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Winter 2011/12 Issue 39
News and views for residents of
Bro Myrddin Housing Association
sgwrsNEWS,ADVICE,PUZZLES,INFO
Make your owndecorationsPage 7
ReadercompetitionsPage 8
Page 5
Keeping warmthis winter
WELCOME tothe Winter issue ofSgwrs.
The cold nights are
with us again and no
doubt your warm
knitted jumpers and thermals have
reappeared from the wardrobe.
But we can help warm you up too!
The Editorial Team has been busier
than Santa’s elves in this issue of
Sgwrs ensuring that you get the most
from your newsletter.
We have included a wide variety of
articles designed to keep you up to
date with our progress, as well as
some handy tips to help you through
the winter.
We have also included a Christmas
wordsearch for the grown ups with a
prize of £25, along with a colouring
competition for the children.
We always try and make the
newsletter interesting and entertaining
How to get in touch
Sgwrs is published by:
Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd
Designed and produced by:
Andrew Buchanan Communications
www.buchanan-communications.co.uk
Phone: 01267 232714
Text: 07797 801628
Email: [email protected]
Write to: Bro Myrddin
Housing Association,
Cillefwr Industrial Estate,
Johnstown, Carmarthen
SA31 3RB
The office will be closed on Friday 16th December for staff training and on
Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December. The office will close at 12noon on Friday, 30th December, remain closed on Monday 2nd January2012 and re-open on Tuesday 3rd January at 8:45am.
Emergency numbers
Office closures over the Christmasand New Year holiday
2 Sgwrs Winter 2011/12
l A resident’sview of whatit’s like to getinvolved
l Top Tips onkeeping outthe cold thiswinter
l New source ofsupport foryoungsters
l Make your owndecorations forChristmas –naturally
l Mini muffins:mouthwateringChristmasrecipe
4
7
5
6
7
Sgwrs can be provided in
large print, Braille, audio or
your preferred language on
request. Please call us on
01267 232714.
Bro Myrddin Housing Association Ltd is a charitable association registered under the
Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965 (23055R) and with Housing for Wales (L069).
Competitions: Prize draws and competitions are only open to Bro Myrddin residents.
Board members and staff may not enter competitions, unless otherwise stated.
Accuracy: We try to make sure that information in Sgwrs is correct, but readers should
seek independent advice before relying on any content. We cannot accept
responsibility for errors in articles. We reserve the right to edit material sent in. Sgwrs
may not be reproduced without prior permission.
Cover image: © Robyn Mackenzie | Dreamstime.com
In thisissue
IT’SALL FOR
YOU!
Welcometo your hearty and
satisfying Sgwrs!
If you have an emergency in your home when
we are closed, there are two numbers to ring:
n For out-of-hours emergencies (including gas
and oil fired heating system emergencies) call
Carmarthenshire County Council’s 24 hour
emergency Careline 01558 824283.
n For GAS emergencies, call Transco on 0800 111999.
Got amaintenanceproblem? Callus FREE on0800 3169602
and look forward to receiving your
views and comments.
If you would like more information
about getting involved in Sgwrs, the
Residents’ Forum or any other of the
services Bro Myrddin provides, then
please contact me at
[email protected] or simply
give me a call on my direct line:
01267 239418.
Aled ReesEditor
PS Don’t forget, if you have any
articles or suggestions for Sgwrs
please contact the Sgwrs Team. Let’s
make the newsletter even better!
PPS Find us on Facebook:
Bro-Myrddin-Housing-Association
Why is a Customer ServicesManager needed? During a consultation exercise withresidents, it was recognised that BroMyrddin needs a more streamlinedapproach to customer services. Thiswas reinforced in a customer servicesreview carried out by an externalconsultant which found out thatcustomer service is extremely importantand that everything we do here at BroMyrddin has an impact on the servicesyou receive.
About meWhen I first went to Plymouth Universityto do a degree in social policy andadministration, I didn’t really know whatI wanted to do. I enjoyed the housingside of my course, so when I left I waslucky enough to get my foot in the doorof a housing association and havenever looked back. I went on to complete a part time
masters degree in housing at CardiffUniversity. Over the past ten years, I have
gained a wide variety of housingexperience, from being a housingofficer and a specialist anti socialbehaviour case officer to managingstudent accommodation.
What will I be doing for you and BroMyrddin? Since starting at Bro Myrddin, I havebeen considering all the services thatyou receive and how you receive them.I have also been reviewing the numberand type of enquiries, comments,
Sgwrs Winter 2011/12 3
compliments and complaints wereceive, helping us learn about yourexperiences of Bro Myrddin.This is all work going on behind the
scenes. While it won’t have animmediate effect, ultimately theinformation gathered will help us toimprove the way we work and theservices we provide.
The Links ProjectIn September we launched ‘The LinksProject’, which is designed to ‘link’front line staff, departments and you,our customers. To do this we are working to
streamline access to the information weneed by utilising our resources to theirfull potential, including IT systems, filingsystems and staff time. To achieve this we are simplifying the
way we process tasks by cutting outunnecessary work and duplication. Ourgoal is to ensure that your needs are atthe heart of our services and that wedeliver them in the most effective andefficient way.
Please get in touch I would love to hear your views on the
services you receive from us: whether
good, bad or in between we can learn
from you. Feel free to call me or pop
into the office for an informal chat.
You can contact me on 01267 232714
or by email at [email protected]
improvingthe
serviceswe provide � Homes
transferredSixty-two homes have been
transferred to Bro Myrddin from
Wales and West Housing
Association. The properties are
at Glannant House, College
Road and Llys Ffynnon,
Fountain Hall Terrace, both in
Carmarthen.
Glannant House (pictured
above) consists of 30 flats built
in 1976. The development is
close to public transport and
includes communal gardens and
resident parking areas.
Built in 1990, Llys Ffynnon
consists of 32 one and two
bedroom flats let to people over
60 (or 55 with a medical
condition). There is a communal
lounge, laundry and guest room.
A separate maisonette is
occupied by the scheme
manager.
� Clearer rentstatementsWe have been busy redesigning
your rent statements to make
them clearer and easier to
understand. For example, all
abbreviations have been
removed.
We have also included
information on the back of the
rent statement to remind you of
the different ways you can now
pay your rent.
If you have any comments on
the new rent statements, please
contact us on 01267 232714.
BRO MYRDDIN MATTERS
BRIEFLY...
l Tracy Mellor, who joined in August as
Bro Myrddin’s first Customer Services
Manager, tells us about herself, her role
and The Links Project.
4 Sgwrs Winter 2011/12
GETTING INVOLVED
I have been on the residents’ forum for just over a year now and verymuch enjoy the meetings which are held every one or two months. The material we look at concerns the way in which Bro Myrddin runs and how
that affects service delivery. We do not see any confidential residentinformation – only material about the organisation and how it operates. Thethings we look at range from Welsh Government frameworks, which housingassociations have to comply with, to information distributed to residents. We are in effect helping to improve services from a resident’s perspective.There are about nine residents from different areas in and around Carmarthen
who regularly attend the meetings. We represent a wide age range which bringsdifferent perspectives to our work.We all have something to contribute to meetings – whether it’s from our
personal experience or professional background. Mark Richards, the Head ofHousing Services, is there to be heckled by the group, although he offers inreturn his willing guidance and advice. Steve Rafferty from Open Communitiesalso helps to guide and advise us.We are offered training for some tasks, which is great for personal and
professional development – and free! Just now, we are in the middle of setting up an anti-social behaviour group as
a result of visiting Newydd Housing Association’s annual general meeting inCardiff and getting an insight into how their association operates. We got tomeet Newydd residents and spent time socialising over a wonderful meal. During estate visits we gain information about issues which affect people living
in areas besides our own. It is also a chance for other residents to find out whatwe do and to consider participating themselves. The support on offer from both Bro Myrddin staff and fellow members of the
forum is great. And best of all, we manage to have a good laugh too. It maysound a very formal affair – but it’s not. We are a really friendly bunch and if you were to come and have a look at
what we do, you would be made to feel very welcome! By sharing yourexperiences and ideas you can help shape the way yourhousing association provides services. There’s noobligation to attend every meeting – you can pick thethings you feel are relevant or just turn up when you can. That’s the other great thing about the residents’ forum
– there’s plenty of choice! Travel expenses, lunch, intellectual, practical and
emotional support are all provided as standard. Youcan’t even get that from the NHS these days!If you are interested in finding out more, pleasecall 01267 232714 or email [email protected]
InvolvementopportunityAs part of our commitment toinvolving residents, we are lookingfor residents to sit on the ResidentScrutiny Panel.This is no ordinary resident
involvement opportunity. This newpanel allows real scrutiny of how BroMyrddin delivers services andperformance. It also ensures greatertransparency in how the organisationoperates and puts tenants at the heartof the organisation.
What will the Panel do?• Give an independent view of BroMyrddin processes andperformance.
• Highlight what is good about theorganisation and what needs toimprove.
• Make evidence basedrecommendations to the Board.
What would be expected of theindividuals on the Panel?• Commitment. It is likely to involvemeetings every 6-8 weeks
• To use information provided to reachconclusions.
• To ask questions and probe howthings are being done.
• To assess services againstperformance indicators and servicestandards.
• To attend meetings with other panelmembers and officers of BroMyrddin.
What skills would you need to be aneffective panel member?• The ability to work independentlyand as part of a team.
• The ability to understand andanalyse reports and information.
• Verbal communication skills. • The ability to express views clearlyand effectively in a formal meetingsetting, making reasonedcontributions.
• The ability to challengeconstructively, while respecting theroles, views and feelings of others. Full support and training will be
provided to all panel members and itwill be an exciting opportunity forthose selected. If you are interested inthis opportunity, please contact MarkRichards on 01267 232714.
ResidentsForum Meetings201219th January21st March23rd May19th July19th September28th November
always
l Netia Louis-Preece, residentmember of the Sgwrs EditorialTeam, says the great thingabout the Residents’ Forum is that there’s...
plenty of
COPING WITH WINTER
Food and drink� Have hot food and warm drinks regularly.
� Potatoes, beans, bread milk, eggs, fish and
meat are foods that help you generate warmth.
� Eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
� Stock up on basic foods, so that you don’t have to go out when it’s
really cold.
Keep moving to help the body generate heat� Do things round the house like cleaning, hoovering, dusting.
� If you find walking difficult, wiggle your fingers and toes and
move your arms and legs.
Keep your home warm� Keep your home heated to a minimum of 21c/70f –
use central heating if you’ve got it.
� Try not to let the temperature drop below 16c/60f
� Sleep with the windows shut.
Dress for warmth� Wear several thin layers of clothes rather than
one bulky jumper.
� Clothes made from wool, polyester or fleecy
synthetics are usually warmest.
� Thermal underwear can help.
� Wrap up if you’re going outside and wear a hat as
lots of body heat is lost through your head.
Sgwrs Winter 2011/12 5
Press 1 to get 10 more options,Press 2 if you can be bothered tostay on the line, Press 3 if you wantto hear me talking a bit more, Press4 if you want the phone to selfdestruct, press 5 if you have nothingbetter to do than stay on the phoneall day... Press 12 if you want me togo through all of this again.From consulting our residents it has
been made clear that you want us toimprove our Customer Services. Part ofthis involves us setting up a CustomerServices Team which can deal withyour enquiry on the phone the first timeyou call us. We are working hard getting ready to
deliver this service, but there are anumber of stages we need to gothrough in preparation.The first significant change that will
affect you has been to the telephonesystem.There are now only two options:PRESS 1 to redirect to Westward, for
all gas and plumbing related calls. PRESS 2 to speak to a member of
Bro Myrddin staff. Reception,maintenance, housing, the Welsh lineand the 0800 calls are now all handledon this option.If you’d like to speak to someone in
Welsh and the person who answers thephone isn’t a Welsh speaker, then yourcall will be passed to a member of staffwho is.We will continue to consult andupdate you as we get closer tolaunching the new CustomerServices Team.
How to avoid a burst pipe� Keep your home warm.
� Know where to find the main water stop valve, and how to turn it off.
If it doesn’t work properly, notify us by calling free on 0800 316 9602.
If you have to leave your home empty for more than a week whenthere is danger of hard frost:� Turn off all water by turning the stop valve and then run all the taps
until the water stops. Turn off all taps before your leave.
When you return:� Turn the stop valve on again and make sure that the water flows
properly from all taps.
� Switch on the central heating. If you find that it does not heat up,
turn off the system and notify us by calling free on 0800 316 9602.
If you have a burst pipe:� Turn off your heating and hot water system.
� Turn off the water at the stop valve.
� Turn on all taps to drain the water and stop it from flooding your home.
to staying
warm thisTOP
TIPS
Is telephoninggetting youdown?
© Aleksandra Belikova | Dreamstime.com
© Zabiamdeve | Dreamstime.com
alwaysplenty of
6 Sgwrs Winter 2011/12
ELECTRICITY REBATE
Here’s a scheme that could deliver a
worthwhile rebate at a time of year when
savings are most welcome.
warm home
discountscheme
A coffee morning was held on the last
Friday in September to raise money
for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Residents of Glannant House,
Carmarthen, and a few
contractors, were invited to the
coffee morning for a chat and
some coffee and cake.
Eighty pounds was raised for
Macmillan.
Meic is a new helpline and advocacy service for children and young people
up to the age of 25 in Wales.
From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a
tricky situation, Meic will listen when no-one else will. We'll give you quality
information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.
Contact us in Welsh or English – it’s up to you! We're open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. You can contact us by phone, email, text and instant
messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.
Phone: 0808 802 3456 SMS txt: 84001 IM/webchat: www.meiccymru.org
The Warm Home Discount Schemeprovides a £120 rebate on yourelectricity bill in winter 2011/12 ifyou qualify.
Who can get the Warm HomeDiscount?You may qualify for this energy rebate ifyou get only the Guarantee Creditelement of Pension Credit on thequalifying date (11 September 2011). You will not qualify if you get the
Savings Credit element of PensionCredit.To qualify, your energy provider must
be participating in this scheme andyour name or your partner’s name mustbe on the electricity bill.Energy companies may also give a
£120 rebate to some customers whodon’t receive Guarantee Credit.Participating energy companies willidentify customers who they think couldbe eligible.
What you need to doIf you qualify, you don’t need to takeany action now.
When will you get your Warm HomeDiscount?The first energy rebates will be made inwinter 2011/12. If you qualify you’ll geta letter this winter to confirm this. If youqualify, but an automatic rebate can’tbe made, you’ll receive a letter askingyou to provide further information. Thisinformation will be available on yourelectricity bill.
How the Warm Home DiscountScheme worksThe Department for Work andPensions and participating electricitysuppliers will share some limitedinformation about their customers.
This allows participating electricitysuppliers to give the energy rebateautomatically to customers whoqualify.The Warm Home Discount Scheme
will run for four years from winter2011/12. Rebates will be paid andfunded by participating electricitysuppliers. They are: British Gas, EDFEnergy, E.ON, M&S Energy, Npower,Sainsbury’s Energy, and Swalec.
Cold Weather Payment and WinterFuel PaymentThe Warm Home Discount will not
affect any Cold Weather Payment orWinter Fuel Payment you may receive.For more information please visitwww.direct.gov.uk or contact yourenergy supplier.
Thank you Mrs Cheeseman of Parc YFfordd, Carmarthen, for passing thisinformation to us. If you haveinformation or advice that you wouldlike to share with Bro Myrddinresidents, please contact the editoron 01267 239418 or [email protected]
Money raised for Macmillan
New help from
© Vincent Petaccio | Dreamstime.com
Sgwrs Winter 2011/12 7
Christmas decorations don’t
need to be expensive. In fact,
they could be there for the
taking...
decorating forChristmas
way
CHRISTMAS MATTERS
Many traditional Christmasdecorations use natural materials,so there’s no reason why you can’tmake your own stylish Christmasdecorations. Try scouring your local park for a few
pine cones that have fallen from thetrees. These can then be dried out athome. You could leave them ‘as is’, and
simply tie a piece of metallic string orribbon to them, or give them a slightspray of gold or silver for a more vibrantlook. The cones can be used singly asChristmas tree decorations, orincorporated into wreathes or tablepieces. Why not scatter a fewpinecones around church candles for asimple yet elegant Christmas display?A few days before Christmas, you
could also collect pieces of ivy. Trypicking lengths of ivy that trail, as thesecan be woven together around pictureand mirror frames, candles or drapedover mantelpieces. Sprigs of holly, fir ormistletoe are also popular Christmasdécor pieces, and can be bunchedtogether and hung from door frames ordoorknobs. If you want to bring some gorgeous
spicy Christmas fragrance into yourhouse, there is no easier way thanusing oranges. Slice the oranges to athickness of just under 1cm, and thenvery slowly dry them out in the oven ona low temperature setting. Once the orange slices are dry, a
loop of ribbon can be added to makethem into Christmas tree decorations,or they can be incorporated with clovesand cinnamon as part of a Christmaspot pourri mix. Whole satsumas ororanges can also be decorated withcloves and placed on the tree or on amantelpiece.
Ingredients
200g/7oz self-raising flour,sifted
100g/3½oz golden caster sugar
100ml/3½fl oz sunflower oil
75ml/2½fl oz milk
1 large free-range egg
50g/1¾oz good quality darkchocolate, chopped
1 heaped tbsp high qualitymincemeat
50g/1¾oz good quality whitechocolate, chopped
50g/1¾oz dried (or fresh)cranberries
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas5 and put 24 mini-muffin cases insidea mini-muffin tin.
2. Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl,then make a well in the centre. Whisktogether the oil, milk and egg andslowly pour into the bowl, stirringgently. Divide this mixture betweentwo bowls. In one bowl add the darkchocolate and mincemeat. Add thewhite chocolate and cranberries tothe other bowl. Stir very gently.
3. Divide the two mixtures among the 24muffin cases and bake for 20 minutesor until golden brown and risen.
4. Remove the muffins to a wire rackand eat warm.
30 mins preparation time;
10-30 mins cooking time.
Makes 24
Christmas mini-muffins
XMASRECIPE
Find and highlight all 20
words associated with
Christmas below that are hidden in the
Wordsearch box, then send your entry to the
Editor at the Bro Myrddin office by 23rd
January 2012, together with the completed
form.
If yours is the first correct entry out of thehat, a £25 prize will be on its way to you!
8 Sgwrs Winter 2011/12
CHRISTMAS
PRESENTS
STOCKING
FATHER CHRISTMAS
CRACKERS
DECORATIONS
CHRISTMAS TREE
STAR
NATIVITY
JESUS
MARY
JOSEPH
STABLE
SHEPHERDS
WISE MEN
BETHLEHEM
CAROLS
TURKEY
MINCE PIES
NEW YEAR
COMPETITION CORNER
If you’re under 14, whynot try your hand atcolouring in this pictureof Santa deliveringpresents?
You can use crayons,
felt tips, paints – in fact
anything you like!
When your masterpiece is finished, send it
in to the Editor at the Bro Myrddin office,
not forgetting to include the completed
form.
Make sure you send it in by 23rd January
2012.
If the Editorial team thinks that your entryis the best, you’ll win a fantastic crafts boxfull of felts, glitters and much more.
GOOD LUCK!
Find the hidden words to win
Name: .............................................. Age: ........
Address: ...........................................................
..........................................................................
Tel no: ...............................................................
Colour it in and win a crafts box!
Name: .............................................................
Address: ..........................................................
.........................................................................
Tel no: ..............................................................
l Congratulations to Mrs J Payne of Glasfryn, St Clears, who won the summer Wordsearch competition and £25.