June 2007 For Freebridge Community Housing Tenants Home ... Ahead/Streets Ahead... · 18 – 19 Policy Holders Prize Draw | Partnership brings CCTV to Bagge Road and Oak Circle 20

Freebridge Community Housing’s Decent Homes Improvement Programme is now well underway, with some £8.6million worth of work carried out between September 2006 and March 2007 on replacement kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, central heating systems and rewiring. This equates to some 3800 individual installations.

Tony Crane, Assets Manager at Freebridge is pleased with progress, “Obviously, with a total programme worth £73million over the next six years, some tenants will receive their improvements earlier than others. However, we can now publish our proposed timetable (see pages two & three).”

Pages 2 – 3 Improvement Programme Areas | Works schedule from 2006/07 to 2011/12 4 – 5 Trading questions and answers | Tenant mystery shoppers | 6 – 7 The TOWN Diary | Training that matters 8 – 9 A Tenant award winner | New communities… New stories 10 – 13 Secção portuguesa | Статья на русском языке

14 – 15 Sheltered Housing – striking the right balance | 16 – 17 A close community 18 – 19 Policy Holders Prize Draw | Partnership brings CCTV to Bagge Road and Oak Circle 20 – 21 Regional Representation for Freebridge Tenants | Nominations for the 2007 Freebridge Tenant Awards

22 – 23 ‘Tell us what you think’ leafl ets | How are we doing? | Back Page Freebridge celebrates its 1st birthday

TH

IS I

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Magazine

Freebridge Community Housing’s Home Improvement Programme is now well underway, with some £8.6million worth of work carried out!

Tony Crane (Assets Manager).

June 2007

For Freebridge Community Housing Tenants

Внутри издания: Интервью с португальским арендатором.

Приложение о Бесплатных курсах

английского языка страница

Tony Crane went on to say, “It is important to note that our timetable is subject to changes and amendments, although this is the version which is presently being worked to.”

It is also important tenants continue to report any repairs which may be required to their property by telephoning us direct via the Free-phone number: 0800 169 1694.

It may be that if the repair which is being reported relates to an item (for example the kitchen or bathroom) which is about to be replaced or upgraded that we undertake minimal, ‘patch up’ repairs as an interim measure.

Neste número: Entrevista com uma arrendatária portuguesa.

A Freebridge na Friends Taverna

Cursos gratuitos de Inglês Página

Home Improvements Programme – What, Where and When?

Paul Girling (FCH carpenter) with an appreciative tenant.

02 FREEBRIDGE COMMUNITY HOUSING

Improvement Programme Areas

FREEBRIDGE COMMUNITY HOUSING 03

If you would like this newsletter inanother format, please ring Rita O’Donnell

on 01553 667738. We can provide

•Large print versions•Audio cassettes•Other languages•Versions readable on a computer

Help With Information

Se deseja esta informação emPortuguês, por favor, visite um dosescritórios do conselho ou escreva

para a morada abaixo.

Please report all repairs using telephone number: 0800 169 1694

Area Windows Doors Internals excl. Heating

Heating

Downham Market 2006 / 07 2006 / 07 2008 / 09 2006 / 07

Hunstanton 2011 / 12 2008 / 09 2007 / 08 2006 / 07

KL Centre 2010 / 11 2008 / 09 2009 / 10 2006 / 07

KL Fairstead 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 2010 / 11 2009 / 10

KL Gaywood 2008 / 09 2008 / 09 2006 / 07 / 08 2006 / 07

KL Hillington Square 2008 / 09 2008 / 09 2011 / 12 2010 / 11

KL Marsh Lane 2009 / 10 2006 / 07 2008 / 09 2006 / 07

KL North Lynn 2010 / 11 2007 / 08 2011 / 12 2007 / 08

KL Rural 2010 / 11 2006 / 07 2009 / 10 2008 / 09

KL Seabank 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 2010 / 11 2007 / 08

KL South Lynn 2006 / 07 2006 / 07 2007 / 08 2006 / 07

KL Stonebridge 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 2010 / 11 2009 / 10

Rural – 1 2011 / 12 2007 / 08 2008 / 09 2007 / 08

Rural – 2 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 2009 / 10 2008 / 09

Rural – 3 2007 /08 / 09 2007 / 08 / 09 2009 / 10 2008 / 09

Rural – 4 2011 / 12 2007 / 08 2009 / 10 2008 / 09

Rural – 5 2009 / 10 2006 / 07 2010 / 11 2009 / 10

Rural – 6 2011 / 12 2008 / 09 2008 / 09 *2007 / 08

Rural – 7 2009 / 10 2008 / 09 2006 / 07 / 08 *2007 / 08

Rural – 8 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 2006 / 07 / 08 *2007 / 08

Rural – 9 2011 / 12 2007 / 08 2007 / 08 *2007 / 08

Works schedule from 2006/07 to 2011/12

* Only applies where gas is supplied at the present time.

Please Note:Some rural areas are still subject to investigation regarding alternative energy options.

The plan may be subject to changes in certain circumstances.

This plan details which areas will receive which improvements and within which of the six years. What it shows is when all the homes in a given area that need the work done will have it carried out. This does not indicate that all properties will receive every improvement.

There are some properties that do not follow the general trends, non traditional homes for example. A programme of works will be developed in consultation with tenants who live in this type of property.


What does your job involve?

My work is carpentry based. I do responsive repairs and programmed repairs in the central area. I also undertake priority one repairs, such as when a tenant is locked out, evictions and I even assist the police during raids of various descriptions. Of course we make sure one-off jobs are done as soon as possible when things are so bad that they won’t wait for the Home Improvement Programme to arrive.

What is the best aspect of your job?

That it’s very varied. No two days are the same and you never know what you’re going to come up against next. Things don’t always go to plan, and I can’t take for granted that the day will turn out the way it looks in the morning.

What’s the hardest aspect of your job?

Being part of the eviction process. When it’s a family with young children it is very diffi cult for everyone involved. It’s always a last resort and there is help out there for every tenant but I think some people just get their priorities wrong. It’s never an easy process to be part of.

How long were you with the Council before transfer?

For about 10 years.

So you’ve seen a lot of changes in recent years?

Yes. I think the houses are in better condition overall, although there’s still lots to do. There have been so many changes in how we work because of transfer, and because Freebridge Community Housing can focus on tenant satisfaction like never before.

How do you think Freebridge is fairing in its fi rst year?

Pretty well. I would like to see more work staying in-house though.

Where do you see things going from here?

That’s a diffi cult question. Some things are uncertain at the moment. I’d like to think we can go forward and that any problems we’ve had in the fi rst year have been, or are on the way to being solved. Tenants voted for a ‘Freebridge-owned’ labour force so we all need to do everything we can to prove what a good decision that was!

Do you think it’s important for Freebridge to have strong ties with tenants?

There needs to be a good close relationship, because we all want the same things in the end. Good communication between us will certainly keep us on track.

What’s the most important thing you do for tenants?

Doing a good job, to the same standard as I would in my own home. Its important to do the very best you can and to leave the job clean and tidy. It’s a simple philosophy, but I think that’s what tenants really want.

Paul Girling is just one of many skilled tradesmen working for Freebridge Community Housing tenants. We’d like to thank Paul, and indeed all his colleagues at the depot!

Trading questions and answers...

In recent editions, Streets Ahead has focused on ‘Property Services’ commonly referred to as ‘the depot’. We’ve covered their response to the mid-January storms, looked at how they work and given an insight into the new apprenticeship scheme. In this edition Streets Ahead reporter, James Wright paid a visit to the depot and spoke with carpenter Paul Girling.

Paul Girling.


Tenant Mystery Shoppers is a new project to help Freebridge achieve the quality of customer service that our tenants want and deserve. The really exciting part of this project is that it relies on tenants to make it happen. The Tenant Empowerment Team is looking for tenants of all ages and backgrounds to come forward and become Mystery Shoppers.

Tenant Mystery Shoppers need to understand good quality customer service themselves and realise just how important it is to us all. They’ll also need to be impartial of course!

So what will Mystery Shoppers do? They’ll access the services Freebridge provides and record their experiences. This will include:

• Telephoning to report / request a service

• Visiting the offi ce

• Receiving repair and maintenance services

• Seeking out information and advice.

Most importantly of all Tenant Mystery Shoppers will be anonymous. Those they have contact with will never know they are serving a Tenant Mystery Shopper, and you will never be directly linked to any report you submit. Anyone who is interested can feel sure that they will never be compromised.

If you care about the service you receive and think you could help by being a Tenant Mystery Shopper then get involved!

Contact us by telephone: (01553) 667739 or (01553) 667740

By email: [email protected]

Or post: TMS, Tenant Empowerment, Freebridge Community Housing, Juniper House, Austin Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1DZ

We want Freebridge to be an exceptional landlord providing exceptional services to tenants. It’s not enough to aim for good service, or to simply claim to provide good service; we need to know that what we offer matches what you want. That’s why Freebridge will be introducing ‘Tenant Mystery Shoppers’, in addition to our monthly, random ‘Tell Us What You Think’ surveys.

Tenant mystery shoppers


Since transfer TOWN has formed an even stronger working partnership with Freebridge

Community Housing and has strengthened its position as your premier tenant organisation.

This is the fi rst of what will become a regular feature in Streets Ahead, keeping our readership

abreast of what your tenant representatives have been up to. Written by the Chair of TOWN

Sylvia Pomeroy OBE, this ‘diary’ is a succinct bulletin for all Freebridge tenants to enjoy.

• Sad news: TOWN heard of the retirement through ill health of Robin Whitby, Freebridge

Assets Director. Through working on sub-groups TOWN members have come to respect

Robin and we wish him well.

• Property Services: Christopher Smith, Housing Director, will be undertaking the restructuring

of Property Services and will be reporting progress at our next TOWN meeting.

• Staircase to Empowerment Training: This year’s course has begun at Juniper House, led by

Change Consultancy’s Keith Judson. We wish our new TOWN members well with this. More

established members found it a really excellent course. You can read an interview with Keith

on the facing page.

• Home Improvements Programme: The programme is progressing well. It has been agreed

that TOWN members will shortly be undertaking telephone calls to tenants to talk about

this work ‘tenant to tenant’. This is something that has worked really well with the disability

adaptations. TOWN members have a sub-group that monitors all aspects of the programme.

• Points raised at the April TOWN meeting: Concerns were raised about the charges issued to

tenants for replacement glazing, in particular when the tenant is on a low income and is not

responsible for the damage. Christopher Smith outlined to members instances when charges

would not be applicable: criminal damage perpetrated by another, wear and tear and in cases

of accidental damage consideration may be given.

• Message from Chair of TOWN: As Chair I have monthly meetings with Tony Hall, the Chief

Executive Offi cer of Freebridge Community Housing. If anyone has a serious problem they

feel is not being dealt with please tell me so that I may be in a position to raise it with him.

TOWN deals with all aspects of Freebridge business and, through our sub-groups works with

most departments directly. It is essential that you, as tenants, keep us informed of any areas

you feel may be a concern.

The TOWN DiaryTOWN (Tenants of West Norfolk) has been

representing the tenant community in West

Norfolk since 2000. It was a key element

within the stock transfer process and a very

successful advocate throughout that journey.

You can email TOWN directly at [email protected]

You can contact Sylvia Pomeroy

on (01553) 827036 or the Tenant Empowerment Team on

(01553) 667739 0r 667740

To leave a tele-message on

TOWN’s direct dial number

please call: (01553) 667728


‘Staircase to Empowerment’ plays a vital role in the Empowerment team’s approach to increasing and sustaining the contribution Freebridge tenants make to the running of our organisation. Attendees could even develop such that they may like to stand for Board Member election.

It is not unusual for housing associations and other organisations to provide training for the volunteers they work with. What makes ‘Staircase to Empowerment’ exceptional is our training provider, ‘Change Training and Consultancy’. ‘Change’ work to increase confi dence, personal effectiveness and team building skills.

At the end of the last programme Streets Ahead reporter and TOWN member Rab Scott met with ‘Change’s’ Keith Judson, lead facilitator of the ‘Staircase to Empowerment’ training.

Keith, can you tell our readers how you managed the group, and your observations after a year with the TOWN delegates?

At fi rst it was very different because I usually work with employees and this was my fi rst time with volunteers. I have to say everyone was so keen and enthusiastic. They fully engaged in the discussions and debates, and from my point of view it’s been a real learning experience. I’ve gained so much out of it myself.

So it was a new experience, teaching people who are there for reasons other than promotion or fi nancial gain?

Yes. Absolutely.

Delegates did seem to like you and your teaching methods.

That’s nice to hear. As we were running down the programme it was clear they didn’t want it to end.

Over the next year a group of tenants will be taking part in Freebridge’s ‘Staircase to Empowerment’ training programme. Open exclusively to members of TOWN (Tenants of West Norfolk), our premier tenant group, the programme will allow them to develop personally and as a team.

Talking to some of those taking part, I noticed an increase in confi dence levels.

That is one of my main goals when running a programme like this. It’s important to be confi dent, and to learn how to use that confi dence. Most attendees can go on to undertake public speaking for instance.

I guess we all have hidden strengths?

When you think about it, I was dealing with such as mix of people, mature, with such diverse interests and experiences, I actually felt quite humble. Several of them have talked about aspects of themselves that have been…unblocked. It’s been a catalyst for them to challenge themselves, and think in ways they hadn’t done before. All credit to them. This group were all prepared to kind of ‘bare their soles’ a little, talk truthfully about themselves and in general. This was the most interesting thing for me; how these guys just want to keep learning, it’s shed light on the ‘life long learning’ that they’ve become so interested in. There are so many people who think that they’ve done all their learning and know everything they need to know. But this group said: ‘”we know quite a lot, especially within our own fi elds, but we want to challenge ourselves about what we don’t know”.

Thank you for your time Keith and for the great experience you gave to my colleagues at TOWN.

Thank you. The pleasure was all mine!

Training that matters

Rab Scott interviewing Keith Judson.

How did you feel when you found out you had been nominated?

Actually the person who nominated me told me they were thinking of doing it and I asked them not to. I didn’t think I’d been doing anything special.

So how did you feel when you were announced as an award winner?

Gob smacked! Like I say I don’t think I do anything out of the ordinary. I just try to look after my family and be a good mum. Obviously it’s really very nice to get recognition.

Will you be nominating someone this year?

Possibly. Now I know what it’s all about I’ll be giving it some thought.

What impact do you think the Tenant Awards have?

It highlights the good in tenants. It makes people appreciate what and who is around them. It gives all the unsung heroes recognition, which is good. We’ve never had anything like this before when we’ve rented from other landlord organisations.


Ellen attended the Tenant Awards ceremony on January 23rd at King’s Lynn Town Hall and gave Streets Ahead time for a few questions about her experience of the night.

What did you think of the venue?

It was a brilliant choice. Really very nice.

Do you think the ceremony worked well?

Actually I was surprised. I’m not sure what I expected, but I don’t think I expected what I found. We didn’t even realise there were different categories; we thought there was just one award. An hour was just about right in terms of length and all the speeches were well timed. It was good that everyone got a mention. The whole thing was done very well.

The annual Freebridge Tenant Awards are all about celebrating tenants and the positive infl uence they have on our community. They recognise people who make other people’s lives better, who give more than they receive and make the most of what they have. This year’s winner of the ‘Supporter’ Award was Ellen Harrowing, a mother of three who lives with her husband in North Lynn.

A Tenant award winner

Ellen Harrowing, winner of the Freebridge ‘Supporter award”.

The person nominating Ellen wrote: “Ellen will not admit it but she is an amazing woman… When her husband was in his 20’s he was involved in a very bad building accident which resulted in spinal injuries. Ellen has been his devoted carer ever since. She has brought up 3 fi ne young sons to respect their family, community and country.”

Do you know someone like Ellen who deserves recognition? Why not nominate them for a Tenant Award so everyone can share in their kindness and enthusiasm? Call us on: 01553 667739 and we’ll be pleased to here what you have to say.


Where in Portugal do you come from?

Costa Capazica near Lisbon.

Can you describe Costa Capazica?

A small city on the coast with great beaches. It’s a tourist destination.

How does King’s Lynn compare?

It’s much smaller and quieter, and it’s not as busy.

Do you miss anything about the Portuguese way of life?

I miss hanging out with my friends. I miss the weather and I really miss the beaches.

What do you like about English culture?

I think its quite a similar culture in many ways. But the British are more open-minded; it seems the outlook on life is younger-minded. Portuguese culture is more traditional and more things are taboo.

What were your reasons for coming to the UK?

My parents moved here four years ago for work. I was sixteen at the time, too young to stay behind.

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to go back one day but we’ll see. I’ve not been back for three years and I really want to go and visit this year because I must show my family my child. She needs to see Portugal.

Streets Ahead visited a café in Gaywood recently to help us all to understand what life is like for Portuguese people living and working in King’s Lynn. We interviewed Vera Christina Silva, a young Portuguese lady, fl uent in English, who lives in North Lynn. Here’s what she had to say during our conversation.

How much has having good English helped you fi t in here?

It helps a lot, especially with jobs. I learnt to speak English at school. In Portugal all kids are taught English at school.

What good things do you think the Portuguese and other migrants bring to the area?

Over the years the work ethic of migrants has been strong. But we need to stand by each other more, support each other because being in a new country can be diffi cult. When people are confused or worried, that’s when thing’s go wrong.

Thank you Vera Christina!

New communities… New stories

Vera Christina talks to Rita O’Donnell

If you were born in another country, and would like to tell us what life is like in Norfolk compared to life in the country of your birth, please call James Wright on 01553 667739.

Costa Capazica (Portugal).


De que parte de Portugal vem?

Da Costa Caparica perto de Lisboa.

Pode descrever a Costa de Caparica?

É uma pequena cidade costeira com praias fantásticas. É um destino turístico.

Como faz a comparação com King’s Lynn?

É muito mais pequeno e calmo. Existem muito menos coisas aqui e não é tão agitado.

Tem saudades de alguma coisa do estilo de vida Português?

Tenho saudades de estar com os meus amigos. Tenho saudades do tempo e tenho mesmo muitas saudades da praia.

O que gosta na cultura Inglesa?

Penso que é uma cultura muito semelhante em vários sentidos. Mas os Britânicos têm uma mente mais aberta; parece que a perspectiva de vida é mais virada para a juventude. A cultura Portuguesa é mais tradicional e existem mais tabus.

Quais foram as suas razões para vir para o Reino Unido?

Os meus pais mudaram-se para aqui há quatro anos para trabalhar. Eu tinha dezasseis anos nessa altura e era muito nova para fi car. Eu tinha 16 e não queria mesmo vir. Interrompeu os meus estudos em Portugal.

Quais são as suas esperanças para o futuro?

Espero regressar um dia, mas vamos ver. Não vou a Portugal há três anos e eu queria muito ir e visitar o país porque tenho que mostrar a minha fi lha à minha família. Ela precisa de conhecer Portugal.

De que forma ter bons conhecimentos de Inglês ajuda na sua integração?

Ajuda bastante, especialmente nos empregos. Eu aprendi a falar Inglês na escola. Em Portugal todas as crianças aprendem Inglês na escola.

Que coisas positivas pensa que os Portugueses e outros migrantes trazem a esta área?

Ao longo dos anos a ética de trabalho dos migrantes tem sido forte. Mas precisamos de nos apoiar mutuamente porque estar num país novo pode ser difícil. Quando as pessoas estão confusas ou preocupadas, aí é quando as coisas começam a correr mal.

A Streets Ahead encontrou-se com Vera Christina Silva, uma arrendatária portuguesa, no café Friends Taverna em Gaywood. Eis o que ela nos disse...

Secção portuguesa


A Freebridge na Friends Taverna

Se tiver alguma questão a colocar sobre a sua habitação ou o seu bairro, pode vir falar com a Equipa dos Direitos do Arrendatário (Tenant Empowerment Team) no café “Friends Taverna”, na Gaywood Road. O Pastor Chris Collict, da Igreja Evangélica, estará lá para ajudar nas traduções.

Horário:

Quinta-feira, 28 de Junho: 16h00-18h00Quinta-feira, 26 de Julho: 16h00-18h00Quinta-feira, 30 de Agosto: 16h00-18h00

Cursos gratuitos de Inglês da Academia dos Arrendatários (Tenant Academy)

Sente difi culdades com a barreira linguística?

Acha que uma melhor comunicação poderia melhorar a sua vida?

A Freebridge está a oferecer a todos os arrendatários cursos gratuitos de Inglês para Estrangeiros de Língua não Inglesa. Esta será uma forma informal e aberta de os arrendatários ultrapassarem quaisquer barreiras linguísticas que possam enfrentar. Estes cursos vão ajudá-lo(a) a tratar dos seus assuntos com a Freebridge, com a Câmara Municipal e com outras entidades, além de o/a ajudarem no seu local de trabalho.

Utilizando apenas duas horas por semana, pode melhorar o seu Inglês, gratuitamente, com o apoio da Academia de Arrendatários da Freebridge.

As aulas têm início às 10h00 e terminam às 12h00, e realizam-se nos escritórios da Freebridge, na Juniper House. Dias das próximas aulas:

Segunda-feira, 2 de JulhoSegunda-feira, 9 de JulhoSegunda-feira, 16 de JulhoSegunda-feira, 23 de JulhoSegunda-feira, 30 de Julho

Segunda-feira, 6 de Agosto Segunda-feira, 13 de Agosto

Segunda-feira, 3 de SetembroSegunda-feira, 10 de SetembroSegunda-feira, 17 de Setembro

Se estiver interessado(a) nesta grande e gratuita oportunidade, preencha o destacável abaixo:Nome:Morada:Estou interessado(a) em assistir às aulas de Inglês para Estrangeiros de Língua não Inglesa.

A partir de Setembro, todos os arrendatários que não sejam de nacionalidade inglesa irão receber um exemplar da Streets Ahead, traduzido em Português ou em Russo. Se não receber o seu exemplar e o pretender receber, contacte o número 01553 667739.

Secção portuguesa


Pictures of the winners of the competition & best of the rest. L to R, Ann-marie Thompson (Senior Housing Offi cer), Teresa and Graham Sanderson, Sylvia Pomeroy OBE (Chair of TOWN).

Two of the wonderful entries received this year.

Из какого места в Португалии Вы приехали?

Из Коста Капазика рядом с Лиссабоном.

Вы можете описать (то место)?

Это маленький город на побережье с отличными пляжами. Это туристическое место.

Что представляет из себя Кингс Линн по сравнению с ним?

Оно намного меньше и более спокойное. Здесь мало что есть и нет такого оживления.

Вы скучаете о чем – нибудь из португальского образа жизни?

Я скучаю по моим друзьям. Скучаю по климату и очень скучаю по пляжам.

Что Вам нравиться из английской культуры?

Мне кажется что практически нет большой разницы в культуре. Но британцы более прямолинейные;

похоже что они смотрят на жизнь с более современной точки зрения. Португальская культура намного

традициональнее и о многих из вещах не может быть и речи.

Что побудило Вас приехать в Великобританию?

Мои родители переехали сюда на работу четыре года назад. Мне было шестнадцать в то время, я была

слишком молодой чтобы остаться. Мне было 16 и я совсем не хотела переезжать. Это прервало мою

учебу там.

Каковы ваши надежды на будущее?

Я надеюсь вернуться когда-нибудь, но там дальше будет видно. Я не была там уже в течение трех лет, и я

действительно хочу поехать и побывать там в этом году, потому что я должна показать моей семье моего

ребенка. Она должна увидеть Португалию.

На сколько хорошее знание английского языка помогло Вам освоиться здесь?

Очень помогло, особенно с работой. Я учила английский язык в школе. В Португалии всем детям преподают

английский язык в школе.

Статья на русском языке“Далеко Впереди” (Streets Ahead) встретилось с Верой Кристиной Сильва, португальским арендатором, в кафе ”Friends Taverna” в Гейвуде. Вот что она нам рассказала …


Pictures of the winners of the competition & best of the rest. L to R, Ann-marie Thompson (Senior Housing Officer), Teresa and Graham Sanderson, Sylvia Pomeroy OBE (Chair of TOWN).

Two of the wonderful entries received this year.

Как Вы считаете, что хорошего привнесли португальцы и другие иммигранты в это место?

За эти годы вопрос отношения к труду иммигрантов стоял довольно остро. Но мы должны больше

помогать друг другу, поддерживать друг друга, потому что пребывание в новой стране может быть

трудным. Когда люди приходят в замешательство или волнуются, все всегда выходит плохо.

Если Вы приехали из стран Балтики или Восточной Европы, тогда почему бы Вам не сказать нам вашу

историю? Звоните по Тел. 01553 667739 или пишите в Streets Ahead, Freebridge Community Housing,

Juniper House, Austin Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1DZ

Free English Courses from the Tenant Academy (Бесплатные курсы английского языка при Курсах для

Арендаторов)

Языковой барьер является для Вас препятствием?

Лучшая коммуникация сможет улучшить вашу жизнь?

Freebridge предлагает всем арендаторам бесплатные курсы английского языка для Иностранцев.

Это будет доступным и простым способом преодоления любых насущных языковых барьеров для

арендаторов. Это сможет помочь Вам как в делах с Freebridge, Муниципальным Органом Власти и

другими агентствами, так и как на работе.

Занимаясь только два часа в неделю, Вы сможете улучшить ваш английский язык бесплатно на

Курсах для Арендаторов Freebridge.

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According to Alison South, one of two Senior Scheme Managers, “The primary purpose of sheltered housing is to provide homes for older residents or residents who have a medical condition and need what we call domiciliary care.”

The main point behind sheltered housing is to allow people to live as independently as they wish but also to provide occasional help and support. It is striking

the balance between giving independence and providing support that makes sheltered housing such a valuable service but also what makes managing this service a unique challenge.

Freebridge manages 19 sheltered housing schemes across West Norfolk, in urban, rural and coastal locations, which overall accounts for over 600 households. The day-to-day running of each scheme is

Amongst all the various types of housing that Freebridge provides, sheltered housing in particular stands out as different from the rest. The sheltered housing service is substantial, with a team of dedicated staff spread out across West Norfolk. However, despite its prominence and importance in the organisation, it is often a little recognised and misunderstood service.

overseen by a Scheme Manager and this team is supported from Juniper House by two Senior Scheme Managers, Julie Bruinsma and Alison South. The whole service area is overseen by Housing Manager for Care and Support, Janet Mitchell.

Each sheltered housing property is fi tted with a telecare community alarm system which provides 24 hour emergency care for all residents.

Sheltered Housing – striking the right balance

The Sheltered Housing Team


The properties are specially designed for the needs of the residents, being easy to maintain and adapted for disability when required. A communal lounge is at the heart of every scheme and is the focus of social and recreational activities for residents.

It is this communal element to sheltered housing, providing opportunities to socialise and participate in the community that makes the service so valuable and it is in this way that the balance between independent living and extra help is maintained. The residents of each scheme run their own Social Committee that organises coffee mornings, bingo, events and trips.

Scheme managers oversee the general wellbeing of the scheme’s residents, helping them access the services they require from Social Services and other agencies, reporting and overseeing repairs and maintenance work and making daily calls or visits to tenants who have requested them to do so. Although they can help out residents with small tasks, Scheme Managers are asked not to do things that residents are able to do for themselves. They are not carers and do not carry out nursing duties. Indeed sheltered housing is not a provision of intimate care for residents, the emphasis is defi nitely on independence.

In consultation with residents and their families, improvements over the next 5 years will be carried out at all schemes. This includes upgrading communal areas, car parking facilities and individual properties. This consultation is part of a wider effort to increase the two-way links between the residents and their landlord, with each scheme electing a tenant representative to the ‘Sheltered United’ group.

“We want residents to lead their own lives but also to feel secure, have peace of mind and be part of a communal life. It is about providing support but supporting independence.”

Jan Mitchell- Housing Manager, Care and Support.


There are few housing schemes more out of the way than Monks Close, an estate that was purchased by the Borough Council from the Ministry of Defence when RAF Bircham Newton was closed. The scheme was well suited for housing the families of those stationed on an active air base as the RAF provided all necessary services. However, without the facilities of the RAF, Monks Close became a very isolated scheme, miles from the nearest village shop, pub or school. Even the most isolated of housing is usually attached to a village so Monks Close, home to 71 households, really stands out in terms of rural remoteness.

However this remoteness does have its advantages. There are few sites more idyllic for a housing scheme. Set in the green rolling countryside of Norfolk, away from busy roads and large towns one of the fi rst things to

strike a visitor is the peace and calm. As local resident Marlene Burrows

says: “It’s a lovely place, especially for the kids because it’s safe for them to play outside.”

Marlene has lived on the Close for two and a half years and her neighbour Trish for fi ve years. Both have been actively involved over

the past few years in setting up the Monks Close Action Group. This is a community group which aims to get together and discuss local issues, identify possible community projects and above all to make the community heard by Freebridge and other large organisations.

Back in 2004 Rita O’Donnell, then Tenant Participation Offi cer at the Borough Council, successfully bid for grant funding worth £64,000 from the Offi ce of the Deputy Prime Minister as part of an initiative called ‘Innovation into Action’. This grant was to be used fi rst by the Council (and later Freebridge) to develop a rural empowerment strategy. Alongside a general project coving all aspects of tenant involvement the project needed a particular focus, and where better to develop rural community engagement than Monks Close? So together with private sector partners Arena Partnership Ltd, Rita began to fi nd ways of understanding and responding to private resident needs as well as those of Freebridge tenants.

At fi rst this meant making contacts within what was already a close community, fi nding those who had something to say and who had a stake in the future of Monks Close. People like Zoey Raven, who went on to became Chair of the fl edgling Monks Close Action Group.

Over the past two years residents at Monks Close, near Bircham Newton in the north of the borough, have been working with Freebridge’s Tenant Empowerment Team. Together they have been raising awareness of the needs and views of this rural and secluded community and have given residents a voice of their own.

A Close Community


As Marlene and Trish told us: “We got involved through Zoey. She invited us to come along to one of the meetings so we did. We went down there to air our views, to make sure we had our say. Also to be nosey!”

Like many people living on the Close both Trish and Marlene are parents of young children whose safety and wellbeing was always an issue they intended to raise. Going on at the same time as stock transfer, they were also interested in coming along to hear about Freebridge and what the new organisation had planned.

One of the most successful initiatives to come out of working with the Action Group has been the ‘skip days’. Every couple of months a large skip was brought to the Close and all residents were encouraged to clear their gardens of rubbish, fly tipping spots were dealt with, and the green spaces on the estate were made even greener.

Marlene and Trish highlight this initiative as a real success in terms of getting residents involved in the project and as something that produced really positive results. As they say: “It’s really done a lot of good.” They also mentioned the new children’s garden at the

community centre and the work done on the centre itself. Also through the project, both Trish and Marlene have managed to secure the return of full sized gardens for their neighbours. These gardens had been ‘re-claimed’ by the Council because previous residents had failed to maintain them, clearly not the fault of current residents!

Another positive outcome has been the closer relations between Monks Close residents and both Freebridge as an organisation and the nearby construction college, CITB. In particular CITB has supported the skip days. In the past, the two residents told us, there was not any good contact between Monks Close and their neighbour but they feel that through the project this has started to change.

Looking to the future Trish and Marlene are hoping to see even more visible outcomes from the project. In particular they hope that the playground project can be moved on. The Action Group has been applying for funding from various sources to have a small adventure playground built on the Close.

“It would be great if we could make it better for the kids. We

don’t have to make Monks Close perfect, it already has a better reputation than it used to have.”

Alongside the play project they talked about other possible projects including a footpath to the nearby village of Docking and generally expressed a wish for the Monks Close Action Group to continue its work well into the future.

We wish them well!


Freebridge encourages all tenants to take out some form of home contents insurance, to safeguard themselves against storms, fi res, thefts, accidents and fl oods. Freebridge is not responsible for insuring tenant’s

possessions but in partnership with Norwich Union offers competitive and comprehensive cover. After all it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you want to know more about the scheme please contact: Freebridge Community Housing, Juniper House, Austin Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1DZ. Tel: (01553) 667700.

Freebridge’s Income Team held their prize draw at the March meeting of TOWN (Tenants of West Norfolk). All tenants joining the scheme before 26th March 2007, as well as all existing policy holders were automatically entered into the draw, and the

winners names were drawn by Chair of TOWN Sylvia Pomeroy.

POLICY HOLDER’S PRIZE DRAW

The views expressed in this publication are those of contributors, and not necessarily those of Freebridge Community Housing.

This entire publication is under copy right, and is not to be duplicated or reproduced in any way without permission.

Editor: Rita O’Donnell

Writers and Photographers: Michael Stone, Angela Browne and Rab Scott.

Designed & Produced by Arena Partnership Limited: 01603 813 477

E-mail: [email protected]

Freebridge Tenant Academy & Tenant Empowerment: Rita O’Donnell: 01553 667738

Printed by: Barnwell Print

Press Consultants: Lynn News

Circulation approximately: 7,500

2nd prize winner Mr Nicholls with members of the Income Team.

The Third Prize

was a £50 High

Street Voucher, and

was won by Mr Cox.

The Second Prize was a £70 High Street Voucher, and was won by Mr Nicholls and Mrs Eames.

The First prize was a £100 High Street

Voucher, and was won by Miss Mason.

Both areas have experienced signifi cant problems with crime and anti-social behaviour carried out by a small minority of residents and people visiting the area.

The funding for the extension of a CCTV camera into each of the housing schemes has been secured on a partnership basis between Freebridge Community Housing and the SSCF’s Neighbourhood Management Board. This followed extensive work on consultation with local tenants carried out by our Housing Management and Tenant Empowerment staff.

Housing Director, Christopher Smith said “We are very pleased to be able to respond, as part of our ongoing efforts and determination to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour, to the feelings and views of our tenants in this way. I must give particular thanks to Vicky Etheridge (Neighbourhood Manager) and Karl Weeks (CCTV Operations Manager) of the Borough Council for working with us here at Freebridge to enable this initiative to secure funding and to progress”.

Further detailed consultation and involvement with local residents will

shortly take place in order to establish the best location for each of the two cameras, with installation and operation scheduled to take place before the school holiday period starts in late July 2007.

Freebridge Community Housing staff have managed, through close partnership working with local residents and the Borough Council’s Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) Neighbourhood Management Board, to secure the extension of the Council’s CCTV network into the Bagge Road and Oak Circle areas of King’s Lynn.

Partnership brings CCTV to Bagge Road and Oak Circle


Christopher Smith (Housing Director).


Established with the support of the National Housing Federation in the summer of 2006, FREE meets regularly to discuss the issues facing tenants in our region and to share examples of good practice. They discuss various methods of tenant involvement, housing management and tenant services with the aim of encouraging all associations in the region to adopt the same good practice.

TOWN and Freebridge are represented by Paul Leader of Terrington St Clement. Paul has been active in the tenant movement for

TOWN (Tenants of West Norfolk) are represented at a new regional forum for tenants. FREE (Forum of RSL Residents in the East of England) is made up of tenant representatives from housing associations across the eastern counties.

many years and is a knowledgeable and experienced tenant representative. Aside from being a long-time TOWN member Paul is also a member of the Freebridge Board. Paul attends meetings across the region and gives feedback from them at TOWN’s monthly meetings.

“In order to better understand the tenants they represent FREE carried out a survey of tenants of all affiliated associations covering various topics.” Paul told us.

As Paul reported to TOWN in April: “The results show that tenants are concerned about the amount of housing available. They worry about where today’s young people will live in the future and feel affected by the housing shortage. Significantly the vast majority of tenants believe that social housing is vital in the development of more homes and still has a massive role to play. Tenants identified building new affordable homes as the first priority.”

With these results to help guide them it will be interesting to see what FREE comes up with.

Regional representation for Freebridge Tenants

Paul Leader (TOWN).


Thought of that special person yet?

… friend… spouse…brother…. sister… parent… neighbour?

Simply let us know by using the form below or just give us a call, and we’ll call you back.

l Illustrating initiative, skill and dedication through gardening or do-it yourself activities, setting a great example to others

l Showing exceptional commitment to the well-being of a neighbour

l Responsible for initiatives, projects or business activities benefi ting others in the wider community

What’s our defi nition of someone who you could nominate?

Nominations for the 2007 Freebridge Tenant Awards

Your Name ............................................................................................................................................

Telephone (mobile or landline) ....................................................................................................

Name of person I wish to nominate ..........................................................................................

Best time to call me ..........................................................................................................................

Telephone your details to Annette on:

01553 667740 OR

post free of charge to:Freebridge Tenant Academy C/O Arena, FREEPOST NAT 11516Colney HallNorwich NR4 7BR

Nominating someone for a Freebridge Tenant Award

#

Just some of the award winners from last year.


“We’re gathering a relatively small sample each month because this allows us to establish a trend in relation to the answers to each question we put to tenants, something we couldn’t do nearly as well if we surveyed 1200 households once a year for instance”, explains Rita O’Donnell, Tenant Empowerment Manager.

The short survey leafl et is pictured below. “They’re well worth completing and returning”, says James Wright, Tenant Empowerment Offi cer. “Responses are completely confi dential, and besides keeping us

abreast of our collective performance and our tenant’s views, all completed leafl ets returned are entered into a draw each month, with the winner receiving a £10 gift token”.

We’d like to thank the following three monthly winners, and once again….congratulations!.

In October 2006, Freebridge started to gather feedback in relation to 10 key questions put to 100 households, randomly selected each month. On the facing page you can see the results for the quarter February, March and April 2007.

Watch out for the ‘Tell us what you think’ leafl ets…

MONTH WINNERS

Feb 2007 Miss Agnew, King’s Lynn

Mar 2007 Mr Hardy, King’s Lynn

April 2007 Mrs Harrison, Terrington St Clement.



Freebridge Chief Executive, Tony Hall welcomed tenants, colleagues, Board members and other guests to the event that marked the fi rst anniversary of the transfer of houses into its ownership from the Council, and refl ected on an ‘amazing year of change’. “It has been a long and at times diffi cult journey”, he said. “However, with more than £1.25 million pounds now being spent each month on the programme to improve tenants’

Freebridge Community Housing celebrated the organisation’s fi rst birthday at their Juniper House headquarters in Austin Street, King’s Lynn on Monday 30th April.

Freebridge Community Housing celebrates its 1st birthday

homes, we can all be proud of the positive ways in which we are affecting the lives of our tenants and those in the wider community”. Tenant representation on the Freebridge Community Housing Board is being increased this autumn from fi ve to seven (there are fi fteen members on the board in total). Christopher Smith, Housing Director at Freebridge took time to emphasise the central

role that tenant involvement will continue to play in the future of Freebridge. “This commitment to ‘involve’ is refl ected in the launch tonight of both our Tenant Compact and our Tenant Empowerment Strategy”, he added.

Freebridge Board Member and tenant Paul Leader, Chairman Philip Anderson and Chief Executive, Tony Hall represent the Freebridge partnership between tenants, the Board and the workforce, described in the Tenant Compact, as they lead the 1st Anniversary celebrations.

In the next edition we will be focusing in more detail on both the Tenant Compact and Empowerment Strategy.

Documents

June 2007 For Freebridge Community Housing Tenants Home ... Ahead/Streets Ahead... · 18 – 19 Policy Holders Prize Draw | Partnership brings CCTV to Bagge Road and Oak Circle 20