In this issue...Your Space at Helena Central launches

STAR performance in tenant survey

Taking a tough stance on anti-social behaviour

Join in with our 10th birthday celebrations!

plus much more!

Spring 2012

Key features Flexible space for meetings, events, training, exhibitions

and drop-in advice sessions

4 Two adjoining rooms which can be opened out into a

larger space

4 Capacity for 20-100 people depending on layout

4 Large white projection screen linked to an audio visual

control centre

4 Wi-Fi

4 Internet café comprising of four internet

enabled PC’s

4 Children’s play area

4 Toilets, disabled toilet and baby change facilities

4 Drink and snack vending machines

4 Fully accessible building and hearing loops available

4 Disabled car parking spaces at the front of

the building

Opening timesYour Space is available to hire between 9am and 7pm,

Monday to Friday.

We will review these hours after the first six months

based on how you tell us you want to use Your Space.

Remember this is Your Space, your time.

How to book

Visit Your Space

Call into Helena Central, 4 Corporation Street, St Helens

Town Centre, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm

and we’d be happy to make an appointment with you to

show you around. If the space isn’t being used we’ll show

you around there and then.

Phone 01744 67 55 63

Email yourspace@helenapartnerships.co.uk

Web visit www.helenapartnerships.co.uk/

yourspace and complete the online

enquiry form

Like us

Facebook Your Space at Helena

We will use Facebook and our website to list what’s on

and to post photos of events being held at Your Space.

MAke A dATe AT

Six months after opening the doors to Helena Central, YourSpace – a fantastic new meeting

place for local people – will launch on Monday 2nd April.

Your Space is for everyone – you decide what and when. It’s part of our brand new office,

Helena Central, which is in a prime location - a short walk from the town centre and close

to the bus and train stations.

Helena HEADLINES

2

Find out moreWe have created a promotional leaflet for Your Space which we will send to you on request, or you can download a copy from our website or view details on our Facebook page.

The leaflet contains details about the room layout options, how many people we can fit into Your Space and details of local caterers.

What’s on at Your Space?Our programme of events will focus around five key themes.

This programme of events will develop over time but here are some key dates for your diary.

Monday 2nd April As well as being the official launch date of Your Space we’d like to kick off the school Easter Holidays with Easter crafts for children between 10am and 2pm. You might even meet the Easter Bunny!

Looking for work? Get a helping hand from large local employers including Tesco and Asda who will come in to deliver practical advice and tips on the following dates between 4pm and 6pm:

Wednesday 18th April, 4pm – 6pm, Wednesday 16th May, 4pm – 6pm Wednesday 13th June, 4pm – 6pm Spaces are limited so get in touch today to reserve your place, call Helena One Call on 01744 63 72 83!

Diversity Forum Meeting Tuesday 22nd May, 10am – midday Contact Janet Ruse on 01744 63 73 83.

Helena Board Meeting Monday 25th June, 6pm – 9pmMonday 23rd July, 6pm – 9pm Contact Kath Taylor on 01744 67 55 57.

Monday 2nd to Friday 6th July Join us at 10.30 daily for a coffee and cupcake on us to celebrate Helena’s 10th birthday.

We will prioritise requests from people living on our estates and businesses that we work with regularly. We will support as many activities as possible, particularly those linked to the themes listed above.

YOURHEALTH

YOURMONEY

YOURWORK

YOURHOME

YOURVIEWS

Spring 2012

3

Helena HEADLINES

4

STAR Performance In Tenant Survey

Join In With Our 10th Birthday Celebrations!We are looking forward to celebrating more than the Diamond Jubilee and Great Britain hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 – this July Helena Partnerships is 10 years old!

To mark our 10-year milestone, we would like you to get involved and share your special news and stories from the decade gone by.

• Have you lived in your Helena home for 10 years this year?

• Were any of your grandchildren born in 2002?

• Will you be celebrating a special birthday or anniversary this year?

Perhaps you have fond memories or photographs from street parties you had for the Queen’s previous Golden or Silver jubilees. Whatever your stories are, we would love to hear from you!

You can email your stories and snaps – along with your name, address and contact details - to communications@helenapartnerships.co.uk. You can also share your stories by contacting the Communications team on 01744 671574.

We may feature your stories and photographs as part of our birthday celebrations this summer – watch this space!

Overall satisfaction with Helena has reached an all-time high of 90% – with 52% of tenants ‘very satisfied’ – according to a Survey of Tenants and Residents (STAR).

The independent survey was carried out to help Helena find out what you think we are getting right and which of our services can be improved.

The largest increase in satisfaction was around giving you the opportunity to make your views known; at 84% it is now 13% higher than two years ago. Satisfaction with the general handling of enquiries also saw a large increase to 87%, which is 7% higher than the previous survey results.

Ten years after our launch, Helena is still committed to creating quality homes, neighbourhoods and communities. It’s good news that 87% of you are satisfied with the condition of your home and 83% with your neighbourhood as a place to live. We’ll keep working hard to improve even further.

The survey highlighted tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as a key priority. Helena’s neighbourhood office teams and anti-nuisance team are working closely with residents and partner organisations to do just that – look out for an update on page five.

Residents Urged To Be Vigilant About CrimeMerseyside Police are urging residents to be vigilant towards crime in their neighbourhoods following a small number of arrests for attempted burglaries in empty properties.

Alarm systems and CCTV help to prevent crime on our estates but it’s vital that residents remain alert to suspicious activity and report any incidents to the police immediately.

Helena and Merseyside Police will continue to work closely with residents to keep our neighbourhoods safe and secure.

USEFUL NUMBERSMerseyside Police non-emergency number: 101

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

PuTaSToPToNuiSaNceVeHicleSTHiSSPriNgNow Spring is upon us there may be an increase in illegal riders and off road vehicles causing nuisance on the roads. Police will be stepping up patrols in well-known trouble spots and seizing off-road bikes from anyone found riding them dangerously.

To report off-road vehicle nuisance contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0151 709 6010 or you can report cases anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

Taking a tough stance on ASBOur neighbourhood officers and dedicated anti-nuisance team are continuing to work closely with residents and partner organisations to stamp out anti-social behaviour (ASB) on Helena estates.

recentsuccessesinclude:

• One tenant was evicted because of the condition of their property.

• Two ASB injunctions gained against tenants who disturbed neighbours with loud arguments.

• One ASB injunction gained against a tenant who played loud music and disturbed neighbours with shouting, swearing and fighting.

• One possession order gained against a tenant following an investigation into serious ASB occurring at the property. Two witnesses were moved for their safety.

Spring 2012

You can now report incidents of anti-social behaviour by sending message to 07860 022826.

Briefly explain the nuisance and include your name, what happened (including when and where) and who was involved.

We will respond to the text within 24 hours if it is classed as an emergency, otherwise we will respond within 48 hours. We will then contact you and discuss what options are available to resolve the matter.

Send a text to

07860022826

5

Helena’s rents are increasingWe wrote to you recently to tell you that we are increasing our rents from April 2012 in line with Government advice.

All tenants have had their rents increased by the government’s set formula of 6.1% (5.6% plus half a per cent). Some tenants will also pay an additional £2.08 per week - this is because their rent is not yet at the target set by government. Their rent will go up by an additional £2.08 each year until their rent reaches the target.

If you receive full or partial housing benefit, this will cover the full amount of the increase for you, unless your circumstances have changed. If your circumstances have changed, the housing benefit team will need to reassess your claim.

Non-dependent charges (for other people living in your property over 18 years old) have increased. You may find yourself paying more rent because of this.

Tenants who currently have a non-dependent charge can ring Helena One Call on 01744 63 73 83 for more details about how the rates are changing.

For advice and support, contact our Money Matters team via Helena One Call on 01744 63 73 83. They’ll be happy to help and offer a range of support options from budget management courses to advice on the best saving options and welfare benefits.

Helena tenants can also access more information about Helena’s rent increase by visiting www.helenahomes.co.uk or by visiting HHTV (access instructions are on page 12).

Provided £37 million

for building new homes

Spent £118 million on repairs

Invested £183 million

on improvements

What does Helena do with the rent money collected from our tenants?

The government is moving ahead with its plans to make changes to the way your benefits are paid.

These changes include reduced benefits for those who have more bedrooms than the government says they need.

All of this has big implications for some of our tenants, although this will depend on your circumstances. We are taking action now to stop tenants getting behind with their rent in the future and we will make sure we provide the right information that applies to you.

We have identified tenants who we think may be initially affected by the changes, and we will be contacting them to offer help and support.

For more information about benefits and money matters advice please contact Helena’s Money Matters team on 01744 63 73 83.

You can also access more information on www.helenahomes.co.uk or by visiting HHTV (instructions on page 12). HHTV viewers can simply click on the main menu, select ‘Your Services,’ followed by ‘Money.’

Welfare Reform

Helena HEADLINES

6

We want to help you – Changes to benefit payments.

PAGE SIX

7

Spring 2012

Ask BobQ: I have recently been looking at benefits for

older people and heard about Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit.

Can you tell me more about them and how I can apply?

A: Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who are physically or mentally disabled and need help with their personal care such as washing, shaving, taking medication and getting around the house. If your disability limits what you can do and you need help looking after yourself, you could qualify for this benefit. However, if you claim Disability Living Allowance before you turn 65 then you would be unable to claim Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is paid on top of other income or benefits and does not affect the amount of housing benefit you are entitled to.

Pension Credit is an income related benefit for pensioners living in Great Britain. It is made up of two different parts, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit works by topping up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level set by the Government, which is £137.35 if you are single or £209.70 if you have a partner.

These amounts may increase if you are disabled or have caring responsibilities. To qualify for this benefit, your income must be less than the minimum guarantee – you can find out more about this using the contact details below.

Savings Credit provides extra money for people who have an income higher than the basic state pension or who have a small amount of savings. This could help to provide you with provisions towards your retirement.

This benefit could top up your weekly income by up to an extra £20.52 a week if you are single or £27.09 if you have a partner.

For further details about Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit you can contact Helena’s Money Matters Team on 01744 63 73 83. You can also contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.direct.gov.uk.

Helena HEADLINES

8

As part of Helena’s commitment to become more accessible, we have opened our Board Meetings to the public to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about our business and objectives.

These monthly meetings cover issues including performance, recent tenant satisfaction scores and housing developments, along with our plans to introduce new partnerships and services.

Catherine Dutton, a Helena tenant and member of our Customer Excellence Panel (CEP) attended a recent Board Meeting and found the experience very useful. She said: “It was very reassuring to listen to the efforts Helena is going to in order to support tenants with potential changes to the benefits they receive.

“I will definitely be going along again and would encourage others to do the same.”

The next Board Meeting will take place on Monday 28th May, 6pm – 9pm in the Resource Centre at Helena Central (you can find the address for Helena Central on page 12).

If you would like to attend the meeting please register your interest by contacting Kath Taylor, Board & Governance Officer, by 5pm on Monday 21st May. Kath can be contacted either by phone on 01744 67 55 57 or by emailing kath.taylor@helenapartnerships.co.uk.

Stay Up To Date With Helena At Board Meetings

BOARD MEETINGS Dates for your Diary

Monday 25th JuneMonday 23rd July6pm – 9pm at Helena CentralContact Kath Taylor for further information.

Board Meetings with Tenants

Helena Forums Celebrate DiversityTenants have been having their say on Helena’s services at a Diversity Forum event.

The forums - which include representative groups for disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, and age – have been developed by Helena to give traditionally under-represented groups of people the chance to scrutinise our services.

Gary Peet, a Helena tenant from Four Acre, attended a recent Diversity Forum session focussing on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history and found the session very fruitful.

He said: “When I heard about the Diversity Forum, I was very curious to find out what it was all about. I enjoyed meeting people from all different types of backgrounds and hearing their personal views on the services Helena provides.”

The next Diversity Forum event will focus on Disability Awareness and will take place on Tuesday 22nd May, 10am-12pm, in the Resource Centre at Helena Central.

If you would like to go along to the next Diversity Forum or find out further information, contact Janet Ruse on 01744 63 73 83.

Gary Peet

9

Spring 2012

New garden service for older and vulnerable TenantsHelena is offering a new service to older and vulnerable tenants who need help to look after their garden areas.

The work is carried out by staff from our Green Space Service team who can lend a helping hand with jobs such as mowing lawns, trimming hedges and other general garden maintenance.

To be eligible for the scheme, you must:

• Be over the age of 75 (or over 55 if you are living in sheltered accommodation);• Have a clear rent account; ANd• Be in receipt of a specified disability benefit.

The charge for the service depends on the size of your garden and the work you would like completing. An estimated cost for a garden taking 30 minutes to complete would be £4.97 each week. To sign up for the service, or for further information, contact diane kelly on 01744 63 73 83.

Well-known garden designer returns to St Helens roots for Green Base openingGarden designer and landscape architect Andrew Wilson returned to his St Helens roots for the opening of Helena’s new community horticulture facility, the Green Base, last autumn.

Andrew (pictured far right) - who grew up in Thatto Heath and went on become Founding Director of The London School of Garden Design – declared the Green Base open to the public alongside the Green Space team and Helena’s Chief Executive, Rob Young.

The Green Base is home to Helena’s Green Space Service and offers a community hub for learning about horticulture, green spaces and becoming more eco-friendly.

Get involved at the Green Base…

The Green Space Service team are currently developing a community garden behind the Green Base and are looking for green-fingered residents to get involved and help them to create raised beds and wildlife areas.

To find out more about this or any other volunteering opportunities at the Green Base, contact Joanne Lyon on 01744 63 73 83.

Green Base 1 Queensland Place

Thatto HeathSt HelensWA9 5SH

In a recent consultation, you told us you would like an improved repairs service.

After working closely with our Customer Excellence Panel (CEP) we have changed the way we prioritise responsive repairs by introducing a new repairs priority system.

Launched in November 2011, the new system has changed how we decide which repairs to do first.

These changes mean that tenants needing emergency jobs – those which pose a health risk, or which may cause harm to the property or its occupants – will now be offered an appointment within a shorter time frame of up to eight hours, and all other repairs which used to fall into the ‘urgent’ and ‘routine’ categories now receive an appointment within 15 days.

These changes are providing a simpler, more flexible and efficient process which is better suited to your needs.

The CEP will continue to scrutinise the new repairs priority system to ensure that we provide a customer responsive, value for money service.

For further information on the repairs priority system, visit www.helenapartnerships.co.uk

We’ve improved our repairs system – Thanks to you!

TipsToSTaYWarm&Well...As the cold weather lingers, more people are being diagnosed with flu which could lead to further problems if you have breathing or circulation difficulties. To help you stay well, it’s important to keep warm at home and follow a healthy lifestyle.

HereareSomeuSefulTiPSToHelPYouSTaYWarmaNdWell:

getactive – it helps to keep you warm and is good for your general fitness and wellbeing. We have a range of activities at our sheltered schemes across St Helens which you can get involved in. Visit HHTV or our website for more details (instructions on page 12);

Trynottositstillformorethananhour when indoors. Make yourself a warm drink, or if walking is difficult, do chair-based exercises such as moving your arms and legs;

Hotmealsanddrinks help to keep you warm, so eat at least one hot meal a day and have hot drinks during the day;

aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day so that you’re getting plenty of nutrients and vitamins. Remember that frozen vegetables are as good as fresh ones.

Most of us spend a lot of time indoors in winter, so it’s important that you are warm, comfortable and safe. onetipistoclosethecurtains and fit thermal linings if you can, as this will help to keep the heat in.

Helena HEADLINES

10

Spring 2012

11

Access to your personal information…

4 View and update your contact details;

4 View your reference number, tenancy type and start date;

4 Find contact details for your neighbourhood and arrears officers and use the links provided to get in contact with them.

Options to identify and report repairs…

4 Report repair work;

4 Access an interactive guide to help you identify the type of repair needed;

4 View details of outstanding and completed repairs and gas service jobs.

Option to view rent details…

4 Find out your rent amount and balance;

4 View details on your last rent payment and a breakdown of charges;

4 Generate custom rent statements between specific dates.

We will soon be adding an extra service to our website which will act as a one stop shop for finding out information on your tenancy and property, reporting repairs and viewing and paying your rent.

Using your own unique log-in and password, our new website service will offer the following convenient benefits:

New Service On Its Way To Helena Homes’ Website

Almost 58% of people over 65 in the UK have never used the internet – are you one of them?

Simple Steps To Help You Get Online

Everyone can benefit from going online, no matter how old you are, where you live or where your interests lie.

Surfing the Web has a whole host of benefits. You can:

u Shop for food, clothes or gifts and have them delivered to your door;

u Stay in contact with relatives and friends;

u Get online health information;

u Research your family tree, and much more.

Helena is committed to helping people learn simple computer skills and get online.

Residents from our sheltered schemes use Skype to keep in touch. This is a free programme on the internet which allows you to see and speak to friends and family using a web cam.

Shirley Hattersley from Morley Way likes to log on and link up with her friend Rose Bennett from Rainford Road. Using their web cams, the pair can see each other on their computer screens while they are having a chat.

Shirley said: “I am thoroughly enjoying getting to grips with computers and learning how to Skype. Instead of making a phone call, I now know how to email and Skype my friends and family and its opened up a whole new world for me.”

For further information and updates, stay tuned to www.helenahomes.co.uk or visit our digital TV site,

HHTV (instructions on page 12).

You too can learn how to get online with computer classes at Sandalwood Gardens sheltered scheme in Sutton. The classes take place every Wednesday, 10am-12pm, and cost £2 per session.

For further information, contact Nikki Wilkinson on 01744 63 73 83.

Would you like to find out more about the ways we support our vulnerable tenants? Perhaps you would like to find out advice on benefits or how you can get involved and have your say with Helena.

Whatever query you have, tuning into HHTV is an easy and accessible way to find answers. If you are a Sky or Virgin viewer, you can surf our TV site from the comfort of your armchair at a time that is convenient to you.

You can report repairs and anti-social behaviour (ASB), request Helena documents, and view the latest Helena news, events and job opportunities.

It couldn’t be simpler to tune in - here’s how: • Skyviewers:

Go to the Community Channel (number 539); press the red button, enter Quick Code 4488.

• Virginviewers: Press ‘home’ button; choose ‘interactive’; click on ‘news&info’; click on ‘Looking Local’; enter Quick Code 4488.

Contact UsTranslations are available on request and if you would like a copy of this document in large print, braille or audio tape, please call 01744 63 73 83 for more information. Here are the ways you can access our services:

You can phone One Call on 01744 63 73 83 or call into one of our neighbourhood offices:

• Helena Central, 4 Corporation Street, St Helens Town Centre WA9 1LD

• Helena West, 70/72 Thatto Heath Road, Thatto Heath WA10 3QS 2-6 Millersdale, Four Acre, Clock Face WA9 4GE

• Helena East, 193 Newton Road, Parr WA9 2JR

By phone: 01744 63 73 83

By email: onecall@helenapartnerships.co.uk

Website: www.helenahomes.co.uk

Using our digital TV site, Helena Homes TV:

• Sky viewers: Go to the Community Channel (number 539); press the red button; enter Quick Code 4488.

• Virgin viewers: Press ‘home’ button; choose ‘interactive’; click on ‘news & info’; click on ‘Looking Local’; enter Quick Code 4488.

• To access through Nintendo Wii or internet-enabled mobile phones, type this into your browser: http://www.lookinglocal.gov.uk/helena

Face to face at any of the offices below or at the drop-in events we hold regularlyin community venues. Details of these can be found on our website and HHTV.

If you would like a member of staff to visit you at home please give us a call on 01744 63 73 83 and we will make an appointment for you.

Helena Central 4 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA9 1LD

Helena East 192 Newton Road, Derbyshire Hill, St Helens, WA9 2JR

Helena West 70-72 Thatto Heath Road, Thatto Heath, St Helens, WA10 3QS

www.helenahomes.co.uk

HHTV Quickcode 4488 (instructions above)

Helena HEADLINES

ShareyourHHTVexperience…If you would like to share your views, comments and experiences of using HHTV, please email communications@helenapartnerships.co.uk and provide your name, address and telephone number.

All entries will be put into a free prize draw for a chance to win£50 High Street gift vouchers and the winner will be announced in the summer edition of Helena Headlines.

The deadline for entries is Friday 20th April.

Find Out More With HHTV