Luminus News Summer 2011

LuminusNEWSNews and more from one of the Best Companies to Work For in the UK Summer 2011 Issue 45

SUPPORTING GOOD BEHAVIOUR

THE LAUNCH OF A NEW SPECIAL STANDARD

IN THIS ISSUE: LUMINUS TIDIES UP IN SAWTRY & WOODWALTON • 100% GAS SERVICINGAN EXCELLENT ASSESSMENT • STREET REPRESENTATIVES • CARING FOR BATS • HCRfm

Luminus News Summer 2011

2 Message from our Group Chief Executive

How far can we go to really make a difference? The answer seems to be “as far as we want!”

In this edition of Luminus News you will see evidence of how Luminus staff and residents, as well as some of our partners, are helping make our communities stronger, our neighbourhoods places where people really want to live and everyone more positive if they want to be. Although we British tend to look on the bleak side, Luminus residents and employees have been showing how that bad habit can be broken.

This is very encouraging at a time when the UK continues to struggle. In the areas where Luminus operates we are seeing evidence that we are making progress towards our 2020 Vision along The Road to Renewal. This is a focus on positive change that transforms our communities to help mend “broken Britain.”

As examples, more and more people are coming to our Saturday morning residents conferences. Even more customers keep telling us how pleased they have been with the service we give and the way we look after them. Luminus employees continue to show

their dedication to their work and to go the extra mile for others and this encourages Luminus residents to show help and support for their neighbours. We’re also building strong partnerships as The Hunts Post have joined with us in our first Community Inspiration Awards.

And we’re inspiring many other businesses to believe that if they can motivate and encourage their staff they can also become more successful, with improved performance and satisfied customers.

The Luminus story shows how much can be done by changing our hearts and minds.

How far can we go to really make a difference? We can go as far as we want!

2020 Vision: The Road to Renewal

Message from our Group Chief Executive

How far can we go

to really make a

difference?

We can go as far as

we want!

2011 a year of

Rescuing dreams & reviving aspirations

Chan Abraham in Woodwalton with Miss Pike and Nicholas

www.luminus.org.uk

3Leadership Academy Graduation

What’s inside

3

6

7

8

Have you got a news story for us?

If so, please send it to us at [email protected] including your contact details and the date of the event.

The deadline for our Autumn issue is 1 August 2011.

NEWS

Luminus Leadership Academy Graduation

FEATURES

Luminus tidies up in Sawtry and Woodwalton

PEOPLE

‘Team Luminus’ triumph at Formula One competition

Welfare Reform Bill

ALSO

Introducing Special Standards

Looking after your home

Luminus brings a new beginning for Harlow’s landmark building

Caring for bats

Luminus Leadership Academy Graduation CelebrationAs a further example of the progress it is making on The Road to Renewal, Luminus has celebrated the graduation of its managers from Leadership International’s three year Champions of Success management training programme.

Twenty-one managers completed the course which combined intensive personal coaching and regular master classes as part of the company’s unique Leadership Academy. For the final assessment, candidates had to complete a plan showing their personal development and goals, followed by a one-to-one presentation to Group Chief Executive Chan Abraham.

At the ceremony Founder and President of Leadership International, Chan Abraham, explained the importance of having effective and competent

leaders in modern organisations.

Mr Abraham, who himself holds The Sunday Times Special Award for Leadership, talked about how the Luminus 2020 Vision and progress along The Road to Renewal to mend “broken Britain” could be achieved by having great leaders in business, government, politics and faith communities, saying,

“Leaders more than anyone else have the potential to affect the lives of ordinary people. Yet so many of the examples we see of leadership are not ones we respect. This is a major problem that needs to be remedied.

The gradual development of our own managers, using an ethical model of leadership, based on sound moral principles, has shown tremendous results, in their own lives, in the people they lead and in the success of the Luminus business.”

9

11

12

18


4 Healthy & Happy - Luminus Residents Conference

LUMINUS, GIVING EXCELLENT SERVICE!

Healthy & Happy - Luminus Residents ConferenceLuminus welcomed 170 residents and employees to Brook House for Our Community: Happy and Healthy, the second Residents Conference of 2011.

Opening the Conference, Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham said, “Our 2020 Vision: The Road to Renewal is a focus on positive change that transforms our communities to mend “broken Britain.”

Since March 2000 we have been building a team of people who, daily inspired in their work, seek consistently to give excellent service to our customers. This energises our residents, business partners and the wider community and helps us all find a sense of purpose, hope and fulfilment. As we change, transformation occurs and a brighter future becomes reality.”

Executive Director (Operations) Nigel Finney then explained the steps that Luminus was taking on The Road to Renewal to further improve neighbourhoods including three new special standards on:

Promoting Good Behaviour•

Gardens to Be Proud Of•

Your Home, Your •Responsibilities

This opened the next stage of the Conference involving active audience participation. Residents enthusiastically grasped this opportunity to use the unique Luminus system of voting to voice their opinions on whether their community is happy and healthy and on the effectiveness of local public services.

Positive change that

transforms communities

to mend ‘broken Britain’

ConferenceHighlights

£250 PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

Mrs Millier of St Neots won this quarter’s £250 prize draw for taking part in the Luminus survey.

YES WE CAN!

Luminus tenants participated in the unique Luminus system of voting to voice their opinions.

RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED INTO

OUR QUARTERLY PRIZE DRAW!

www.luminus.org.uk

5Deaf Awareness Training

LUMINUS, GIVING EXCELLENT SERVICE!

There was a real buzz in the atmosphere and attendees were highly vocal in giving their feedback that they had been uplifted and inspired by the event. Comments included, “A truly wonderful, uplifting experience – I didn’t want to go home!” and “I found it enlightening, I’m so pleased I came.”

Visitors included Chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council Jeff Dutton, Practice Manager of Yaxley Group Practice Shirley Drawwater and local PCSOs Shiralee Freeman, Gareth Price and Natasha Alwin who were keen to contribute their views and answer questions on how to make communities happier and healthier.

Attendees enjoyed a complimentary buffet lunch and the opportunity to purchase

affordable household goods from Octavia’s of Wisbech, run by HOPE Social Enterprises.

Luminus Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham said,

“We are delighted that so many residents and leaseholders attended and enjoyed this really important event. Our customers’ feedback helps Luminus continue to give the best service as we make progress on The Road to Renewal. We want to work with and influence other organisations to ensure that our neighbourhoods are happy and healthy and this Conference has demonstrated that our customers give their whole-hearted support to our approach. ”

Deaf Awareness Training

Luminus provided ten front line employees with Deaf Awareness training, giving them the skills to communicate effectively with customers who have hearing difficulties.

The course focused on the sign language alphabet and lip reading, especially on how to make it easier for people to lip read you.

Luminus is committed to providing premium brand service to all customers. The Deaf Awareness training has empowered employees to deliver the same great service to people who are hard of hearing.

Annual General Meeting

Thursday 29 September 2011 at 6pm

Brook House, Ouse Walk Huntingdon PE29 3QW

If you would like to attend please advise Zoe Barton

on 01480 428703 or email [email protected]

There was a real buzz

in the atmosphere


6 Luminus Big Tidy Up

Luminus tidies up in Sawtry and WoodwaltonOver 80 Luminus

volunteers picked up over

30 sacks of rubbish from

Sawtry and Woodwalton

for the Luminus Big Tidy

Up.

Residents of the picturesque villages are proud of their clean and tidy neighbourhoods and Luminus employees lent a helping hand by clearing litter from verges and grassy areas. Overall, the volunteers were impressed by how much care and effort

local residents put into maintaining their gardens and were saddened that a minority discarded litter on pavements and in communal areas.

Employees from across the business and their family members volunteered to don their litter pickers to make a difference to the local community and the positive atmosphere was infectious.

Inspired I greatly enjoyed the Luminus Big Tidy Up in Sawtry and Woodwalton. The presence of so many colleagues volunteering their time was an inspiring sight and a clear expression of our commitment to Luminus’ ‘Road to Renewal’

www.luminus.org.uk

7An Excellent Assessment

Hinchingbrooke School’s “Team Luminus” triumphs at Formula One competition

‘Team Luminus’, a group of four year ten Design and Technology students from Hinchingbrooke School, triumphed in two categories of the Formula One In Schools (Midlands Region) competition.

The students chose to work with Luminus who provided them with inspiration, financial support and professional advice from its Communications and Marketing Team.

Held at Loughborough University, the competition is designed to provide an exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology.

The students had to design a model formula one racing car which is powered by a compressed air cartridge and

raced along a twenty metre long track. They were also encouraged to develop links with industry by raising sponsorship as part of their enterprise.

Although they didn’t qualify for the national final, ‘Team Luminus’ achieved first place in two categories, winning the trophy for the fastest car with a time of 1.3 seconds and the award for the team with the best corporate identity. With Luminus’ support, the students developed a very professional team appearance and a strong brand that brought them first place.

Head of Design and Technology, Mr Dunkley said he was extremely proud of the team’s achievement, commenting,

“The project had given the students a very realistic commercial experience of both engineering and marketing that I’m sure they won’t forget.”

An Excellent Assessment!

Chan Abraham, Group Chief Executive, senior managers, non-executives and tenant representatives welcomed the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) in February for a regulatory judgement meeting.

This was a meeting to update the excellent assessment Luminus already holds from the regulator. They discussed a variety of topics including value for money, equality and diversity, risk management, tenant involvement and the skills and experience of executive board members.

The meeting was very positive and the TSA spoke very highly about the unique Luminus culture and the outstanding results being achieved.

The TSA’s final report reflects the outstanding success of Luminus. It confirms that we have appropriate governance arrangements in place, a strong performance management framework, and excellent opportunities for residents to get involved with Luminus.

8 Welfare Reform Bill

Luminus News Spring 2011

In the six months the Environmental Support Workers have been with Luminus they have made a huge impact in the communities we serve.

To date the team have completed more than 35 separate projects that range from complete communal garden makeovers, aiding local Parish Councils in tidying areas,

clearance of neglected land, leaflet drops and assisting the vulnerable.

More than 50 garages have been cleared of items, swept and are ready to be re-let.

The Environmental Support Workers are ready to lend a helping hand to any request and they always sign their work with pride!

Environmental Support Workers

In February the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill legislates for the biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years.

It introduces a wide range of reforms which the government believe will make the benefits and tax credits system fairer and simpler. The main elements of the Bill affecting Luminus’ residents are:

The creation of a Universal •Credit which unifies the current system of means-tested out of work benefits. The government plans to

introduce Universal Credit from October 2013 over a four-year period

A benefit cap on the total •amount of benefit that working-age people can receive, so that workless households will no longer receive more in benefit than working households receive in average wages

Cutting housing benefit for •working-age tenants who under occupy their homes.

The government has stated that reforming the benefit system aims to make it fairer, more affordable and better able to tackle poverty, worklessness and welfare dependency. Luminus will monitor the progress of the Welfare Reform Bill through Parliament and keep residents updated where necessary.

If you would like to find out more visit the Department for Work and Pensions’ website at www.dwp.gov.uk.

What do you think of the Welfare Reform Bill? Email [email protected]

Welfare Reform Bill

“The biggest change to the welfare system for 60 years”

Luminus will monitor

the progress of the

Welfare Reform Bill

through Parliament

www.luminus.org.uk

9Introducing Special Standards

Gardens to beproud of

Useful advice onlooking after your garden

Promoting goodbehaviour

Promoting good behaviourin our communities

I SUPPORT GOOD

BEHAVIOUR

Your homeYour responsibility

A guide to looking after your home

Introducing Special Standards

Service StandardsWhat you can expect from Luminus

Tenancy and Neighbourhood Management


Tenancy Support Services


Support Services for Older People


Letting Homes


Leaseholder Services


Getting Involved


Equality and Diversity


Dealing with your Complaint


Dealing withAnti-Social Behaviour


Customer Service Carrying Out Repairsto Your Home



Collecting Rentsand Service Charges

Service StandardsLuminus published a range of Service Standards in 2009. These Standards cover all our main activities and were developed following a comprehensive consultation programme with tenants and leaseholders.

They form a major part of our service commitment to customers, and are a benchmark of Luminus’ more excellent way of doing business. We will also consult with customers to find ways to develop the content of the Standards further. Visit www.luminus.org.uk to download these standards or call 01470 428541.

Two special standards are now available, ‘Promoting good behaviour’ and ‘Gardens to be proud of’.

These can be downloaded on our website www.luminus.org.uk or call 01480 428709.

Coming soon is ‘Your home, your responsibility’ special standard. If you would like to reserve a copy please contact us on the above number.

We are always looking for tenants to be involved in creating

new standards and having a say in the company.

If you would like to be a part of a tenants panel please contact our Tenant Involvement Officer on 01480 428541 or email [email protected]

COMING SOON!


10

CALL PATRICK ON 07546 432183 - [email protected]

HuntingdonshireCommunityGroup

Valuing Diversity

NeighbourhoodManagementHuntingdonshire

www.luminus.org.uk

11Looking after your home

Luminus is responsible for maintaining the structure and exterior of your home, its main services and the communal areas in blocks of flats.

You are responsible for the items listed below. If you ask us to carry out a repair to any of these items we will charge you for the work.

Home and Garden

Clearance of blockages •in waste pipes and toilets caused by lack of care (e.g. cooking waste, nappies, excessive toilet roll)

Fitting draught excluders •

Glass in windows, doors •and panels (except where glass is broken as a result of anti- social behaviour and you have a Police incident number)

Maintaining the garden in •good and tidy order

Keeping the property in •good condition internally including cleaning and internal decoration.

Fixtures and Fittings

Fixtures and fittings such as •curtain rails

Replacing light bulbs, •

fluorescent tubes and their starter mechanisms

Internal door fittings •(including adjusting doors for carpet fitting)

Replacing locks and lost •keys/gaining access if you lose keys

Replacing sink plugs and •chains

De-scaling baths, sanitary •ware and kitchen sinks

Replacing toilet seats •

Repairing/renewing gate •catches

Replacing batteries in •smoke alarms (except in sheltered housing or hard wired alarms)

Child locks and security •chains.

The list above is not exhaustive and is only to be used as a guideline.

If for some reason you are unable to carry out any of these tasks, for example you have a certain type of disability, it maybe possible for Luminus to make special arrangements. Please call us on 01480 428333 if you have any further questions.

Looking after your home - your responsibilities as a Luminus tenant

100% Gas Servicing

Luminus achieves 100% gas servicing target for the second year running

Luminus has successfully completed gas safety checks for every Luminus home. This has been the second year that this impressive achievement has been reached.

This service is essential to guarantee the safety of all Luminus residents and their families from the potential dangers of faulty gas appliances. The gas engineers also take the time to check smoke alarms are fitted and working correctly to further protect our residents.

This achievement is even more remarkable as many landlords do not meet this demanding target. Luminus gas engineers work closely with several colleagues across the business to ensure that appointments are met and access is granted across the district.

A list of some of the things

you are responsible for in your home


12 Joseph Rank House

Luminus brings a new beginning for Harlow’s landmark building

Apartments in Harlow’s tallest office block are now on sale following its conversion into brand new town centre homes.

Originally built in the 1970s and known as Westgate House, the property became the headquarters of the Rank Hovis McDougall bakers and was renamed Joseph Rank House. It was later used as offices by other companies including the Halifax Building Society and with 12 storeys the building is still the tallest in the town.

It was purchased in 2005 by Luminus and has been converted into 132 homes, known as Joseph Rank Apartments or JRA. The building will provide homes for all needs and aspirations. Joseph Rank Apartments boast 40 social rented properties, 12 affordable homes and 80 apartments up for sale with prices starting at £112,500 for

a one bedroom apartment and £132,500 for two bedrooms.

The most prominent residential building in the town, the apartments are less than a mile from Harlow railway station making them an ideal option for commuters. Each of the apartments for sale has its own parking space, entry phone system and is fully carpeted. The building also operates its own concierge / porter service for all residents

Chan Abraham, Luminus Group Chief Executive said:

“We are delighted to present a modern and valuable new asset to Harlow residents to meet a wide range of individual requirements. Luminus is committed to providing the highest quality affordable homes where people can fulfil their aspirations for high quality

living. Joseph Rank Apartments will help contribute significantly towards satisfying Harlow’s housing demand with carefully designed, sustainable and energy efficient homes.

Luminus is looking forward to working with our partners to make this exciting new facility available for local people to enjoy.”

Alan Howick of Howick & Brooker, selling agents for the new apartments said:

“Currently there are only about 100 homes within Harlow town centre, so this development of 132 new properties is a significant event in the history of the area.

“For its new residents it has all the advantages of town centre living - being near the shops, the hospital and the railway station. But for the rest of Harlow, this is a real step forward in improving the appearance of our town.”

For details of the apartments for sale,

contact Howick & Brooker on 01279 418888.

A significant event in the history of the area

www.luminus.org.uk

13Community Announcements

Huntingdon Town Council Outdoor Summer Performances 2011

Throughout June, July and August Huntingdon Town Council are hosting outdoor summer performances from local musicians in Huntingdon Town Park.

Every Saturday from 12-2pm the free concerts will take place from the bandstands and everyone is welcome.

The programme from July is below:

2 July Bedford Town Band

9 July Jazz-beens

16 July Caxton Swing

23 July Somersham Town Band

6 Aug Wississippi Jazzmen

13 Aug Just 4

20 Aug The Paul Sylvester Quartet

27 Aug Ouse Valley Jazz Band

If you have a community event that you would like advertised please call 01480 428588.

Huntingdon Community Radio is now broadcasting to a 5km radius in and around Huntingdon, focusing on news, a familiar brand of “hits and memories”, friendly presenters, local news and most importantly; community involvement.

You can now tune in to 104 fm or listen online to the wide range of programmes, 24 hours a day.

HCRfm is based in the heart of Huntingdon High Street, located in new purpose built studios, designed and built by Luminus at Saxongate.

Luminus Group is a major sponsor of HCRfm and you can find out more information by tuning in on your fm dial to 104 fm or by visiting the Huntingdon Community Radio website at www.hcrfm.co.uk Bedford Town

Band

1-2 July

‘Measure for Measure’ Shakespeare at the George

8 July

Farmers’ Market, Huntingdon

10 July

Kimbolton Country Fayre

10 July

Farmers’ Market, St Neots

16 July

Unity in the Community, Huntingdon

17 July

Honey Show, Hinchingbrooke Country Park

22 July

Farmers’ Market, Huntingdon

24 July

Farmers’ Market, St Neots

30 July

Saturday Farmers’ Market, Huntingdon

27- 28 August

Sunfest, Riverside Park St Neots

St Neots Sunfest

Summer events in St Neots and Huntingdon

Eynesbury Village Association (EVA) is bringing groups together to organise an Intergenerational Meeting: to bring young people and the older generation together for a better understanding of each other.

Working with EVA are the ‘Good Childhood Conversation’ a project of ‘The Children’s Society’ St Neots Library’ and the ‘Youth locality team’. The event takes place on 11 July 2011 from 7-9pm at the St Neots Library. There will be activities for all ages.

Intergenerational Meeting

2020

VISION:

THE

ROAD

TO

RENEWAL

Street Representatives Conference Brook House • Huntingdon

Tuesday 19 July 2011 • 6pmCome along and find out how you can get involved and make a positive difference in your neighbourhood:

•GetmoreInformationandtrainingonhowyoucan become a Street Representative in your area!

•Workshops,presentations,discussiongroupsandmore!

•GetyourspecialLuminusStreetRepresentativepack!

For more information or to book your place please call:

01480 428570Transport can be provided on request.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STREET REPRESENTATIVES

ALL WELCOME!

COME ALONG & FIND

OUT MORE ABOUT

BECOMING A STREET

REPRESENTATIVE

HELP TO BUILD A BRIGHTER

FUTURE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

INSPIRING NEIGHBOURHOODS IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE

www.luminus.org.uk

15Street Representatives

Luminus invites you to become a Street RepresentativeFollowing a very successful pilot in Eynesbury, Luminus is launching a district wide Street Representative scheme at the Street Representatives Conference on Tuesday 19 July 2011, giving local people the opportunity to make a difference in their community.

Street Representatives are volunteers who act as local champions, acting as our eyes and ears ensuring that neighbourhoods are happy and healthy places to live. Fully supported by Luminus and other partner agencies, they have the opportunity to report problems and suggest solutions, tackling issues before they get too big.

Starting at 6pm, the Street Representatives Conference will be held at Brook House and is an opportunity for local people to find out more about

the scheme and how they can be involved. The event will include training, workshops and discussion groups and every attendee will receive their Street Representative pack with everything they need to get started.

Luminus Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham said,

“At Luminus, we want to encourage local people to join us on our Road to Renewal and help change the world where we are.

We believe that everyone should benefit from living in a neighbourhood that is happy, clean and welcoming and Street Representatives have the opportunity to help us make that happen.”

To book your place at the Street Representatives Conference or more information please call 01480 428570.

What is a Street Representative?

The Street Representative scheme is an opportunity for residents to reclaim their neighbourhoods.

As a Street Representative you will work with a variety of people; residents, agencies and authorities and the role will require communication with these people and organisations.

From time to time you may become involved in assisting partnership organisations in delivering material to residents, such as our quarterly newsletters or a door knocking campaign.

You will be a point of contact for residents and it may be relevant to check on vulnerable people in your area.

The Street Representatives Project will provide training appropriate to the role.

2020 VISION:

THE ROAD

TO RENEWAL

2020 VISION:

THE ROAD

TO RENEWAL

AGM

Tenant Board Members

If you have an interest in our work, share our values and

want to help us develop good quality services, you might

consider becoming a Luminus Homes tenant board member.

To find out more call Zoe Barton on 01480 428703 or [email protected]


16 Luminus Oak Foundation

Giving Something BackThe residents of Langley Close and Langley Court ‘Gave Something back’ by running a table top sale and lottery bonus ball lucky number on the scheme.

They raised £160 and presented a cheque to Debbie Florence from Magpas.

Working Out!Peter Smith, Luminus’ Out and About bus driver, is running gentle exercise classes at The Close, St Neots and Medway Court, Huntingdon.

There are still places at these events and we hope to have further classes on other Oak Sheltered schemes soon. If you are interested and would like to take part please ring 01480 428428 for further information.

Park ViewHere are some photos of our Park View residents at its official opening in April 2011.

Oak Foundation News from our sheltered housing schemes

Luminus has given a home for Home-Start to operate from at 32 St Marys Street, Eynesbury, St Neots. Home-Start will be offering support and guidance to families in Huntingdonshire from summer 2011.

Home-Start West Cambridgeshire is a voluntary organisation which offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children.

They offer a unique service to parents living in Huntingdonshire who are experiencing times of stress. Volunteers, who are usually parents themselves, are recruited and trained. The volunteers then, with the agreement of families, visit them at home to offer

informal, friendly and confidential support helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

To help give children the best possible start in life, Home-Start West Cambridgeshire supports parents as they grow in confidence strengthen relationships with their children and to widen their links with the local community.

Home-Start West Cambridgeshire wants to see a society in which every parent has the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life.

For more information about Home-Start please visit www.home-start.org.uk

Luminus gives a home to Home-Start

www.luminus.org.uk

Your text 17HOPE Social Enterprises

Summer is here, and the staff at HOPE Social Enterprises look forward to an ever increasing presence in our local communities.

Last summer saw HOPE getting involved with open days, environmental events, village fairs, and even music festivals, and this summer will be no different with plans to support local carnivals and Wisbech’s famous Rose Fair.

The summer is also a busy season for HOPE’s traditional market stall as the good weather encourages people out. The HOPE market stall can be found on March Market most Wednesdays and Wisbech Market most Thursdays. Despite the staff’s very early start you can always be guaranteed a cheery welcome from the team, as well as being able to pick up a genuine bargain from the great selection of home accessories and small kitchen appliances.

The markets are not the only place to make a purchase from HOPE, in addition to their on-line eBay auctions, they also hold mobile shops in local community centres, churches and sheltered accommodation schemes while their flagship store Octavia’s in Wisbech promises you a unique shopping experience, selling stylish

quality items for you and your home at affordable prices.

Now is also the season that HOPE’s grounds maintenance teams are in highest demand, helping to keep communal and individual gardens attractive and accessible with help from HOPE’s work placement volunteers.

This premium brand service provides excellent work experience for individuals, and equips them with very practical skills improving their opportunity to go on to gain employment. These development opportunities are also available to those volunteers placed with HOPE’s professional cleaning team who operate all over Huntingdonshire and beyond.

If you would like to know where HOPE next plan to hold a community based shop, or any other details about HOPE Social Enterprises they can be contacted on 01354 606740.

Summer at HOPE Social Enterprises

...affordable style for you and your home

Pick up a

genuine bargain!

Octavia’s in Wisbech


18 Your textCaring for bats

Caring for bats

Bats are amazing animals, and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK (17 of which are known to be breeding here), all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically.

The risk of catching bat rabies from UK bats is miniscule. Rabies is transmitted through a bite or a scratch from an infected bat, or by saliva from an infected bat getting into an existing cut or coming into contact with a person’s mucus membranes. It is not spread through urine or faeces. Therefore you are at no risk if you do not handle bats.

Bats and their roosts are protected by law. As bats tend to return to the same roosts every year, the roosts are protected whether bats are present or not.

Thus it is illegal to kill, injure or take a wild bat, or intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a bat roost.

Having bats in your roof does not mean building work, repairs or timber treatment cannot take place but you will need to contact the National Bat Helpline on 0845 1300 228 for advice and guidance before you proceed, and then follow this advice which is free of charge.

Facts about bats in buildings

If you think bats are roosting in your house, the first things to be aware of are:

Bats are not rodents, •and will not nibble or gnaw at wood, wires or insulation.

Bats do not build nests •and therefore do not bring bedding material into the roost; neither do they bring their insect prey into the roost.

All bats in the UK eat •insects, so they are a great form of natural pest control! Their droppings are dry and do not putrify, but crumble away to dust.

Most bats are seasonal •visitors to roosts in houses - they are unlikely to live in that roost all year round, although they are loyal to their roosts and so usually return to the same roosts year after year.

Bats and BuildingsBats and the Built Environment series: Volume 1

Guidance for built environment professionals,consultants, building owners and managers onthe conservation actions to promote and cater

for bats in buildings.

©Jo

hnBl

ack

Bat Conservation Trust

For more information about bat conservation please visit www.bats.org.uk

Bat Conservation Trust

To find out more about bats and how you can help these amazing but vulnerable animals, visit the Bat Conservation Trust’s website.

On the website you can become a member and discover the many ways you can get involved to do your bit for bats!

The website is www.bats.org.uk and the free National Bat Helpline can be reached on 0845 1300 228.

Photos courtesy Hugh Clark & John Black - Bat Conservation Trust

www.luminus.org.uk

19Contact us

Published by Luminus Group • Registered Office Brook HouseOuse Walk, Huntingdon PE29 3QWTel No: 01480 428777 • Fax No: 01480 428555Email: [email protected] • Website: www.luminus.org.uk

01480 428777General Enquiries -

Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm and Fridays 9am - 4.30pm

01480 428333Service Centre

For reporting all repairs Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm

and Fridays 9am - 4.30pm

01480 428522Rent Enquiries

01945 429300Luminus Ferry Project

01480 428314Leaseholder Enquiries

01480 428721Customer Relations Officer

Caroline Howard

01354 606740Hope Social Enterprises

020 7540 9820Out of Hours Emergencies

Monday to Thursday 5pm - 9am and weekends

Friday 4.30pm - Monday 9am

01480 428521Income & Benefits Advisor

Sue Cargill

01480 428707/8Communications & Marketing

If you have any comments about Luminus News or would like a large print or audio version, please contact the Communications Team on 01480 428707/8 or send an

email to [email protected]

For help to understand this newsletter please ring 01480 428707/8

This document has been printed on Satimat Green.

Satimat Green is a wood-free, two-sided, coated true silk paper and board containing 50 per cent recycled fibres

and 50 per cent FSC-certified virgin fibres.

01480 428588Neighbourhood Services

You can use this number to report anti-social behaviour

CONTACT US

01480 428541Tenant Involvement


20 Your textRESIDENTS CONFERENCE UPDATE // TENANT INVOLVEMENT

Our Community: Friendly & Flourishing

Saturday 24 September 2011 • 11am - 1:30pm

Brook House, Huntingdon • Lunch included • Free transport

BOOK YOUR PLACE BY TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2011

For more information, or to book your place and any transport or parking needs, please contact:

Luminus Tenants Transport Service on 01480 428570 or email: [email protected]

PLUSlow cost household

goods sale

Documents

Luminus News Summer 2011