNID Typetalk on 18001 0800 500 888
(textphone users) or 0800 7311 888
(hearing people).
Text: 07768 616161
Email: info@tarkahousing.org.uk
Tarka staff email formula:
firstname.surname@tarkahousing.org.uk
Website: www.westwardhousing.org.uk
Tarka Office:
Freepost RRRT-UBBY-UYLT
Tarka Housing, Tarka House,
Clovelly Road Industrial Estate,
Bideford EX39 3HN
2
If you would like to receive an email
with a hyperlink letting you know when
Tarka Times is available on the website
each issue, please let us know at
vanessa.gray@westwardhousing.org.uk
Please always check the ID of anyone
who comes to your home,
including Tarka Housing staff.
If you or someone you know would
like this issue of Tarka Times on CD or
audio tape, in large print, in Braille or
in another language, please contact our
Communications Team on 01803 217560
or at info@westwardhousing.org.uk
TAPE
LARGE
PRINT
BRAILLE
CD
ANOTHER
LANGUAGE
Welcome
Data security
Westward takes its responsibilities to keep your
personal data secure and confidential
very seriously.
Information sharing laws have changed in
2012 and we can now be asked to share your
information to smooth the assessment of
benefit claims.
So you will need to register yourself for your
online web account using your date of birth
and your person identification number which
we have sent to you by post last month with
a letter and postcard about our new website.
After registering you will be able to log in with
your email address and password. Please keep
the password completely to yourself.
Communications Group
is shining example
Westward’s communications group appear in
a new public relations text book, The Public
Relations Strategic Toolkit by Alison Theaker
and Heather Yaxley, as shining examples of
how customers can be truly engaged in a
communication process and produce their
own information for other customers.
The aim of the group is to produce company
information but by and for our customers.
Tales of personal achievement by other
customers are published to encourage
readers to have the confidence to try new
things, take up new interests and find new
skills and experience.
Only leaflets and newsletters where
communications group customers have
been involved in the creation, drafting and
approval of them can earn the customer
approved tick.
Their work extends to the web pages,
new tenants handbook DVD and the
annual report.
rt.
Your new website
site
and online account
ount
We’ve made great strides
des by devel
developing
loping
a completely new website for you this
year. The internet is the future, like it or
not, and more so now than ever with it
being the main way to source benefits and
manage mutual exchanges.
I’m pleased that our site is now up there
with the best – clear, simple and easy
to use.
Have a look for yourself at
www.westwardhousing.org.uk
You’ll notice the name change to our
parent organisation Westward, so we now
have an even bigger online community
with Tarka Housing and Westcountry
Housing customers together. This
means we can share costs and have a
better website promoting our services
to all Westward customers from both
Westcountry and Tarka.
There’s even more reason to look at our
site now that you can use it to view your
personal details – like checking your rent
account balance, your household details
or reporting a repair – through the My
Account secure log-in area that’s just
about you.
Any job vacancies we have come up on
the site and you can visit our Facebook
and Twitter sites from there as well.
There’s a step-by-step guide to registering
inside this issue.
Some more important information in
this Winter issue is on welfare benefits
changes and how they may affect you.
Please read it carefully. We are trying not
to be too alarmist about it but some
of the changes could be difficult for
some people. We are here to help and
remember that by using the online rent
payment link on our new site you can
p
make sure you make regular manageable
m
payments and don’t fall into arrears.
p
Nigel Barnard, Managing Director
TarkaTimes
k
3
ONLINE
ACCOUNT
OPENS NEW
DOORS
The new personal online
account where you will log
in with a personal password
is a secure way to check
your rent account and
personal information.
You will be able to request
a repair, use the Allpay link
to pay your rent, check and
update the details we hold
about you, see when you
are next due for a new
kitchen or bathroom, make a
complaint and report antisocial behaviour.
Make life easier
How to log in guide.
1. Go to
www.westwardhousing.
org.uk/Myaccount
and click on “Register for
My Account”.
Be the first
to log in and
have your own
account!
We want it to be a useful
and easy-to-find source of
information such as the latest
on welfare reform. It will also
make it easier for you to
contact us using the forms.
We want to know what you
think, so vote on the home
page poll or use the Contact
Us form to say what else
you’d like to see on there
next as we shan’t stop till the
site is right.
Thank you to all
customers who helped
design our site.
4
2. Enter your date of birth
(dd/mm/yyyy) and your person
identification number (this
can be found on the letter we
sent you in December). Click
'Continue'.
3. Enter your own valid
email address – this must be
your personal email account
as you will need to access
your emails to confirm your
registration. We will also store
this email address in our
system so we can contact
you about your account if
required. Make sure you type
it in carefully twice and check
it is correct before continuing.
4. Create your memorable
password – this must include
at least one capital letter and a
number.You are responsible for
remembering your password
and keeping it a secret. If you
forget it you will need to reset
it using the link under the log-in
button. Click on 'Register'.
5. Check your email account.
You will have been sent an
email welcoming you to My
Account and asking you to
confirm your registration. This
is sent for security reasons to
ensure you are the owner of
the email address.
Paul’s a winner
The 100
th
custom
er to lo
g
in will w
in a
£30
PRIZE
6. Click the link in the
confirmation email – you
will be directed back to the
Westward website and a
message will display saying
your email address has been
confirmed.
7. Congratulations! You can
now “log in” to My Account at
any time using your person ID
and password in the boxes in
the top right of the website.
If you have any problems with
your registration please email
info@westwardhousing.org.uk
or call 01803 217500.
Streetboarding is a fast-growing urban sport. Your
feet are securely strapped on the pivoting plates,
so you can hop up and down curbs and
other obstacles.
Resident Paul Russell is the new
Amatuer Streetboard Champion. The
competition in Bristol saw professional
streetboarders awarding points based on skills
demonstrated in a set time period.
It takes focus to become as good as Paul Russell; you
need serious commitment to your practice, good
concentration skills and not to mind when you hurt
yourself now and again!
What people don’t realise is that three years ago Paul
was violently and badly beaten. The attack left him with
severe post-traumatic shock and a loss of confidence
that meant he could not go out of the house.
Paul said, “When you’re not well it isn’t easy to do
anything. Don’t let your demons dictate to you. I was a
nervous wreck. If you are ill you have to talk about it.”
The man who sold Paul his first board, Alex Wheeler,
hhas a recurring brain tumour
aand Paul says his determination
tto stay in the game has really
ggiven Paul perspective. He said,
““When you are ill you think no
oone is worse off than you but it
is
isn’t true. I owe everything to
A
Alex, he got me started and now
I look at him and he’s such an inspiration despite his
poor health.”
Paul is 31 and what he loves about the community of
extreme sports enthusiasts is their non-judgemental
friendship. The focus and concentration required to
streetboard has helped in all areas of his life.
He’s been streetboarding for two years and was
delighted to win in his first amateur competition. “A
big jump gives you huge confidence and they’re a great
community. It helped me a lot with social phobias after I
had been afraid to be in enclosed spaces or with crowds,”
said Paul.
You ccan see Paul in action on vimeo if you type
in UK amateur streetboard championships. If it
looks fun and you would like to have a go you
look
should take a look on Youtube or Google and
shou
check out Red Pen online.
che
TarkaTimes
5
Money
Welfare reform changes
could affect you very soon
You will need to manage paying
your own rent and service
charges in full and on time.
From October 2013, Universal Credit will
be paid monthly and the housing part will
not be paid directly to us - your landlord,
it will be your responsibility to
ensure that all housing costs are paid,
including rent.
(This will not affect people who are older
than 61½ years of age by April 2013)
Please don’t feel overwhelmed or nervous,
we are here to help you.
Over the next year we will be notifying you
of any events and courses that will help
manage these changes. In the meantime, if
you have any queries regarding this please
contact us.
Your rent statements may carry
information on the welfare reform changes, if
there are any surveys or questions with them
please take a few moments to respond.
Direct Debit is still the easiest and most
reliable way to pay your rent. This way you
can’t accidentally miss a payment date, don’t
have to remember to do it and it is hassle
free. It is essential that you don’t fall into
arrears on your rent account and this will
prevent that happening.
The clock is ticking for
welfare changes
There are lots of different
aspects to the welfare reform
changes, we have listed the
main points below:
Things are
changing!
The welfare reform act 2012
will make huge changes to
how social welfare is decided, calculated
and paid out.
Don’t leave it too late
!
The majority of these changes will affect
people of working age. In many cases it
will mean a reduction in benefits, including
housing benefit, so you need to understand
how it might affect you.
Universal Credit
This aims to simplify the benefits system by
bringing together working age benefits into
a single payment. You will need to manage
your money from each single monthly
payment and make sure you pay your rent
very promptly, in line with your tenancy
agreement. All universal credit claims will
be made on the internet and they start
from October 2013.
Direct Payments
As part of Universal Credit (above) your
housing benefit will be paid direct to you –
not to your landlord. You will need to make
your own arrangements for your rent to be
paid. It starts from October 2013.
Benefit Cap
Money Advice
You can pay your rent through our website
www.westwardhousing.org.uk using a debit
card and the secure link will take you through
to allpay, or pay direct at www.allpay.net
Let us know if you want any help with this,
our number is on page 2.
6
The total benefit you can claim is to be
capped. If you live in a property where rent
is no longer covered by benfits, you will be
responsible for paying the shortfall. It starts
from April 2013.
Council Tax Benefit
The amount of support you receive may
be cut. You will need to contact your local
council yourself to see how this might
affect you. It starts from April 2013.
Matters
Personal Independence Payment
Replacing Disability Living Allowance for
eligible or working age people. You will need
to contact The Department for Work and
Pensions yourself to see how this might affect
you. It starts from April 2013.
We are working with other organisations
including local councils and Citizens Advice
Bureau to ensure you receive all the advice
and support available to you, so you are
prepared for these important changes.
Bedroom Tax
From April 2013, The Bedroom Tax, also
known as ‘under occupancy’’, will apply to new
and existing housing claimants of working age.
You will be assessed by your local authority
to establish the size of accommodation you
reasonably need.
If you are deemed to be under-occupying
your home according to the new housing
benefit regulations, your housing benefit will
be reduced depending on the number of
bedrooms you under-occupy by.
The reduction will be 14% for one spare bedroom
and 25% for two or more spare bedrooms.
The reduction will be a percentage of your eligible
rent – not your housing benefit entitlement.This
can vary depending on property size and level of
under occupation.
You may be affected by the bedroom tax if:
r*Gyou are of working age (under 61 years
and 6 months in April 2013) you will be
affected by the bedroom tax
r*GZPVXJMMCFZFBSTBOENPOUITBGUFS
6 April 2013 AND you are living with a
partner of working age.
You will NOT be affected by the Bedroom Tax if:
r:PVBSFB single person aged 61 years and
6 month or older before 6 April 2013 (that
is, anyone born before 6 October 1951).
r:PVMJWFJOBPOFCFESPPNIPNFPSCFETJU
r:PVIBWFBTIBSFEPXOFSTIJQQSPQerty
Check how much you are likely
to lose
Using Quids in! magazine’s Bedroom
Tax calculator (www.quids
inmagazine.com/bedroomtax-calculator) you can see if
you have a ‘spare’ bedroom according to new
housing benefit regulations. The calculator will
also show you how much housing benefit you
could potentially lose.
Ask yourself if you can make up
the difference?
Check that you are receiving everything you
are entitled to. If want to stay there and think
you can manage, you should make plans to put
aside the extra money you will need.
Consider your options and
seek advice
If your housing benefit is likely to be reduced
and you cannot make up the difference, you
need to consider your options and seek advice
immediately.
Everyone’s situation is different, so you must
seek advice from our Money Advice Team.
If you want to consider moving to a smaller
property or a mutual exchange, contact your
Housing Officer.
Stay in touch with
us because if we
don’t know and you’re
in trouble then we
can’t help you to
sustain your tenancy.
The most important thing is
not to ignore the changes –
don’t bury your head in the sand. Thingsianrge
chang
These changes are coming in
from April 2013 so it is better
to be prepared rather than
Don’t wait ‘till
leaving it until the last
it’s too late!
minute and panicking.
TarkaTimes
T
ark
kaT
Times
7
Your new look Rent Statement
You w
will have recently
received
receiv a 'new look'
rent statement. These
will be
b coming out
each quarter and will
give you an overview
of your
account for
y
the last three months.
The
Th balance in the
coloured
box will be
co
your
yo balance on the
day
d the statements
were
put into
w
production,
so
p
please bear that in
mind if you have
made a payment
in the
p
week before receiving the statement; it may
not be showing on your balance.
If you receive housing benefit that is paid
directly to Tarka, please be aware that you will
most likely get statements that will show your
account in arrears because housing benefit
pays in arrears. Please be assured that we are
aware of accounts that are in arrears purely
because of housing benefit and you will not be
receiving arrears letters. This statement is for
your information and to give you an overview
of your account. If there is a problem relating
to your account you will be contacted.
The message in the bottom right hand corner
(currently about facebook) changes regularly
and there are often important messages in
here so please keep and eye open for these.
Remember you can also view your
current rent statement on My Account on
the new website
www.westwardhousing.org.uk/myaccount
Selling your
shared
ownership
property
Shared ownership
p is a ‘stepping stone’ onto
d which allows you to buy
the property ladder
your home in stages. But what happens if you
want to sell your shared ownership property
to buy a different home on the open market
instead, or need to move for another reason?
More information is given in the seller’s pack
and you can contact either Trudy Bond or
Peter Lander in Home Ownership Services
on 0300 100 1011 if you would like to chat
about selling your share.
Fancy Sunday Roast on Us?
Let's get those arrears down for the summer!!
We know that with money getting even tighter
at the moment, rent can sometimes feel like a
stretch too far.
But if you clear your arrears, or sign up to
an arrangement to pay your arrears, and keep
up repayments for the next 6 months, you
will automatically be entered into a prize draw
for a gorgeous hamper of goodies, provided
by Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons.
8
If you already consistently keep your rent
account up to date you will also be entered
into the draw.
For more information, and
to sign up to an arrangement
to clear your arrears,
please contact
your housing
officer at Tarka.
01237 428090
My volunteer work with community transport
Hi, my name is Cheryl
Russell-Cargill a tenant
with Tarka Housing. I
volunteer once a week
as a booking desk coordinator with Torridge
Community Transport
Association. I take telephone
calls and deal with enquiries from users of
the service offered. This is a wonderful service
which is always looking for more volunteers,
read on to learn more about us. I'd encourage
other residents to volunteer for similar work in
their local community.
Torridge Community Transport Association
(TCTA) aims to provide a "transportation
safety net for all", young and old, able bodied
and disabled.
These vital services attempt to tackle aspects
of social exclusion due to transport system
issues. This aids equality of opportunity and
improves access to social, health, employment,
leisure, and education services.
We rely on paid administration staff and willing
volunteers manning the booking desk.
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The booking desk operates five mornings
a week.
Our Ring and Ride now
runs on a weekly basis
co
throughout the area. Tesco
donated funds which
enabled us to buy a
15 seater minibus and
a smaller 7 seater
vehicle with wheelchair
accessibility. Our three
vehicles enable us to
offer services such as
a Passenger Excursion
Club and a Community
Group Hire service
allowing registered
passengers and groups
ekends
to use the vehicles at weekends
and evenings.
TCTA currently operate one of the largest
volunteer car schemes in Devon, providing
transport service to approximately 50 parishes.
We are always ready to welcome new
volunteer drivers in the area who we train and
greatly value. Our doors are always open to
people willing to come forward and offer their
time in other ways from delivery leaflets to
being a trustee.
To volunteer for (Minibus / Car) driving
please contact TCTA on 01237 425522.
To enquire about the services available
call 01237 423232.
TarkaTimes
9
c
Westward residents and staff had their
BIGGEST EVER Coffee Mornings all over
Devon and Cornwall for Macmillan Cancer
Support and raised a whopping £2,058.60p.
Events including live music, bricabrac and cake sales, were held at
our sheltered schemes in Prince Street, Newton Abbot, Ethelwynne
Brown Close, Bideford where Joy Turner, Eileen Brown and Joan
Lewis worked hard to make this a huge success, Griggs Close
in Northam, Chubb Churchill in Bideford, Truro Young Women’s
Centre with Denyer Court from Falmouth – old and young pulling
together to raise money, Markers at Uffculme, Plymouth Mother
and Baby Project and our offices.
We shouted out loud and clear that we wanted people to join
us to have their cake and eat it whilst raising money. And they
certainly did that!
d
e
Griggs Close, Northam b & f Alan Wright, Wendy Parker, Cathy Martin,
Anna Hooper, Carol Hooper, Teresa Kersey and Arthur Lee at Chubb
Churchill, Bideford. Alan Wright, Wendy Parker, Cathy Martin, Anna Hooper,
Carol Hooper, Teresa Kersey and Arthur Lee at Chubb Churchill, Bideford
c Denise Acton and Lucy Rickson, Westward d Truro Young Women’s
Centre with Denyer Court and e & g Prince Street, Newton Abbot
a
a
f
b
g
Winter Driving
We all know that the first serious ice, frost or snow comes as
a bit of a shock. To stay safe, please be prepared.
It’s sensible to have:
r An ice scraper
r Drinking water
r Warm clothes
r Jump leads
r Blanket
r Mobile phone
r Lots of screen wash
r Tyres with good tread
and air pressure
r Shovel
r Boots
And when you are in a rush it’s too easy to skimp
- don’t drive off with a tiny hole cleared in the
windscreen. Clear snow from ALL windows and
wing mirrors first. Stay Safe!
10
Ending Homelessness
Alexandra House has made a film about the journeys of just a
few of the people who came to them as homeless and how they are
moving on successfully now with their lives.
Their stories make powerful listening and the complexity and
uniqueness of each situation help create an understanding of this
challenging world. Watch the film at www.youtube.com/zoeticmedia
Alexandra House is a Supported Housing Project, providing self-contained accommodation for
23 single homeless people (male and female, aged 18+) in East Devon.
It's all about helping the individual on the road to recovery. The film allows them to tell their
stories and show our work.
Neil Curtis had his own tenancy which
broke down after an issue with housing
benefit and rent arrears. Neil was then
sleeping rough and turned to alcohol; he
needed support in his alcohol misuse, anger
management, building relationships with
family and regaining confidence before taking
on independent living. After 6 months he
is now working full time and has managed
to find accommodation. Neil has, with the
support from Alexandra House, turned his
life around in quite a short time.
Anthony Soutar has lived here for 9
months – is an artist and is now facilitating a
sketching group which has boosted his self
confidence. He lost his mum (she died at
the family home) and he then could not face
living in the house and so did not take up
the tenancy he was entitled to. Anthony was
sofa-surfing for a while. Anthony needed
to build his confidence and take support in
dealing with grief.
Rebecca Brooks was referred by Action
for the Blind. Rebecca needed to have
support in learning life skills and confidence
before moving on to independent living. She
is a musician and plays gigs in the local pubs,
community centres and residential homes.
She facilitates the drumming workshop at
Alexandra House.
Joe Macleod was living in a shared house
with a little support; however he then had
another person move in who had extremely
high support needs. This resulted in Joe
losing some of his independence as there
was always a support worker in attendance.
Joe needed to gain more confidence in
living independently. He has been here for 7
months and wants to build computers.
TarkaTimes 11
Delivery of
Tarka Promises
Achievements
D£22 million in total
invested in your homes
since transfer
D£13.7 million on
improvements and £8.3
million on repairs
D15 years ahead
of schedule with
improvements to nontraditional (not brick
built) homes
DIncreased local
employment of staff from
54.9 to 66.6 full-time
equivalent since transfer
DBought a permanent
office in Bideford
Level of
investment over
first 5 years
943
D
New bathrooms
658
D
New heating systems
651
D
Electrical upgrades
1000
D
Fencing boundary walls
500
D
Tarka meet and the Decent Homes Standard and
now exceeds it with the Westward Standard.
Repairs &
Views
maintenance taken into
service
account
Top 25% of
Housing Providers 86.0%
Nationally
83.0%
69.0%
Tarka Housing
86.8%
70.5%
89.9%
%
Tarka
Delivered
New kitchens
National Summary - Tenant Satisfaction Measures
Overall
service
Tarka
Promise for
number of
homes
Independent BMG Research in 2011
Satisfaction Survey
Results
A big thank you to our
808 tenants who
completed the satisfaction
status survey.
This survey is used
across the country by all
registered providers so
they can compare their
results against each other
to compare performance.
Tarka’s results place it in
the top 25% nationally and
for certain results in the
top 10%.
12
“I think it’s true to say that housing conditions are
significantly better under Tarka than they would have
been under Torridge District Council. Tarka have
invested 3½ times more than Torridge would have
been able to invest in housing stock – a fact which
was recognised by the audit commission.”
Barry Parsons Leader of Torridge District Council
Customer Involvement
DTraining and support for tenants
D Local offer (600 tenants involved)
DSummer activity programme
DMobile office vehicle sourced with customers to take
Tarka into the community
DResident Auditors reviewed complaints, voids (homes
between past and new occupants), and estate inspections
DTarka Standard (800 tenants at roadshows)
DTarka Tenant Panel
DVariety of user and focus groups including
Communications Group
Rented
New homes
Provided at Hartland, Bideford,
East the water, and Torrington.
Total
Green achievements
D PV solar panels installed on 84
properties, 3 sheltered schemes
and Tarka House office
D83 fitted with solar thermal
DEnergy minders fitted to oil central
heating systems
102
New Build Total
Home Buy
32
134
D81 air source heat pumps
D70% of all building waste recycled
In 2013:
- Air source heat pumps
in 49 homes
- Solar thermal
systems in 15 homes
TarkaTimes 13
Competitions! Competitions!
WIN A £10
10
voucherr
Colouring Competition
Me
r
ry
Ch
ris
s
tma
To enter
Closing date: 28th January 2013.
Colour in the picture, fill out this form and send to the
freepost address for a chance to win a £10 voucher.
Name
A
Ad
Address
Age (children only)
Postcode
Colouring Competition Winners
Charlie R (6)
Bideford
Lucy Burgoyne (13)
Winkleigh
The winners of the autumn colouring competition each receive
a £10 voucher and congratulations.
14
Amy Witney (Adult)
ord
d
Bideford
Competitions! Competitions!
WIN A £10
voucher
To enter
Word Search
D
S
M
B
W
B
N
N
G
T
O
O
F
L
E
O
P
I
S
U
V
I
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P
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V
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G
Q
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D
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A
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W
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O
L
L
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P
A
O
G
R
U
D
O
L
P
H
I
WIN A £10
voucher
Sudoku
Mr W. Curows
of Bridgerule,
Holsworthy
is our
Autumn winner.
Y
T
Z
C
N
D
P
L
Q
A
T
H
3 5
7
6
5
3
8
4
9
7
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3
6
4
1
2 9
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1
6
2
7
1
8
4
2
8 3
Name
Age (children only)
Address
Fill out this form and send
d to the
h
freepost address below for a chance
to win a £10 voucher.
CHRISTMAS
GIFT
STOCKING
WINTER
SNOW
TREE
HOLLY
SLEIGH
TURKEY
STAR
RUDOLPH
PUDDING
Name
Address
Postcode
Age (children only)
Riah Anns of Stibb Cross,
who found the 12 carnival themed
words is our Autumn winner.
How many?
WIN A £10
voucher
How many Christmas
Crackers are hidden in this
issue – not including
this illustration?
Count them and send this form to How
the freepost address below for your many?
chance to win a £10 voucher!
Name
Age (children only)
Address
Postcode
Postcode
Congratulations to A. Davies of Northam
who found the 7 drums in the last issue
and receives a £10 voucher.
Send all entries to Communications Team, Westward Housing Group,
Freepost Plus (RSHL-HLZA-EJLC), Newton Abott TQ12 4PH by 28th January 2013.
TarkaTimes 15
Westward's Green Journey
Keeping the cold out
External wall insulation has been carried on non-traditional homes to improve heat retention
and this has been done 10 years ahead of schedule.
The properties which benefited include Barton Tors in Bideford, a number of homes in
Holsworthy and some rural locations have received this shell or coating to improve their
insulation. This programme is ongoing next year.
Renewable heat source
A green efficient heating system
Westward’s two
housing associations,
Tarka and Westcountry, are
working with Anesco to provide
a range of improvements
to suitable properties, after
successfully bidding for funding
through the government’s
Renewable Heating Premium
Payment scheme.
Not all properties are
suitable for air source heat
pumps (ASHP) installations.
Properties need both cavity
wall and loft insulation and
to have no mains gas supply.
Tenants that have had the
ASHP’s installed have enjoyed
the constant year round
hot water, the cleanness of
the system and the cheaper
running costs.
Customers are encouraged to
come along to future events to
learn more about this heating
system and have their questions
and concerns answered by
trained members of staff.
The funding means we can
provide a further 15 Tarka
homes and 20 Westcountry
homes with solar thermal
panels; as well as another 49
Tarka homes with ASHPs.
The grant value
was £159,000
for Tarka homes
and £26,000 for
Westcountry
homes.
These
energy efficiency
measures will help
reduce carbon emissions
and help some struggling
households to save vital
money on spiralling
energy bills.
Photovoltaic (PV)
solar panels
Westward participated in one of the largest
social housing energy schemes of its kind
in the UK. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
were installed on the roofs of around 600
properties, including sheltered housing
schemes, domestic properties, offices and
blocks of flats.
Nigel Barnard, Westward’s Director for
16
sset Management sai
id ““Helping
Hellpiing to manage
Asset
said,
and wherever possible reduce energy costs is
one of the vital services that we provide to our
customers.
We look forward to introducing a range of energy
efficiency measures designed to meet the future
needs of our customers, whilst helping minimise
the impact of fuel poverty.”
Tenants rate the air source heat pumps
The Asset Management team
has visited areas such as
Hartland and Winkleigh where
some residents will have these
new heating systems.
Customers were encouraged
to meet the staff involved
from RES (Devon) who will
install the heating systems on
behalf of Anesco, and watch
the Advantage South West
film on how to run the system
at its best. The customers can
see a working air source heat
pump and its controls.
Carol Williams, Asset
Management Coordinator,
interviewed Pyworthy tenants
about their ASHPs which
were fitted two years ago.
Mrs Curnow says, “We used
to have a Parkray burner and
radiators in our house. We got
through three bags of Anthracite
each week in the winter. The
house was lovely and warm,
but we then had to also pay for
the electricity for the immersion
during the summer when we
weren’t using the fire. So it was
more expensive.
With the new ASHP it’s a lot
cleaner. And since we are on
a key meter we know exactly
what electricity we are using. It
is cheaper than the coal fired
heating. It took a while to get
used to the controls but we
find it easy now. We have nice
new radiators which are bigger
than the old ones. We set the
thermostat to 18 degrees and
leave it alone most of the time.”
It usually costs about £2.00
a day in the winter, and £1
a day in the summer.That’s
for all our electricity and
heating though. It includes
the washer, dryer, shower
etc. We have good cavity
wall insulation and it’s
mid-terrace.
Another tenant in Shortlands
is delighted with her ASHP
too as it's cheaper and cleaner.
“It took a while to get used
to the noise when the heating
system comes on at night, but
after a few weeks you learn to
tune it out like any boiler. It’s
just the pump running so it’s not
that noisy anyway.”
ASHP and boiler
Water Sure
Digital controller is so easy
to use. There are many
programme options.
Solar PV Panels
In April – Sept 2012, Anesco report
that in Westcountry Housing
properties with solar PV panels:
r L8IXBTHFOFSBUFEPG
expectation) and this saved 388 tonnes
of carbon.
r5IFCFTUQFSGPSNJOHTZTUFNTJODMVEFUIF
Plymouth and South Hams area, even on
the edge of Dartmoor at Buckfastleigh.
The average saving by our households through
electricity generated from their solar panels in
September 2012 was £30.60p per month.
And they have the pleasure of exporting energy
to the National Grid from time to time too!
You may be entitled to pay a reduced charge for
your water if you receive certain state benefits,
have a water meter fitted and:
rIBWFPSNPSFDIJMESFOVOEFSUIFBHFPG
living with you, or
rTPNFPOFMJWJOHJOZPVSIPVTFIPMEIBTBNFEJDBM
condition which causes extra water to be used.
Advice on tap
Did you know - each year 20,000 people in
Devon and Cornwall save an average of £450
per household on their water bills by having a
water meter fitted - just like Rose
from Plymouth.
South West Water advisors are
working with Westward to offer help
if you aren’t managing to pay your
water bill or if you would like to save
money by installing a water meter.
South West Water
customercontact@
southwestwater.co.uk
Accounts helpline: 0800 169 1133
Debt helpline: 0800 083 0283
TarkaTimes
TarkaTimes 17
Delighted locals
move into new
Launceston homess
Happy tenants move into
20 homes rented through
Cornwall Homechoice, the latest part
of the 67 new properties Westward has
provided in total at Kit Hill View
in Launceston.
The modern and centrally located
development was built by regional
developer Wain Homes and funded by
Westward. The total cost of the scheme
was £4,860,000 and the site was bought
from a local land owner.
Claire Greenaway said “Since February I’ve
been staying with friends. All my stuff
is packed away and it’s been so difficult.
I can’t wait to get into my own home, it’s
beautiful and I’ve been longing for this day.”
Showers in the ground floor flats have
been particularly welcomed by those
of an older age group or with
limited mobility.
The top quality affordable
accommodation is for those with truly
local connections. Kimberly Fowler said
Westward staff were really helpful and
made it easy. She had been in an old
cottage and her daughter was being
affected by the damp there.
Poetry Corner
Do you dabble in poetry, are you moved by
issues around you in society, relationships, or
by the landscapes in which we live?
Seasons of the Year is a clear winner for
this issue.
The year will start in festive mood
With yuletide log and heated brew
The days are short and in decline
design
Soon frost and snow will make their design
Bright lights, parties and hogmanay
Will sweep us into New Years Day
Whilst brittle leaves transformed by snow
Through winter’s days they coldly go
Until in March we are transformed
With winds and rain and lashing storms
The snow is swept from beneath our feet
And the winter now is in retreat.
Bring on the sun and gentle rain
This is April’s new refrain.
With dancing flowers and budding leaf
Will herald this glorious spring’s release
And so we pass now into may
The sun grows strong as blossoms play
A breeze will help them dance and sway
Softly on a summer’s day.
Long days of Summer, balmy nights
Trees in full bloom to send us light
June’s glorious days warm and bright
To Equinox, its longest flight
With creatures bustling to and fro
The young to feed and watch them grow
Towards July, our summer’s end
For soon with autumn, summer will blend
The days are warm with summer glow
And fruit trees heavy on the bough
Grain in field show a different hue
To ripen gently for the harvest dew
August and harvest will combine
To gather grain and fruit sublime
The days still warm but evenings chill
As night creeps in, the day to steal
The harvest ripens and work begins
Until grain and fruit are safely in.
As August ends and winter nears
The harvest festival appears.
So sends this verse of seasons flingg
To greet again a frosty scene.
Terry Brooks, a Tarka tenant living in
Torrington writes poems of a wide range of
topics including current affairs, health, climate/
weather and animals to relax.
18
1
8
Struggling with debt?
Free debt counseling in your community from an award winning charity
Christians against Poverty. And no! They are not just for Christians so
get in touch.
DEBT
They can do home visits, help work out a realistic budget, help you to
put the money you need to pay bills into a single account and then
arrange all those payments for you and help take you on the journey to
being completely debt free!
DEB
Call free on 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org
T
Loan sharks must be stopped
Illegal money lending is a huge problem. Anyone who operates a money
lending business without a licence from the Office of Fair Trading
is acting illegally. They often charge extortionate rates of interest
and may behave in a threatening way.
Report them:Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003
E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Log-on to www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Private message us at www.facebook.com/stoploansharks
Turn to
Call 0808 802 2000 for a free and
confidential helpline is open 8am to 8pm
Monday to Friday.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx
Confused about insurance?
You do not need buildings insurance if you are
a fully renting tenant, and you also do not need
extras such as boiler insurance and emergency
repairs services.
You do need contents insurance and one
approved insurance scheme we are happy to
recommend is My Home, for their leaflet please
call direct on 0845 337 2463 or ask
the Neighbourhoods Team.
Free, independent and
confidential help and advice
to resolve legal, money and
other problems.
Call 08444 111 444 or find
your local bureau at
www.citizensadvice.org.uk or visit
our self-help website www.adviceguide.
org.uk for practical, reliable information
to help you solve your problems.
19
Complaints - we are
dealing with them!
Complaints are important, we welcome them.
They let us know when things have gone wrong
and when you are dissatisfied with an aspect of
our services.They are also an important way for
us to learn and improve services offered to you.
If you are unhappy with a service you have
received from us and wish to make a complaint,
we want you to tell us.
A complaint is a service that has been
performed poorly or not at all. This relates to
our staff and contractors.
The way in which we deal with complaints
has changed.These changes come from
recommendations made by the Resident Auditors
as part of their review of our complaints process
earlier this year.The recommended changes
include and the progress made on them are:
DA simpler three stage
policy agreed
with customers
DA revised information
leaflet designed and
agreed with customers
DA joint Westcountry
l i t Group
G
and Tarka Customer Complaints
of customers to help us improve how we
deal with complaints
DA complaints coordinator to analyse trends
and support staff
DStaff training
DQuarterly satisfaction survey with prize
draw to encourage returns
DImproved letters
DComplaints form on new website
Performance (April - September)
Complim
en
they help ts are always welc
us kno
ome,
getting th w when we are
ings right
.
So far this year we have received 223 complaints.
We will regularly update you and let you know what improvements we will make as a result.
160 compliments were received, almost half of these were in
relation to the service provided by staff.
Top three types:
Repairs
Communication handling
Staff
92
35
26
Top three forms of
complaint received:
Letter
Complaint form
Telephone
75
66
55
Which area of business
complained about:
Westcountry
Tarka
Supported
Westward
20
120
56
42
5
Customer Complaints Group
We are currently a group of 6 residents from Westcountry
and Tarka. We meet quarterly to look at performance
information in relation to complaints. We have also had input
into the new policies, leaflets, letters and staff training.
We are confident that the changes will make a huge
difference into how your complaint is handled. There is
an emphasis on staff to get as many complaints as possible
resolved at stage one of the process. From looking at the first
two quarters performance we are really pleased to see that
80% of complaints are dealt with within 10 working days, this
has increased from 71%. We will be speaking to staff from
various parts of the organisation to learn more about the
type of complaints they receive and how they handle them.
If you would like to join the Customer Complaints Group
please email Emma Falconer on complaints@westward.org.uk
Westward Involvement
Team hosts priorities
workshop
On the 12th November we held an Active
Customers Event at Roadford Lake near
Okehampton. It was an opportunity for
Westcountry and Tarka customers to get
together, meet new people and look at ways
we can work together in 2013.
After a beautiful buffet lunch the group was
treated to two different workshops: one circus
skills and one Tai Chi. Both groups were very
enjoyable and lots of laughter was heard in the
circus workshop as several attempted juggling,
plate spinning and poi twirling.
The other group was a much more serene
affair with a workshop on Tai Chi - a Chinese
martial art aimed at bringing harmony
to the participant.
Around 30 people attended and the feedback
we received has been really positive. In
the morning the group looked at what are
customer priorities for 2013 and this will be
turned into an action plan with Westcountry
and Tarka customers.
We will be organising more events throughout
2013 and would encourage more people to
get involved. There are different levels to suit
interests and lifestyle so please contact one
of the team 01803 200300 to talk about the
various options.
Meet the new Westward Involvement Team:
Terry, Ami, Paul, Chris and Lesley
Join us! Get involved.
If you are interested in being involved at Tarka or Westcountry, we want to know Contact
us on 01803 200300 and ask for WIT – the Westward Involvement Team – then we can tell
you about the huge range of ways you can be involved.
Compensation - we're dealing with itt
We have also changed the way in how we are dealing with
compensation claims so it is a simpler for you. Again this was a
recommendation from the Resident Auditors.
They suggested that:
r We revise the policy with customers to make it clear what
compensation will be paid and in what circumstances, and when
we will not pay
r A revised leaflet is designed and agreed with customers
r New letter templates are introduced that allow for a full
detailed response and how we have reached our calculations
r A form is issued for you to sign and accept the level of
compensation offered
TarkaTimes 21
Tarka Repairs Winners
Almost 5000 questions were answered by Tarka tenants in this
quarter's customer satisfaction prize draw. Two winners were
randomly selected by the computer programme from the
377 surveys received, and both winners live in the picturesque
village of Winkleigh. After a lovely drive through winding roads,
Carol Williams arrived at the two locations to present the £50
vouchers to each customer.
Although both tenants chose not to be photographed they were
both surprised and delighted with winning the vouchers.
Mr and Mrs Still
of Ashwater
"What a nice surprise! That will certainly help with the petrol costs,"
one client exclaimed.
"I might just treat myself to something. It's nice to be able to spend
it slowly rather than having to spend the whole £50 at once. That's
such a lot of money. Thank you so much. And tell everyone at Tarka
thank you also," commented the other winner.
Should you wish to be entered into the draw, then please return
Mrs Ellis
the customer satisfaction surveys which are mailed out to each
of Holsworthy
customer who has requested a repair or received a service. It
only takes a few seconds to tick the boxes, write a comment
and post it back in the pre-paid envelope provided. The Asset Management Team appreciates
receiving the surveys and uses them to compliment staff and improve services to our valued
customers.
The Asset Management Team would like to thank all our customers and with them a happy
Christmas and a great New Year.
Fright Night!
On 27th October the United Community Centre
in Bideford held a fantastic Halloween party. The
committee hosted a great evening of Halloween
games, music and spookily-themed refreshment.
It was wonderful to see so many children turn up
in fancy dress and the evening went really well.
Due to the success of the event the committee
is keen to hear from more members of the
community who would be prepared to help with
events such as this so they can do bigger and
better things in the future.
Please contact Jason - Chair of the UCC
Committee on 07818 424703.
22
Don't miss the next
Place2Place outing
near your home
View from the
Tenant Panel Chair
Having stood alongside Julia as
Tarka Tenant Panel
Vice Chair of the Tenant Panel
for 4 years, I would like to say
that Julia was dedicated to the
customers of Tarka Housing, and she always
went the extra step to make sure we were
getting the service we are entitled to.
Nothing was too much trouble for her in
dealing with the issues she had to deal with
and she came through with flying colours.
She was a very thorough and positive,
essential volunteer for Tarka and deserves all
the accolades she receives from those of us
who have had the pleasure of working
with her.
17th December
Durrant House Hotel
Older Persons' Christmas Event
4th January
East the Water new developments & Tesco
for Youth Consultation
As new chair of the Tenant Panel, I hope to
be able to continue and strengthen the work
she started.
30th January
Holsworthy Market Place
Tony Walker,
Chair of the Tenant Panel
Our helpline now works
on a mobile too!
You can now know that you have your safety
covered and stay independant with Tarka's first
Emergency Helpline GMS alarm which works
via a mobile telephone. No telephone landline
required and so it is far cheaper.
All it needs is an extra SIM card adding to an
existing mobile contract - but this cost is far
less than funding a telephone landline rental.
Press the red button
for Emergency Helpline Service
from
£2.79
per week
24 hour security & independence
For more information call 01237 428094
Our customer Michael recently underwent
emergency surgery which saved his life, he
remains active, regularly sees friends and
neighbours, and was a keen cyclist and
serviceman in his younger years. So his
independence is very important to him.
As he lives in Bideford and was looking for
a simple solution to ensure his lifestyle can
continue, he is delighted with his new alarm.
It even works if he leaves his home to walk
his beloved dog Bunty in his garden for some
fresh air and a look at the river.
Helpline staff enjoyed spending time with the
charming Michael setting his helpline
system up.
This GMS alarm service is now available to
other mobile users who may require the alarm
service. Call us any time to find out
more on 01237 428094.
TarkaTimes 23
Want to save money on the
cost of your heating oil?
Westward works hard to help its customers
who have to really worry about being able to
afford their heating bills. If you are using oil
fired heating then this is for you.
Devon Oil Collective want people to join their
new community-based countywide oil buying
scheme. It is an ethical social enterprise project
run by the Community Council of Devon.
The Devon Oil Collective is a new social
enterprise project that can reduce the cost of
your domestic heating oil each time you place
an order. All you need to do to take advantage
of the scheme is to pay an annual membership
fee of £24 for a domestic property or £36 for
a community organisation, which will cover as
many oil orders as you need during the course
of the year.
The scheme is being
promoted by the Community
Council of Devon, a long
established Devon charity.
By bringing communities
together and making the most of joint buying
power, savings can be made and passed directly
to members whose fuel costs are high, simply
because they use oil-fired central heating.
Find out more by telephoning the Community
Council of Devon for a membership leaflet
or going to www.devoncc.org.uk and follow
the link to Devon Oil Collective for the
membership form.
Over the last few months a sister Rural
Community Council has seen members
saving around £50 compared with the market
average price for 1000 litres of heating oil
(a staggering £120 against the highest
prices).That is the power of bulk
oil buying.
And if you live in Cornwall
the Community Energy Club
www.communityenergyclub.
org.uk is your local
source who work by
bringing together
the collective
buying power
of users of oil
fuelled heating
in Cornwall to
access competitive
prices to
reduce
Save m
heating bills.
oney b
energy:
y sa
it's simp ving
le!
Our warm community
Most households waste £1 in every £3 they spend on their energy bill through inefficient
use of energy – you can save money and stay warm by taking some easy action.
r4IVUEPPSTUPLFFQIFBUJOUIFSPPNTVTFEUIFNPTU
r%POUCMPDLIFBUGSPNSBEJBUPSTCZQMBDJOHGVSOJUVSFJOGSPOUPGUIFN
r4FUZPVSIFBUJOHUPDPNFPOIBMGBOIPVSCFGPSFZPVDPNFIPNFSBUIFSUIBOMFBWJOH
it on all day if no-one is in the house.
r$MPTFUIFDVSUBJOTBUOJHIUUPSFEVDFESBVHIUTBOEIFBUMPTT
r3FQMBDFZPVSMJHIUCVMCTXJUIFOFSHZFGàDJFOUPOFTmPWFSJUTMJGFUJNFPOFCVMCDBO
reduce your lighting costs by up to £100 and last 12 times longer.
r5VSOMJHIUTPGGXIFOZPVMFBWFBSPPN
advice@cep.org.uk 0800 9541956
24
The Future
Fuel Poverty pilot for Green Deal
Twelve virtually identical properties with
similar households have been chosen as
a pilot, six of them with energy efficiency
measures and six without so that a
comparison can take place.
The trial will run for two years and will
include PV panels, solar
thermal, SMART meters
and air source heat
pumps. Costs should
be around £39 per
calendar month.
We hope this
will provide clear
information on how
to take the work forward
based on what gives
Westward customers
the greatest benefit.
Advantage
South West
Advantage South West, the procurement club
which we are a member of, runs resident
consultations on assessing products such as
kitchen and bathroom fittings alongside our
tendering processes. Residents are actively
involved and agree that they play an important
role in product selection.
To get the next viewing dates and product
range, or to learn more about how to
get involved please contact your asset
management team using the number on page
2 of this newsletter.
A fantastic new feature on the ASW site is
that there is a description of each of the types
of heating systems that Westcountry and Tarka
install with You Tube quick guides on how to
use the controls to get the cheapest and best
from your systems.
Visit: www.advantagesw.co.uk/index.html
It also has energy saving tips and other
useful information.
Tenants give
ASW products
a thumbs up!
Nine Tarka tenants with staff visited Exeter in
September to view the new products which
will be installed as part of our Improvement
Programme.
Over 100 residents from all over the South
West have attended these product viewings.
On display were various fittings for bathrooms
and kitchens. Tenants whose properties will be
receiving new bathroom and kitchens get to
choose which products they would like from
the selection offered.
One tenant from Torrington reported: “I
had an enjoyable day out; I have already had
my kitchen work done so I was looking at the
bathroom fittings. There were various displays. I
enjoyed looking at them all.”
Mr Sheen, also of Torrington, said, “I enjoyed it
very much. There were very nice fittings and you
get to pick and choose which ones you’d like.”
The Asset Management team try to involve
tenants in all the decision-making processes.
Properties that will receive improvements are
selected by the registered age of the individual
parts, not by location or tenancy.
Different tenants are chosen to attend each
show to allow as many tenants as possible
the opportunity to see for themselves the
selection of fittings available.
As Mr and Mrs Patt, Bideford, exclaimed,
“We enjoyed the day very much indeed. It was
nice to see all the wet room things and the
kitchens. It was a very educational trip. When we
get our new wet room we will know exactly what
to ask for!”
TarkaTimes 25
There are seven differences on the
photos below. Can you spot them?
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Circle the differences, then cut out and send to us by 28th January.
Communications Team,Westward Housing Group, Freepost Plus
(RSHL-HLZA-EJLC), Newton Abott TQ12 4PH
Name
Address
WIN A £10
voucher
Age (children only)
Postcode
Our winner last time was eagle-eyed J. Gliddon of Holsworthy who spotted the seven
differences and receives the £10 voucher.
BBC Countryfile shortlists butterfly photo
JJohn Freeman, a tenant at
Mortimer House in Exeter
is a runner up in this year’s
p
photography competition for the
BB
BBC1 Countryfile calendar.
This lovely image of a butterfly sitting on a
tree stump made it into the top 30 shortlisted
images, beating 50,000 other entries to the top
ffew places. A huge
aachievement!
JJohn took the
p
photo at West Town
Farm at Ide near
Exeter, as part of a
photography project
led by photographer
Clare Henry.
26
6
This working farm is open to the public and
John does voluntary work there with charity
OrganicARTS. He has been doing wood and
carpentry skills there since 2009. You can find
out more about farm based learning at www.
organicarts.org.uk
John said, “I was out walking on the farm when
I came across a wood cutter chopping up logs.
I saw this opportunity when the
butterfly settled and it just came
out so well!”
We hope you enjoy John’s photo.
To order the Countryfile calendarr
visit: www.bbc.co.uk/countryfile
or call 0844 811 7044. A
calendar is £9 and £4 goes to
BBC Children in Need.
A day at the castle
W
Westward
ccustomers invaded
P
Powderham
Castle on
C
October 4th for
O
tthe first annual
consultation event
for the over 60s.
Powderham Castle on the
They met at lovely Powderha
River Exe for the opportunity to tell us what
is important to them about how services are
delivered, give views on communication and
the new website and have some useful tips
about how to save money on their energy bills.
We asked about which methods are best
for contacting customers and the majority of
customers preferred by phone, with letter
second, and texting and e-mail after that.
Customers also considered that 3 days would
be the maximum time for a member of staff to
get back to them when a phone message
was left.
We asked about preferences around
appointments and a large majority wanted this
to be at a time to suit them.
The vast majority of customers also voted that
the customer newsletters provided them with
useful information.
We learnt that some of these older customers
have used our website, whilst a substantial
number do not have the internet but would
like to.
My day at Powderham
by Particia Rudge (Tarka Tenant)
About 10 of us went by mini bus from
the Bideford area, which took us to
our destination with glorious views of
Dartmoor. On arrival, we were greeted
by staff with coffee and muffins.
After this we had a presentation by Karen
Ayling, who is Westcountry’s managing
director. We enjoyed being able to give
our views on various questions regarding
procedures by way of inputs on handsets
linked directly into the computer system.
This was a novelty to most of us.
Another presentation was given by Mary
Popham, who works for Transition Town
Totnes, offering help on fuel economy
with time for Q & As This was very lively
and informative. We were then served a
delicious lunch.
The tour of the castle was wonderful and
our guide was very entertaining.
We then viewed the grounds, lakes, deer
and rose gardens. More coffee was
available later and we were able to talk
to staff who had been so helpful during
the day.
We later made our journey home, after
enjoying a very pleasant day indeed.
TarkaTimes 27
Calling all tenants
Need your own place?
It can be tough buying your first home, but we can make
little easier.
k it a littl
i
South West Homes is the regional HomeBuy agent. It is a one stop shop for those taking their
first step on the housing ladder.
We provide the opportunity for people to achieve the dream of their own home, through a
government funded HomeBuy scheme. We provide an online service (also available by phone)
for potential buyers looking for paths to affordable home ownership.
Visit our website www.southwesthomes.org.uk to register and view properties available.
Or call: 0300 100 0021.
First homes for commercial sale by our new company Horizon Homes
Horizon Homes, a company
owned by Westward Housing
Group, will build commercial
homes for outright sale. The first
site will be 60 homes for Totnes.
The site has planning permission from South
Hams District Council for half of the homes
to be affordable housing and the rest for open
market sale.
Horizon Homes is an innovative solution to
make profits from the open market sales
which can then be gift aided back into the
company to cross-subsidise the cost of more
affordable homes.
The homes will be 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom,
high specification family homes of a modern
contemporary design style and include a
number of environmentally friendly features. The
properties will be ready in early Summer 2014.
Tarka Times welcomes contributions from all our readers (including children) - letters, articles, poems,
photos, cartoons and pictures. The deadline for contributions for the next issue is 28th January 2013.
Please send them to: Communications Team, Westward Housing Group,
Freepost Plus (RSHL-HLZA-EJLC), Newton Abott TQ12 4PH
Tarka Times is produced by Tarka residents, staff and board members and published by Tarka Housing Ltd.
It aims to share news and information and provide a voice for residents.
The Westward Group is committed to treating all people with fairness and respect.
We aim to actively help remove barriers and open doors for our customers and staff
and foster good relations within the communities we serve.
Tarka Housing Association Ltd is an exempt charity, registered under Industrial
and Provident Soc. Act 1965 No. 30101 R.
Tarka Times is printed on uncoated recycled paper using soya based inks enclosed in a polywrap which is 100% recyclable