G2g summer 2015 single pages

Summer 2015

Formerly Gateway to Greenfields

Mr green fingers Our easy guide to gardening

PAGE 21

G2G

FREE FAMILYSWIM PASS

PAGE 18Golden oldies are best! Free sing-along sessions

PAGE 5

Need help to buy?New shared ownership homes launch

PAGE 7

P3 This summer’s success story P3 Home from homeP3 Shortlisted for hat-trick of awardsP4 What’s been happening out there?P6 Changes to Disability Living AllowanceP6 Fraud: the facts P7 Need help to buy?P7 Open up your world – go online P8 Like a challenge? P9 100 Dementia Friends recruited! P9 Want to make changes for the better?P10 Noticeboard P12 TeabreakP13 Kids CornerP14 From Good to Great 2015-20P15 Did you know?P16 How to: First aid on a babyP17 Spotlight on: Support and Wellbeing TeamP18 Additional services in the DistrictP21 Mr Green-fingers’ guide to gardening!P22 In their own wordsP23 Know your Board…Flip Hornby

A welcomefrom the editor

“Summer is here at last! I hope you have all managed to embrace the sunshine and get outside for a bit.

Many of you will have gardens that are in full bloom, but if you want some additional hints and tips – look no further than Mr Green-fingers’ Guide to Gardening on Page 21.

Of course, you may prefer to stay indoors and find out about the world from your armchair! If that’s the case, we can help you to feel more confident about going ‘online’. You can save up to £500 a year by using the internet, as you can access such a wide range of services, including insurance, shopping & banking. Not to mention how quickly you can communicate with others through emails or social media, like Facebook. Find out how we can help you to feel more confident on page 7.

It was an honour to meet the talented young winners of our ‘colour the egg’ competition – well done guys! Their impressive entries are on page 13.

This issue’s Kids Corner competition is for budding writers. Don’t hang about – send your entries in now!

As always, please get in touch if you have anything you want to share with other G2G readers.

See you again soon.”

Amanda Bhavnani - Editor

Call: 01376 332473Email: [email protected]

Amanda x

Contents

Page 2

Daisy“Summer’s here and flowers are blooming. See if you can find 10 hidden flowers in this edition.”

We are proud to say that 22 year-old Matt Lawday is now a permanent member of our Estate Management Team.

Matt was originally part of The Green Team, a yearly pre-apprenticeship programme funded by Greenfields and Braintree District Council that gives unemployed 16-24 year-olds the chance to gain a nationally-recognised qualification and learn new skills, including gardening and landscaping.

Since finishing the programme, Matt has completed an Apprenticeship in Environmental Services with Greenfields and is now a full-time Estate Ranger, helping to keep our estates clean and tidy.

He said: “It’s great going home at the end of the day knowing you’ve made a difference to people’s lives.”

Gateway to Greenfields | Summer 2015

This summer’s success story

Shortlisted forhat-trick of awards

We are honoured to have been shortlisted for three national awards. They are:

1. Outstanding Campaign for the support and advice we provide for victims of domestic abuse

2. Mentor of the Year for James Martin, our Positive Engagement Co-ordinator, who helps to increase the employability, skills and self-esteem of hundreds of young people, using sport as a hook

3. Tenant Lifetime Contribution for Ian Marshall, who is passionate about helping to improve the lives of people in his community and is Chair of our Community Gateway Group.

Sandra Crosby, Greenfields’ Housing Director, said: “Although we certainly don’t make winning awards a priority, being nominated shows that we are being recognised by the housing industry for setting a good example and being more than a landlord.

I am very proud of everyone who helped us to get this recognition, and for the work that they do, day-in, day-out.”

Home from homeIt was lovely to meet 92-years-young Marion Archer, who has lived in her home in Witham for 65 years! Marion, who was born in Witham, moved to her current home in Glebe Crescent with her husband and 11-month-old daughter in 1950. And she never left!

When asked if she likes living in Witham, Marion said that she enjoys visiting her daughter and her friends at the Witham Luncheon Club but feels that the shops in Witham leave a bit to be desired!

Page 4

An ‘eggcellent’ improvement!An Easter Extravaganza marked the completion of £9,000 of improvements to “The Spinney” on the Goldingham Estate in Braintree. There was lots of fun to be had, with prizes for the best Easter Bonnet & drawing, an Easter Egg Hunt, a Bug Hunt and more. The improvements were part of one of our six Neighbourhood Action Plans across the district in the last year, and included laying a log path lined with wood chips, planting 3,000 bulbs and cleaning & clearing foliage and undergrowth from the footpaths.

Other areas that have received improvements through Neighbourhood Action Plans have included Stanes Road flats on the Glebe Estate in Braintree; Barwell and Fortis House on the Hatfield Road Estate, Witham; and Armstrong Way in Great Yeldham.

Grant-giving to change livesWe were pleased and proud to be able to give grants to lots of organisations through our annual £50,000 Community Fund.

The lucky recipients included Steeple Bumpstead pre-school, who were given £2,246 to retain two highly-valued apprentices until the end of the summer term; Braintree Mencap, who received £2,746 to keep its weekly swimming sessions going; and Wickham St Pauls Carpet Bowls and Social Club, who can replace the vital carpet bowls mat after receiving grant of £672.

Toasting transformation with tea!We recently toasted the transformation of Symonds Court older persons’ scheme in Halstead with an afternoon tea and a good ol’ sing-song. The original 29 bedsits have been replaced with 16 self-contained flats with their own kitchens and bathrooms. We also extended the communal lounge; added a conservatory and kitchen; landscaped the garden & added a BBQ area; updated all the furniture and fittings, and added a PC in the lounge for all to use. Joan Brett, who has lived in the scheme since 2011, says: “I love it so much; it is beautiful. Thank you to Greenfields for all that they have done.”

What’s been happening out there?


It’s party timein Kelvedon

If you’re aged 8-14 you may want to pop along to the popular monthly disco at Kelvedon Labour Club.

It costs only £2.50 (plus money for refreshments) and around 100 people turn up each time.

Email Terry at: [email protected] to find out more.

Five new homes in Great Bardfield Residents happily moved into their five new homes in Great Bardfield earlier this year, and we officially celebrated on Wednesday 22 April with a BBQ and cups of tea!

Pupils from Great Bardfield Primary School also came along, including six-year-old Alfie Holland, who won a competition to name the new road Hall Field as this was the historic location given on a map that Alfie found in the local church.

The goldies are the bestGoldies is a national charity which encourages you to sing along to memory-evoking hits from the 50’s onwards, and we’ve funded several sessions in our older persons’ schemes. Anyone is welcome to come along and make sweet music with us!

To find out more visit: www.golden-oldies.org.uk/where or call Gary Elson at Greenfields on 01376 535400 ext. 4115.

benefit overpayment, as well as a caution, penalty or prosecution for fraud.

Last year, 41 households in the District were prosecuted for fraudulent over-payments. There were also 90 Administrative Penalties and 26 Cautions issued.

If you suspect that someone you know is committing fraud, you can report this confidentially be visiting www.braintree.gov.uk/info/200302/benefits/357/report_benefit_fraud or calling 08000 740405.

Do you receive Housing benefit or Council Tax Support payments? If so, it is important that you tell Braintree District Council about any changes in your circumstances, such as your employment status and earnings.

They now receive up-to-date information from HMRC about your household income, so if your income changes and you don’t tell them, you could receive a

Fraud: the facts

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new benefit that will eventually replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Since June 2013, those wanting to make a new claim for DLA have been claiming PIP instead.

If you have an existing DLA claim, the changes now affect you too. If you have a change in your care or mobility needs, or if your award will need to be renewed on or after 12 October 2015, you will be invited to claim PIP and you will no longer have the option of claiming DLA.

PIP entitlement is decided in a different way to DLA. Once you have completed a form, you may need to attend a medical assessment and you will need to score points to be able to receive an award.

Changes to Disability Living Allowance

The Components for PIP compared with DLA are:

There is no longer a ‘low rate’ available, which means there is a possibility that you might lose it if this is the only award you have.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Welfare Benefits Service on 01376 535400 or [email protected]. You can also visit www.greenfieldsch.org.uk/benefit-changes

Page 6

Current DLA award components and weekly rates

DLA Care DLA Mobility

High – £82.30 Highest – £57.45Middle – £55.10 Low – £21.80Low – £21.80

PIP components and weekly rates

PIP Daily Living PIP mobility

Enhanced – £82.30 Enhanced – £57.45Standard – £55.10 Standard – £21.80


Open up your world - go onlineDoes this sound like you?• I don’t know where to start when it comes to

computers• I feel left behind, as I don’t know how to get online• I don’t know what ‘dot.com’ means or when mice

started ‘clicking’!

We are giving you all the opportunity to become confident in ‘logging on’ to the internet, whether it’s through your computer, tablet, Smartphone or something else (don’t worry if you don’t know what a tablet or Smartphone is – that’s what we’re here for!)

We recently held some drop-in sessions at our offices for you to pop in and find out more about going online, and we will be holding some more in the future, so please let us know if you’re interested in coming along.

We are also installing new computer equipment in our older persons’ schemes, and are visiting residents to show them how to use it and what they can gain from it, such as getting discounts on insurance or easily keeping in touch with friends and relatives through ‘social media’ e.g. Facebook.

There is also the opportunity for you to become a ‘digital champion’, if you want to help your fellow residents feel confident going online, and we can support you to do this. It’s a great way to help people and to learn new skills yourself.

If you would like to find out more, call Val Thompstone at Greenfields on 01376 535400 ext. 5678 for a chat.


Shared ownership is a part buy/part rent home ownership scheme. It is designed to help people unable to purchase a home outright onto the property ladder.

Greenfields has new shared ownership properties available within the district, and beyond. Based on your household income and lifestyle, you can purchase as little as a 25% share in a property and pay rent on the remaining share. By initially buying a share, the total monthly mortgage and rent cost is normally less than renting or buying outright a similar property privately. And as your household income allows, you can purchase further shares in increments of 10% or more.

Shared ownership can be a great, affordable way to get your foot onto the property ladder. To find out more about our shared ownership and the criteria you need to meet please visit www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/shared-ownership

Need help to buy?

Page 8

Like a challenge?We’re looking for Greenfields residents to join our Resident Challenge Group. You can help us by:

• Shining the spotlight on different services

• Highlighting areas for improvement

• Making recommendations for change.

This is a great opportunity to use your skills and to learn new ones - and it only takes, on average, eight hours of your time, each month.

Want to know more?

Contact Gemma Foxlow, Business Services Co-ordinator:

Call: 01376 535400

Email: [email protected]

100 Dementia Friends recruited!We were proud to support National Dementia Awareness Week in May, and we’ve been busy recruiting 100 staff members & residents as Dementia Friends.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends Programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about the condition.

We’re backing the national campaign by educating staff and residents about what dementia is, and how they can help in any way – big or small.

Sandra Crosby, our Housing Director, has been leading the campaign and is determined to make a difference to those affected. She said: “We know that around 260 of our residents has dementia, which is bound to affect those close to them as well. The Dementia Friends Campaign is about spreading the word about dementia and supporting those affected. This could range from dispelling myths through every-day conversations, to spending more time with family and friends who have dementia.”

To find out more about the Dementia Friends Campaign and how you can support it, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk or call 01245 454319.


We are currently looking for candidates to stand for election to our Community Gateway Group (CGG).

The CGG is an elected residents’ group, representing the needs and aspirations of all tenants and leaseholders. The group has an important role in making recommendations to the Board based on your views on our services.

It is a voluntary position, and the group meets once a month in the evening for around three hours.

Ian Marshall, Chair of the CGG, feels passionately about the impact you can make by joining the CGG: “The CGG really is at the centre of everything that Greenfields does. Nothing is approved by the Greenfields Board before the CGG has had the opportunity to make comments, amendments and recommendations.

As a member of the CGG you would also have the opportunity to decide how the Community Empowerment Budget is spent. This amounts to thousands of pounds and can be used for the benefit of the Greenfields residents across the District. Also, with a little training, you could participate in Interview panels for staff recruitment, and Tender Panels for awarding contracts to suppliers. There are no specific qualifications required - just a desire to help us to provide the best possible services to our residents.”

Want to make changes for the better?

To hear from a current member of the CGG, take a look at Jean Sullivan’s report on page 22.

To stand for election or ask us questions, please contact Natalie Cook, Greenfields’ Business Assurance and Compliance Manager by calling 01376 332486 or emailing [email protected].

Dates for your DiaryBraintree Museum: Tea and Talks - My historical treasures of Essex, by John DruryWednesday 10 June 2015, Manor Street, Braintree, CM7 3HW.

Call 01376 328868

Halstead Area Forum MeetingTuesday 23 June 2015, 6pm – 8pm

St Andrews Hall, The Vicarage, Parsonage Street, Halstead, CO9 2LD

Braintree Area Forum Meeting (AGM)Wednesday 1 July 2015, 7pm

Greenfields House, Charter Way, Braintree, CM77 8FG

Witham Area Forum MeetingWednesday 1July 2015, 7pm,

Kelvedon Institute, 78 High Street, Kelvedon, Colchester, CO5 9AA

Braintree Museum: Tea and Talks - A Horse’s Tale: An appreciation of the artist Sir Alfred Munnings’ life and work, by Dr Bill TeatheredgeWednesday 8 July 2015

Mr Green-fingers guide to gardening on Page 21

Page 10

Noticeboard


Hope you’re

enjoyingthe sun!xx

Thanks!

Thank you to

everyone who was

contacted as part

of our Customer

Service and Access

Survey. We really

value your input into

helping us to develop

our services.

Inspect your neighbourhood with us

We inspect each area, estate or block of flats once a year, and it would

be great for you to take part so that you can point out any problems

and tell us what you think about where you live. To find out more,

please call 01376 535400 or visit:

www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/braintree-area-estate-inspections-201516

www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/halstead-area-estate-inspections-201516

www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/witham-area-estate-inspections-201516

Wanted! Your ViewsWe are currently reviewing the following policies and would appreciate your feedback:

• Improvement Works Policy• Gas Safety Policy• Licence and Access Policy• Proper ty Asset Disposal Policy• Aids and Adaptations Policy • Safeguarding Policy • Legionella Policy • Oil Safety and Servicing Policy• Domestic Abuse Policy

If you are interested in being involved in these discussions, please contact Jenny Upton (Greenfields Business Assurance Adviser) by calling 01376 535400, by emailing [email protected] or by logging onto www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/your-views

Parking problem...Please think twice before parking in front of a garage that doesn’t belong to you, as it could prevent someone from accessing their garage. Your help is appreciated; thank you.

Our Performance Apr 2014-Mar 2015Description Target Actual Indicator

Complaints resolved within target time 100% 100% Green

Inbound calls resolved right first time 85% 85.4% Green

Amount of rent arrears 3.69% 1.45% Green

Homes not meeting the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ 0% 0% Green

Average time to complete a major aid or adaptation 10 weeks 5 weeks Green

Tea break

Page 12

Celeb did you know...

NumberTriangle

Animal Magic

Charlotte Rampling was born in Braintree in 1946.

What’s in the photo?

Sorry and thank you to the eagle-eyed readers who noticed the misprint on the crossword in the last issue.

Write numbers in the circles so thateach side of the triangle equals 20.

!

Molly Conlin, EastEnders star (Dot Cotton’s granddaughter) “Dotty” is from Witham.

1.__________________CLUE: Not so cuddly

3.__________________CLUE: Flightless

5.__________________CLUE: Tallest

2.__________________CLUE: Panthera leo

4.__________________CLUE: Keratin nose

6.__________________CLUE: Stripy horse

Riddle me this:Mary’s father has 5 daughters – Nana, Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughter’s name?All the answers to this edition’s tea break can be found on page 23.

Kids Corner

?

USE EACHNUMBER ONLY ONCE

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Kids Corner H Kids Corner H Kids Corner H Kids Corner H

Poetry competition:

‘A Summer’s Day Out’Calling all budding writers aged 8-10 and 11-13! If you fancy putting pen to paper and writing us a short poem/story about ‘A Summer’s Day Out’ we would love to hear from you. Please email entries to [email protected] by Friday 17 July 2015, and you could win a prize and have your poem or story published in the next issue.

Competition winnersCongratulations to the ‘eggceptional’ (sorry, we can’t help it) winners of our ‘colour the egg’ Easter competition in the last issue. We hope they enjoy spending their well-deserved WH Smith’s vouchers.

Alfie Newton, aged 10, from Great Yeldham

Samara Hemdane, aged 7, from Braintree

Alienshave

landed!Help us finish off this

drawing of Alan the Alien?

HOME1 - Increase the number of our homes by 700-800- Make 1,800 homes more energy-efficient- Modernise more of our older persons’ schemes

Over the next five years, we plan to gofrom good to great. Here is a taster of how:

- Employ up to 50 apprentices and interns- Help to provide employment opportunities for residents- Offer a range of ways for residents to improve their health and wellbeing

PEOPLE

- Provide 250 work & volunteering opportunities for residents- Give £750,000 of grants to the local community

- Spend £1.5 million on Community Improvements and Neighbourhood Action Plans

To read the full ‘From Good to Great 2015-20’ plan visit:www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/from-good-to-great-2015-20 or call 01376 535400.

COMMUNITY

2

4

3

- Support residents through ongoing welfare reforms - Keep our repairs service in the top 25% in the country

- Launch a support service aimed at residents aged over 85

SERVICE

From Good to Great2015-20

Page 14

HOME1 - Increase the number of our homes by 700-800- Make 1,800 homes more energy-efficient- Modernise more of our older persons’ schemes

Over the next five years, we plan to gofrom good to great. Here is a taster of how:

- Employ up to 50 apprentices and interns- Help to provide employment opportunities for residents- Offer a range of ways for residents to improve their health and wellbeing

PEOPLE

- Provide 250 work & volunteering opportunities for residents- Give £750,000 of grants to the local community

- Spend £1.5 million on Community Improvements and Neighbourhood Action Plans

To read the full ‘From Good to Great 2015-20’ plan visit:www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk/from-good-to-great-2015-20 or call 01376 535400.

COMMUNITY

2

4

3

- Support residents through ongoing welfare reforms - Keep our repairs service in the top 25% in the country

- Launch a support service aimed at residents aged over 85

SERVICE

From Good to Great2015-20

1) During busy periods you can request a call back from our Customer Services Team at no charge to you.

3) If you’re a Gold Member of Greenfields you can receive up to a 10% discount at Carpets 4 Less in Freeport, Braintree.

2) We came 19th in The Sunday Times Top 100 list of Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2015 – climbing almost 40 places since 2013.

4) Greenfields has a Twitter account @GreenfieldsCH and we have over 1,000 followers. Join us!

4) Several of our services, including Income Management & Aids and Adaptations, have been accredited by the Housing Quality Network, which means they not only meet but exceed standard practice, nationally.


Need help to buy?Did you know…?

Page 16

What to do if your baby is choking

1. Check their mouth2. Slap it out:

- Lay your baby’s face down on your thigh and support their head - Up to five blows between their shoulder blades

3. Squeeze it out: - Using two fingers, give up to five chest thrusts - Check the mouth, if the obstruction hasn’t cleared call for an ambulance

What to do if your baby is unconscious

1. Check for a response - Tap their foot and call their name

2. Open their airway - Gently tilt the head back

3. Check for breathing4. If they are breathing

- Hold them in the recovery position5. If they are not breathing

- Begin CPR

What to do if your baby has stopped breathing

1. Call for an ambulance2. Breathe

- Put your lips around their mouth and nose and blow steadily for up to one second - Give five initial rescue breaths

3. Pump - Using two fingers in the centre of the chest, give 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute

4. Repeat - Give two rescue breaths followed by 30 chest compressions - Continue CPR until help arrives

What to do if your baby has a seizure (fit)

1. Clear objects that may cause injury2. Don’t try to restrain them - put pillows or soft pillows around them3. Cool them - take away bedding and remove a layer of clothing4. Call for an ambulance5. When seizure has stopped, put them in the recovery position

while you wait

How to hold a baby in the recovery position

1. Cradle them in your arms, with their head tilted downwards2. Call for an ambulance3. Monitor their breathing, pulse and level of response

This information was provided by St John Ambulance

How to: First aid on a baby

1

2

3

4

5

Recovery Position


Spotlight on: Support and Wellbeing Team

Greenfields’ Support and Wellbeing Team was set up last year to support the overall safety & wellbeing of people in our communities through:

• Managing & developing services for older residents

• Overseeing the support & development of ‘community empowerment’ activities, which allow to you to get involved with making decisions about your home, neighbourhood and housing service, if you choose

• Managing & developing our positive engagement & health and wellbeing projects.

Here is an example of what the 22 members of the team are currently up to:

• Helping our more vulnerable residents to access additional services that they may need

• Helping to organise regular activities at older persons’ schemes to reduce the risk of ‘isolation’ and to increase wellbeing

• Co-ordinating the refurbishment programme for our older persons’ schemes

• Supporting residents in older persons’ schemes• Working with the NHS to help to reduce falls by

vulnerable residents• Organising nine, weekly chair-based exercise

classes, open to everyone in the District• Organising “Goldies” singing sessions in our

schemes and at events• Organising the third round of The Greenfields

Academy, a training programme available to all residents

• Leading our Positive Engagement Programme, which offers various activities for young people, including football and boxing sessions

• Leading the ‘Think safe, be safe’ campaign, to teach school children about the consequences of carrying knives and bullying, and to help them to stay safe on the streets

• Supporting Greenfields’ Community Gateway Group to review its structure & arrangements to be as effective as possible.

This pic was taken before our fantastic Head of Support and

Wellbeing, Jane Coskry, joined us!

Page 18

Additional services in the District

Page 12

Holdfast Credit UnionHoldfast, based in Witham, is a not-for-profit savings and loan credit union that seeks to help its members to manage their money effectively. It offers a range of savings accounts – both for adults and children – which include a standard savings account, Christmas Club, Bill Payment account, and an oil-buying scheme for residents that use oil to heat their home.

It’s very easy to save with Holdfast. When you become a member, they will open a member share account for you in which you must deposit at least £1. They will give you a passbook showing the amount of your initial deposit. Once your account has been set up, you can pay into it in a variety of ways.

By saving with Holdfast you may be eligible for a loan of between 12.68% and 36.8% APR, with no extra charges or penalties for early repayment. Every loan application is assessed by the credit company thoroughly, to ensure that you aren’t over-stretching yourself or falling into debt.

Find out more by calling 01376 516914 or visiting www.holdfastcreditunion.co.uk

VOUCHERFREE Family

Swim Pass

Fill in this coupon and present it at reception to redeem your free day pass.

Lead name:

Address:

Phone Number:

Email address:

Number of adults and children:

*Pass can be used at Witham Leisure Centre, Halstead Leisure Centre and Braintree Swimming and Fitness.

**Pass entitles a family to a free swimming session (up to 2 adults and 2 children.)

***Valid until 01/08/15


Mental Health Awareness Week, 11-17 May Mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience are all about how we cope with what life throws at us. They concern the way we feel about ourselves, conduct relationships, handle stress or deal with loss.

At least one in four people experience a diagnosable mental health problem each year. These can range from more common problems, such as anxiety, depression and phobias; to less common problems, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.

However, there is lots of help and support out there. Admitting you are struggling does not mean you are “mentally ill”, that doctors will automatically put you on medication or that you will have to immediately tell your employer you are mentally unwell. Many issues can be managed without the help of a GP by using the variety of sources of help now available.

To find out more, visit www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/aboutnhsservices/mental-health-services-explained/pages/accessingservices.aspx You can also contact your GP or the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90; or an organisation like Braintree Rethink, that provides self-help art therapy sessions. Find them on Facebook or call 01376 349549

Essex ConnectsEssex Connects is an online directory of services in Essex – ranging from Animal Welfare to Self-help groups and everything in between! Simply use the keyword search to find what you’re looking for. Visit www.essexconnects.org.uk

Problems payingyour water bill?You could save money by changing your tariff or learning about ways to reduce your water consumption. To find out more, contact your water provider. If you’re with Anglian Water, you can call 0800 169 3630 or visit www.anglianwater.co.uk. If you’re with Essex and Suffolk Water, call 0345 782 0111 or visit www.eswater.co.uk

Page 20Page

National Carers Week, 8-14 June Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, to highlight the challenges carers face, and to recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

We are supporting Crossroads Care as our Charity of the Year. Crossroads Care provides regular, short breaks to carers who would like a little time to themselves. The break could allow you to go shopping, see friends, relax with a magazine, have a bath or just have a sleep.

To contact Crossroads Care, call 01376 529986 or email [email protected]

Talking NewsMid Essex Talking News is a charity run entirely by volunteers to provide a FREE weekly service of local news and visually-impaired information for the blind and partially sighted living in Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Dunmow and their surrounding villages.

The volunteers edit, read, record and copy 90 minutes of local news from a range of newspapers, and send it to you every week, free-of-charge. To find out more about using the service or volunteering, contact Roy Hardisty on 01206 545062 or [email protected]; or visit www.midessextalkingnews.org.uk

If you would prefer to receive information from Greenfields in a different format, such as large print or audio CD, please call us on 01376 535400.

Mr Green-fingers’ guide to gardening!

We want to encourage & support you to ‘grow your own.’ We are planning lots of opportunities for you to work with family members, friends and neighbours to grow fruit and vegetables. In the meantime, here are some handy hints from the mysterious Mr Green-fingers…

“Now we reach June, the growing season starts in earnest:

1. If there is a small space available, you can try to grow quick, successional crops and aim to sow early (kohl –rabi, radishes, lettuces etc.) so more can be sown later

2. For succulent fresh tomatoes you can put two to three “bush variety” tomato plants in a grow bag, which will take little effort to grow

3. Try placing “tumbling strawberry” in a hanging basket. Place the container on the window sill and keep the soil moist

4. Try a few runner bean plants grown up a trellis or a few canes placed in a container

5. Herbs can be grown in containers, such as ice-cream cartons; and fresh-cut chives add a delicious flavour to almost any dish.

Why gardening is good for youSome medical experts now regard gardening as the perfect way to keep fit and reduce the risk of potentially fatal diseases. Research shows just two-and-a-half hours a week can improve an adult’s fitness levels. The combination of walking, digging, weeding and raking gives an all-over body workout comparable to anything that can be done in the gym - but without the expense!

If you have any gardening tips of your own to share, please contact the editor. Until next time, my green-fingered friends…”

MR GREEN-FIN

GER

S

MR GREEN-FINGER

S


Page 22

In theirown words

Your resident representatives volunteer in a wide variety of roles to help to make decisions about your homes, neighbourhoods and housing service. Here are some of them in their own words:

Angela Munro,Community Voice “A few years ago I was approached by Greenfields’ Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for where I live and asked if I was interested in becoming a volunteer for Greenfields. The role suggested was that of a Community Voice. I have to admit that, at the time, I had no idea what a Community Voice was, or what it would entail, but I decided to give it a go. And I’m glad I did.

A question I am often asked is “what is the role of a ‘Voice’ and why do we need them?”

I think of it as a stepping stone or a bridge of communication between tenants, other members of the community and

Greenfields. Obviously a Voice can’t solve problems, but what I can do is listen to tenants’ concerns and point them in the right direction for help if it is needed.

I meet regularly with my Neighbourhood Co-ordinator to discuss any issues - both new and ongoing - in the area. And twice a year we walk around the neighbourhood to ensure that there are no unreported problems, and that any previous problems have been sorted.

Every six months all the Community Voices get together at a Greenfields office, which gives us an opportunity to discuss various issues relating to our neighbourhoods. Some good ideas have come out of these meetings as, basically, all the Voices want the same thing . . . a happy, contented and safe community.”

Jean Sullivan, Community Gateway Group Member “I live on the Essex border in a small village, and I have been a tenant of Greenfields from the start.

I am a member of Greenfields’ Community Gateway Group (CGG), and I represent the CGG on Greenfields’ ‘working groups’ as well, including Neighbourhoods, Empowerment and Value for Money.

I have also been on interview panels for recruiting new staff members.

I can’t tell you how much I love it. It is nice to see first-hand where Greenfields is going in the future and to know that I am helping. I know Greenfields is a great company.

Why not come on board and help to make the decisions by joining your local forum or becoming a Community Voice?

You can do as much or as little as you like, but remember, this is your company.”


About you•Joined Airforce at 16-years-old• Got married in Gibraltar and moved around the country with my

husband; managing pubs and raising children together• Moved to Essex and did a wide range of jobs and volunteered

for various organisations, including the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

What’s good about Greenfields?• Do more than rent homes• There to make it better for residents in lots of different ways.

Why are you involved with Greenfields?• To help ensure that the money received is spent in the right way• To bridge the gap between residents and their housing service• To be a face and not just a name.

How would you describe your perfect day?“I would simply go out in the car, go to the nearest wood and enjoy the wildlife and fresh air!”

FRENCHPasserelle pour le bulletin de Greenfields Pour une traduction, composez 01376 535400

LITHUANIANGateway to Greenfields naujienlaiškis Dėl vertimo skambinkitenumeriu 01376 535400

MANDARIN获取 Greenfields 新闻通讯翻译请拨 01376 535400

POLISHBiuletyn Gateway to Greenfields W celu uzyskania tłumaczenia,proszę zadzwonić podnumer 01376 535400

PORTUGUESEBoletim informativo “Gateway to Greenfields” (Porta para a Greenfields) Caso pretenda uma tradução, ligue para o 01376 535400

SPANISHBoletín informativo Gateway to Greenfields (Puerta a Greenfields) Para obtener una traducción llame al 01376 535400

URDU رٹیلزوین زڈلیف نیرگ وٹ ےو ٹیگ ںیرک نوف رپ سا ےیل ےک ہمجرت 01376 535400

Translations

www.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk

Please Note This newsletter can be made available in larger print, in Braille, on audio CD or in an alternative language by calling 01376 535400

This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper

Know your Board...Flip Hornby

Tea Break AnswersANIMAL MAGIC 1.Bear 2.Lion 3.Emperor Penguin 4.Rhino 5.Giraffe 6.Zebra

RIDDLE ME THIS: Mary.

1

6

7

2

5 3 8

9

4

Formerly Gateway to Greenfields

G2G

Telephone01376 535400

[email protected]

Websitewww.GreenfieldsCH.org.uk

Head OfficeGreenfields Community Housing LtdGreenfields HouseCharter WayBraintreeEssex CM77 8FG

@GreenfieldsCH

Documents

G2g summer 2015 single pages