AlphanewsA MAGAZINE FOR OUR TENANTS

Edition 2 - 2015

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE

Ingredients• 1 tbsp sunflower oil• 1 large onion, thickly sliced• 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped• 2 tbsp curry paste (or gluten-free alternative)• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 400g can chopped tomatoes• 300g leftover turkey, diced• 300g leftover cooked potatoes

(either boiled or roast), diced• 2 tbsp mango chutney• Small pack coriander, roughly chopped• Rice or naan bread, to serve

Go classic with your turkey leftovers and make this healthy and filling meal with peppers and tomatoes. Cooking time – prep 5 mins & cook 15 mins (serves 4 or keep and freeze individual portions)

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over a fairly high heat.

2. Cook the onion and pepper for 3-4 mins until starting to soften and brown slightly.

3. Stir in the curry paste and garlic, then cook for another 1-2 mins.

4. Add the chopped tomatoes and 150ml water. Bring to the boil and bubble for 5 mins.

5. Turn the heat down, stir in the turkey and potatoes, and cook for another 2-3 mins, then season and add the mango chutney.

6. Scatter with coriander and serve with rice or naan.

TURKEY AND POTATO CURRY

The kings they came from out the south, All dressed in ermine fine; They bore Him gold,And gifts of precious wine.

The shepherds came from out the north, Their coats were brown and old; They brought Him little new-born lambs-- They had not any gold.

The wise men came from out the east, And they were wrapped in white; The star that led them all the way Did glorify the night.

A Christmas Carol

Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.

(Recipe from Good Food magazine)

Alpha Housing Ltd

Alpha Housing Developments

Sheltered Housing Agherton Grange, PortstewartAlexander Court, BelfastAntrimville Court, BelfastBelfry View, NewtownabbeyCarnvue Court, CarnmoneyCarrickeden Grange, PortadownCarrs Court, Sandy RowCrosby Court, BangorCross Street, KillyleaghDunseverick Court, BelvoirGreenmount Court, BangorHenry Court, MoiraJohnston Close, BallymenaJohnston Court, KnockLegacorry House, RichhillLeyland Lodge, BallycastleLowry Court, BelfastManse Court, MillisleMcManus Court, NewryMontgomery Court, BangorMontgomery Manor, BangorMooreland Close, BallymenaMullagh Court, MagheraNorthland Court, CarrickfergusOne Irish Gate, CarrickfergusQuarry Gardens, PortadownRathmore Manor, NewtownabbeyStepping Stones, ComberTaylor Court, BelvoirThe Whins, CrumlinThe Whins Close, CrumlinWeir Brae, ComberWeir Court, ComberWeir Close, ComberWilton Court, Shankill

General NeedsAshgrove, DunmurryBelleville, BallymenaCastlehill Terrace, BallymoneyJohnston Close, BallymenaParkview Close, BallymoneyRiverview, Ballykeel

Alpha House, 6 Edgewater Road Belfast BT3 9JQTelephone: (028) 9078 7750 Fax: (028) 9078 7766 Email: info@alphahousingni.org www.alphahousingni.org

The angels came from heaven high, And they were clad with wings; And lo, they brought a joyful song The host of heaven sings.

The kings they knocked upon the door, The wise men entered in, The shepherds followed after them To hear the song begin.

The angels sang through all the night Until the rising sun, But little Jesus fell asleep Before the song was done.

By Sara Teasdale

Welcome...It is so hard to believe that another Christmas is almost upon us and another year has flown by. As the headline on the opposite page says “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection” and our Chairman, Eileen Askham reminded us of this in her remarks before the December meeting of the Board.The Chairman reflected that over the past year the Board had mourned the passing of two of its stalwart members Alastair Giffen and Walton Balmer, another member Charles Stewart had stood down after many years of faithful service, a number of staff members had either retired or left the Association and our oldest tenant, Harold McIntyre, who lived at Carrickeden Grange in Portadown had died. Most schemes had lost tenants too so many of us will this Christmas be reflecting on the loss of good friends, neighbours and colleagues.

But all of us will have had cause to rejoice over the past year whether it be as a result of good news about our own health or that of a family member or friend, the birth of a baby, a special anniversary and so on. In this edition there are photographs of happy events at schemes and those may bring back happy memories. When we think of the Christmas story we should not forget that we are thinking of a family that did not have a home. We are in the business of providing homes and it is our aim to do that in such a way that can make people’s lives better.

We are aware that tenants at the schemes are very active throughout each year in raising funds for many different charities so you too are helping to better the lives of others. At Head Office we have been raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society and so far over £1500 has been raised. Further details are given later in the Newsletter. Alpha can be proud of the way it reaches out beyond its walls to others in our community.

Our latest annual report is now available and you will find a copy either in your scheme or you can see it online. You will be able to see from the report that our Tenant’s Forum is functioning again, we have very few empty homes, we respond to repair requests well within targets and our rent arrears figures are low. We were inspected by our regulator the Department for Social Development and we were awarded a satisfactory rating. So the Association is in good heart.

In this edition we give you some helpful advice, a Christmas poem, a recipe for Christmas left overs and, as it is important that tenants are aware of the Association’s policies, we have included the first of what we are calling a “Focus on Policies”. On this occasion we are looking at those items which are the tenant’s responsibility but for which tenants will be charged if the Association is required to undertake them on the tenant’s behalf. We hope that this will be helpful.

The Board and staff of the Association which you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Billy Graham Chief Executive

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ARE YOU JOINING IN?We actively encourage our tenants to go along to the weekly activities organised at your scheme or nearby schemes. Attending the available activities is a good social boost, helps your well-being and you could enjoy a nice supper with the other tenants. There are lots of different activities offered ranging from weekly coffee mornings, lunch clubs, bingo, knitting, crafts, exercise classes, boccia, suppers, movie evenings and lots more.

If there is something you would like to see happening in your scheme during 2016, have a chat with your Scheme Manager!

Throughout the year, our staff and tenants make a huge effort to raise funds for a variety of charities. The tenants of Weir Court, Comber raised £600 for Age NI from the proceeds of their annual summer sale. Picture 1 – Tenants of Weir Court pictured with Board Member, Irene Kingston, left and the Scheme Manager Lorraine McKibbin holding the cheque. Tenants from Mooreland Close and Johnston Close in Ballymena held a very successful coffee morning for Macmilllan raising £630! Picture 2 – Tenants enjoying their joint coffee morning with Yvonne Carson, Scheme Cleaner Head Office staff, Schemes and Tenants joined together to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, a fantastic amount of £1500 was raised. Picture 3 – Some of the staff who took part in this year’s memory walk in Stormont Estate as part of our commitment to help and support our tenants and their families who have been affected by dementia. From left to right, Linda Strahan, Senior Finance Officer, Shirley Fyffe McFadden Scheme Manager of The Whins Crumlin, back, Emma McLaughlin, Housing Officer, Alison Harpur, Finance Officer and Helen McCoubrey, HR and Corporate Services Manager.

1. Snakes and Ladders keep the tenants active | 2. The tenants at Agherton Grange, Portstewart enjoy a weekly “fish and chip” evening | 3. Lillian Blair, left and Carol McNamee make use of the scheme computer in Carrs Court, Belfast | 4. Arts and Crafts afternoon at Carrs Court | 5. The tenants of Henry Court, Moira enjoy a history afternoon | 6. Coffee morning at Johnston Court Knock, entertained by Bill McClintock on the keyboard | 7. Rathmore Manor hold weekly boccia tournaments

Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Picture 4

Activities...Fundraising... The tenants of Johnston Court, Knock were busy

with lots of different fund raising initiatives during 2015 including; £102.50 raised funds for the N.I Hospice from the sale of Christmas Cards, £350 raised for McMillan Cancer Fund during an afternoon tea, £95 for Christian Aid and £90 raised for the Alzheimer’s Society. Picture 4 – The tenants of Johnston Court enjoying tea, pictured with Scheme Manager, Gillian Martin. Taylor Court tenants raised £310 and Rathmore Manor raised £210 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Carrickeden Grange, Portadown held a number of successful fundraising evenings, donating to the British Legion, M.S Society and a mission trip to Africa. One Irish Gate in Carrickfergus donated £300 from the proceeds of a coffee morning, quiz and raffle to Hope House in Whitehead, this charity offers short stay accommodation in a peaceful setting for adults with a recent diagnosis of cancer and for those who care for them. The tenants of Northland Court, Carrickfergus raised funds for the NI Hospice. One of the tenants, Fred Rodgers, attends the day Hospice every Tuesday. Fred asked the fundraising team at the Hospice to come to a coffee morning and speak about the work carried out at the Hospice. A fantastic amount of £1007 was raised. A further £145 was raised through the sale of cards, calendars, gifts etc. Well done to Fred and all concerned.

Stepping Stones tenants celebrate 65 years of marriage Congratulations to Roy and Annie Maxwell from Stepping Stones, Comber who celebrated 65 years of marriage. They are pictured enjoying lunch club in the scheme and receiving flowers and chocolates from the other tenants.

News...

8. Tenants from Irishgate and Northland Schemes in Carrickfergus joined tenants from MacNeice Fold to participate in weekly “Games Afternoons”. Tenants are pictured along with representatives from Sport NI. Tenants have found the games afternoons a great way of staying fit and healthy, as well as helping them to keep an active social life! | 9/10/11 Manse Court Millisle tenants relax with beauty treatments as part of their scheme activities

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Charles was elected to the Board of Alpha Housing in April 2009 and was also Honorary Secretary and a member of the Development and Maintenance Committee. Prior to the formation of Alpha Housing on

1 July 2009, Charlie served on the Committee of Abode Housing Association from September 2000 and was elected Honorary Secretary in 2002. Charlie is pictured here receiving his retirement gift from Dr Tom Gardiner, Chair of the Maintenance and Development Committee, on behalf of the board at the Association’s AGM.

Pat Surgenor retired from her position in November 2015, the staff and tenants thank Pat for all of her hard work and commitment to the Association.

Pat was with Alpha since its formation and we all wish her a very happy retirement. Pat is looking forward to spending more time with her family and her young Granddaughter. Pat is pictured here with some of the tenants from Mooreland Close and Johnston Close

BOARD MEMBER RETIREMENT

Helen Boyce celebrated her 91st birthday. She is pictured here proudly displaying her cake which was enjoyed by all at her birthday bash. Nancy Laverty celebrated her 90th birthday in November! She is pictured here during an afternoon tea with the rest of the tenants. Congratulations to Margaret and Dougie McWilliams who celebrated 60 years of marriage. They are pictured with their card from the Queen.

A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS Focus on Policies

News...AGHERTON GRANGE...

CHARLES STEWART RETIRED AS BOARD MEMBER AT THE ASSOCIATION’S AGM.

PAT SURGENOR , SCHEME MANAGER AT MOORELAND CLOSE, BALLYMENA RETIRES

THE TENANTS AT AGHERTON GRANGE, PORTSTEWART HAVE HAD A BUSY YEAR CELEBRATING BIG BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES.

Lawrence Wright from Engage with Age visits the Portstewart Tenants Lawrence is a Development Officer who works for Engage with Age, a charity working in partnership with other organisations to combat social isolation and loneliness amongst older people and to promote health and well- being. Lawrence visited the tenants of Agherton Grange, Portstewart for a day in June. Following a buffet lunch, the group reminisced through old footage of Belfast, The Ship Yard, The Glens of Antrim, The Mussenden Temple and much more. A great afternoon was had by all.

It was suggested that it would be helpful if we would include an item on individual Association policies in each issue of the Newsletter.

The Board has been reviewing the policy on recharging so in this issue we are summarising those works for which the Association will charge tenants.

Rechargeable items are those which fall outside the responsibility of the Association as landlord – examples are set out in the Tenancy Agreement. They may also arise as a result of willful damage, neglect, misuse or abuse whether caused by the tenant, the tenant’s household (including pets), any visitor to the tenant’s property, or any other third party. To be clear these items are not those that arise as a result of normal wear and tear through the duration of a tenancy.

The following items may be rechargeable: (This list is not exhaustive but provides an indication of the type of items for which a charge will be made.)

Current tenants:

• Correcting alterations/repairs implemented by a tenant which are deemed by the Association to be to an unacceptable standard;

• Making good unauthorised building alterations;

• Repairing damage within properties and vandalism where the offender is known and where there is sufficient evidence to pursue a legal action for criminal damage, if necessary;

• Repairing damage to the fabric of the building, fixtures and fittings and furniture and other items on the inventory;

• Changing of locks / making good after forced entry;

• An abortive call by a contractor in response to a previously agreed appointment;

• Repairing electrical faults or dealing with flooding caused by a tenant’s appliance or misuse;

• Resetting electrical trip switches where the fault due to tenant misuse or a faulty appliance;

• Resetting gas boilers where the prepayment card has run out of credit;

• Resetting oil boilers where the oil supply has run out;

• Resetting main fire alarm panel after false fire alarm call (one warning letter will be sent to the tenant following the first occasion);

• Repeated misuse of the Emergency / Out of Hours Helpline (nuisance calls or repairs deemed to be non-emergency issues);

• Infestation if found to be caused by tenant neglect.

Former tenants:

• Cleaning and removal of belongings/rubbish left behind after the tenant has moved;

• Re-instatement where the former tenant has left the property in a condition that breaks the terms and conditions of their tenancy/agreement;

• Corrective work before reletting is possible as a result of the tenant carrying out alterations or DIY of a poor standard;

• Corrective work before reletting is possible as a result of the tenant carrying out alterations which breach statutory requirements.

Where a charge is to be levied, tenants will be given the opportunity to undertake the work themselves. If they opt not to do so the work will be carried out by the Association provided an agreement to pay has been signed in advance. Once the work has been completed an invoice will be issued containing details of the works that were completed and requesting the amount due. 30 days will be allowed from the date of the invoice to make the payment. Payment methods will be explained by the appropriate Housing Officer. If payment is not received by the due date normal recovery procedures will be followed. No non urgent repairs will be carried out until the debt is cleared. Special arrangements will be made where tenants have financial or personal difficulties.

Pictured from left to right: Helen Boyce, Nancy Laverty and Margaret & Dougie McWilliams

WE WANT EVERYONE TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS BUT WE WANT THEM TO

BE SAFE! Follow these fire safety tips to keep your home safe this Christmas

• Check all fairy lights before placing them on a tree

• Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out or when you go to bed

• Don’t let the bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, like paper

• Use only approved lights with cool burning bulbs

• Do not link more than 2 strands of lights together

• If bulbs blow, replace them

• Don’t overload sockets

• Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily, don’t attach them to lights or heaters

HEALTH TIPSYOU COULD SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE:Spotting the signs of a stroke – FASTF acial - weakness

A rm - weakness

S peech -problems

T ime – to call 999

Spotting the symptoms of a heart attack – STOPS omething’s not right – symptoms can start slowly

T ightness or pain in the chest, arm, neck or jaw

O ther symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea or sweating

P hone 999 immediately – the ambulance crew will do an ECG

How to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke:

• Stop smoking

• Watch your weight

• Keep physically active

• Eat a balanced diet

• Moderate your alcohol intake

• Manage your stress levels

THE BOARD AND STAFF OF ALPHA HOUSING WISH ALL OF OUR TENANTS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Our head office switchboard will operate as follows over the Christmas period;

Christmas Eve – 9.00am to 1.00pm Christmas Day, Monday & Tuesday 28th and 29th – closed Wednesday 30th December – 9.00am to 5.00pm Thursday 31st December – 9.00am to 1.00pm Friday 1st January – closed

In case of emergency over the Christmas and New Year period pull your Helpline cord where one is available or ring Telecare direct on 08007313081

Normal business hours resume Monday 4th January 2016.

SEASONAL SAFETY HAVE A SAFE CHRISTMAS...

Alpha Housing Ltd Telephone: (028) 9078 7750 Fax: (028) 9078 7766 Email: info@alphahousingni.org www.alphahousingni.org