KEY

12 / Your chance to attend our AGM

GOFYNNWCH OS YDYCH CHI'N EISAU FERSIWN GYMRAEG O'R CYHOEDDIAD YMA

THE

SUMMER 2014 THE NEWSLETTER OF PEMBROKESHIRE HOUSING

New Community Garden:

10 / Peppa Pig booked to openKensington Court Fayre!

Tenants visit land unsuitable for housing during itstransformation into St Oswalds Community Garden

See page 6

11 / Don’t miss out onour free Big Day Out

Tenants’ Panel News

My name is Maggie Kirbyand I have been aPembrokeshire Housingtenant for 6 years and I amcurrently Chair of theTenants’ Panel.

The Tenantsʼ Panel meets oncea month and is open to all tenantsto attend. We are consulted onpolicies and work in partnershipwith Pembrokeshire Housing staffto improve services. On a lighternote, refreshments are providedand we have fun judgingcompetitions and sharinginformation.

Panel members can take part intraining, study visits to neighbouringlandlords and have the opportunityto attend conferences. Panelmembers are able to develop newskills, so it’s a great way ofvolunteering whilst also having anopportunity to improve your CV!There are various ways you can getinvolved such as a Design Teamthat visits and provides feedbackon new properties and a DisabilityGroup which meets once a month.

We are currently working on theBig Day Out on the 1st August (seepage 13) where volunteers and staffwork together to provide a greatFREE day out for all tenants.

I’m delighted that PembrokeshireHousing has recently appointedRobin Ashton as our new TenantInvolvement and CommunityInvestment Officer. Robin’s dutiesinclude organising opportunities fortenants to work with PembrokeshireHousing and empowering andenabling tenants to get involved.

I welcome you to make contactwith Robin (tel: 01437 763688) to seeif she can help you in any way and tojoin the Tenants’ Panel at our nextmeeting.

Tenants’ Panel meetingsHeld at 6pm in the Board Room,Meyler House, St Thomas Green,Haverfordwest (free parkingavailable) Monday 14th JulyMonday 8th SeptemberMonday 13th OctoberMonday 10th November

2 / The Key Summer 2014

Welcome to your Summer Edition of The Key...

TENANTS’ PANEL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO EVERY TENANT

Maggie Kirby, Chair of Tenants’ Panel writes

Tenants getting involved

Welcome to your Summer Edition of The Key...

TENANTS’ PANEL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO EVERY TENANT

In May a group of 18 tenantsfrom Pembrokeshire Housing andTAFF Housing Association inCardiff spent the day togethersharing information and visitingsome of our projects here inPembrokeshire.

The group visited St OswaldsCommunity Garden in Pembroke in themorning to view progress there and metwith tenants at Hanover CourtIndependent Living Scheme in Tenby inthe afternoon to discuss local issues.

Meeting, learning and sharing informationIt’s all in a day’s work for our brilliant team of tenants!

The Key Summer 2014 / 3

Seven members ofour Tenants’ Panelvisited TaiCeredigion’s BroTeifi ShelteredScheme in Cardiganin May to meet withtheir MonitoringGroup.

The Monitoring Groupis similar to our Tenants’Panel, both work inpartnership with their landlord to ensure tenants get a good service.

It was an excellent opportunity to share good practise and ideas with aneighbouring landlord.

TAFF Housing received a warm ‘Croeso’!

Tenants’ Panel was on the road again with astudy visit to Tai Ceredigion Bro Teifi

TAFF tenants said:

“We were overwhelmed with the hospitality of staff and tenantsIt was nice to talk to a lovely bunch of tenants about their garden and properties ”

We recently welcomed Helen Nicholas as our new member of the Benefitsand Money Advice Team. Many of you will have already met either SharonJenkins or Clayton Gobbi, our other experts in benefits and money advice.

If you need any advice or assistance with applying for benefits or maximising your income, please give the team a call on

0800 854568 or 01437 763688 or e-mail housing@pembs-ha.co.uk

Helping you with your money

4 / The Key Summer 2014

Discretionary paymentsOur Benefits and Money

Advisors can help you apply for aDiscretionary Housing Payment tohelp with your rent.

Affected by the Bedroom Tax?Our Benefits and Money Advisors can help you

Now meet the Benefits and Money Advice Team!

1 Help with the cost if youwant to move

If you would like to move to a smallerhome, we can offer advice and £500to help with the cost of moving.

2

Has your housing benefit been reduced because you have a‘spare’ bedroom? Are you struggling to pay your rent?

We can help you in TWO ways:

Please contact our Benefits and Money Advisors for assistance on: 0800 854568 or 01437 763688 or e-mail housing@pembs-ha.co.uk

Sharon Jenkins Clayton Gobbi Helen Nicholas

Is alcoholor drug useaffectingyourtenancy?

CAIS floating Support offers tenancy relatedsupport to individuals whose tenancy isbeing affected by their alcohol/drug use.

Email amy.remington@cais.org.uk or call 01437 766299 or 0743 6037765 for more information.

The Key Summer 2014 / 5

Pembrokeshire Action to CombatHardship (PATCH) is a foodbankbased in Haverfordwest, MilfordHaven and Monkton.

They provide non-perishable food,toiletries, clothing and small householditems to people in need throughoutPembrokeshire.

If you are waiting for your benefits tobe sorted out or are having otherfinancial difficulties and need food andother items, please contact us on 01437776956 or 0800 854568 or e-mail housing@pembs-ha.co.uk andwe can provide you with a voucher.

Help in a crisis

Waiting for benefits? Financialdifficulties? Then please talk to us...

• It keeps you safe• It keeps you warm• Will help reduce your bills Gas and oil servicing is required annually. We will be in contact with you toarrange a visit with a heating engineer. If the date we give you for your serviceis not convenient, please let us know straight away by calling 01437 763688and we will arrange another for you.Customers who allow us “first time access” to carry out thisvital and free service, will be entered into a monthly prize drawand five will win a £25 shopping voucher. Thank you for helpingus keep you safe and warm and good luck in the prize draw.

Daniel’s hard work in keeping you safe is recognisedStaff member Daniel Pannell has won the trainee of theyear award at the UK OFTEC Awards for Excellence eventheld in June. OFTEC is the competent person scheme forthe domestic oil heating and cooking industry.

6 / The Key Summer 2014

“Winning this award is massive. I didn’t know I’d been entered for it untilmy boss told me two weeks ago so it’s areal surprise and a confidence boost. I’m working towards becoming a fullyqualified plumber and this will definitelyhelp me along the way - Daniel ”

Help us to help keep you and your family safeGas and oil servicing– why we do it

Gas and oil servicing

Pembrokeshire Housing andPembroke 21C CommunityAssociation have beenworking in partnership todevelop a piece of slopingland that’s unsuitable forhousing and surrounded bylisted historic walls.

Pembroke 21C exists to workclosely with the whole community,particularly young people, toencourage pride andcommunity spirit inPembroke.

They have workedhard to obtain funding fortheir volunteers to developthis Pembrokeshire Housingowned piece of land. This funding includes:

• Environment Wales SupportingSustainable Living Grant

• Pembrokeshire Heath ChallengeWales Wellbeing Activity Grant

• Donation from Greggs Bakery

• Plus volunteers even raised£2000 from a sponsored abseil!

If you would like to be involved in the project contactPembroke 21C on 01646 680090

Daniel’s hard work in keeping you safe is recognised

St Oswalds Community Garden

By working in partnership land unsuitable for housing is transformed

The Key Summer 2014 / 7

DOYO

UHA

VE GREEN FINGERSTOO?

Enter our gardeningcompetition -

see page 8

Everyone who enters will receive acertificate. Plaques will be presented tothe winners of Best Estate and BestCommunal Garden categories. Prizes

will be given to the winners andrunners up of all other categories.

This competition is open to all ofour tenants and to children whohave a guardian or parent who is

a tenant of Pembrokeshire Housing.

Garden Competition 2014

There is a wide range of categories to choose from so you can pick one, or more,

that is just right for you, no matter your garden’s size.Judging will take place on 23rd and 24th July 2014.

Final call for our Garden Competition!Show us the results of your green fingers

To enter, please complete the entry slip and return to Robin Ashton in thepre-paid envelope provided by Friday 18th July 2014.

What the judges will belooking for…

Design and layout

Hard and soft landscaping

Colour and creativity

Quality produce

Special features

Please choose your category by ticking one or more boxes:Best Communal Garden Best Estate Best Improved GardenTallest Sunflower Adult’s Garden Children’s GardenVegetable & Herb GreenhouseWindow Boxes, Planters & Hanging Baskets DisplayName:Address:

Post Code:Tel No: email:

8 / The Key Summer 2014

The Key Summer 2014 / 9

Paying your rent

By phone using Debit or Credit card:Dial 01437 763688 or 0800 854568 andchoose Option 7. This will take you straight through to the FinanceDepartment for you tomake a rent payment.

There are many ways to pay your rent

Online using a Debit Card:Visit our website at www.pembs-ha.co.ukclick on the Pay Your Rent link and followthe instructions.

The Post Office:You can pay through your local Post Officeby Girobank using your Girocard.

In person at Meyler House:You can pay at ouroffice using cash,cheque, postal order,debit or credit card.

Through your bank:You can pay by Direct Debit and Standing Orders.Payment mandates can be ordered by phoning 01437 763688 or 0800 854568 or downloaded fromour website at www.pembs-ha.co.uk. You can also paythrough your bank using a paying-in book.

By post:By post usingcheques orpostal orders

By door-to-door collection:if you are registered disabledand are unable to use any of ourother payment methods.

10 / The Key Summer 2014

What’s on and where!

De Clare Court Summer Fete Saturday 12th July 2pm to 4pm

Kensington Court Summer Fayre Saturday 19th July from 2pm

...met up with friends

...time for a chat

...enjoyed the stalls

... fun browsing

...had fun...

Non tenants are welcome. There’s fun for everyone, last year we...

Last year we had...

...and THIS year the fayre will be opened by Peppa Pig and George!Non tenants are welcome

Are YOU registered to vote?Look out for a letter that will tell you whether you need to take action and see

the leaflet enclosed with this addition of The Key!

If you would like a stall please contact Margaret on 01437 763768.

There will be lots of fun activities for the whole family – includingRough ‘N’ Tumble, Purple Routes play, free swimming for under16s, free sample leisure activities and activities for older peopletoo plus information and advice from essential local services.Do you need transport? Buses from all over the county will be available for people whoneed transport – book your space on a free bus by calling theCouncil’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 before 18th July.Please state that you are booking transport for the Big Day Out.

Any volunteers that would like to help with theorganisation of the day

please get in touch.

FREE raffleand leisure

samplesessions

Big Day Out 2014

Our annual BIG DAY OUT is a summer fun day organised bytenants and housing staff especially for tenants ofPembrokeshire Housing and Pembrokeshire Council.

The Key Summer 2014 / 11

De Clare Court Summer Fete Saturday 12th July 2pm to 4pm

... fun browsing

FREE day outwith tea,

coffee, cakeand packed

lunch!

FREE playsession with

PurpleRoots

Balloonmodelling,

face paintingand bouncy

castle

Danceworkshops

and loads ofcrafts

STOP PRESS!There will alsobe a stunning

falconry display!

Make Friday, 1st of August 2014, a day to remember whenwe’d love to see you at the Meads Leisure Centre, Milford Haven which will be this year’svenue for our third and best ever FREE...

Annual General Meeting

12 / The Key Summer 2014

I would like to attend the AGM

I will require transport please

Name:

Address:

Post code:

Tel no: email:

Don’t miss out! Therewill be displaysshowing the work ofPembrokeshireHousing along withuseful informationstands. Lightrefreshments will beprovided on the night.

Doors will open andregistration forshareholding membersbegins at 5.00pm followedby the official opening ofthe AGM at 6.15pm.

If you would like to come and require transport please complete and returnthe reply slip below in the prepaid envelope provided by Friday 18th July.

You’re invited to join us at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel,Pembroke Dock on Monday 28th July for our

2014 Pembrokeshire HousingAnnual General Meeting

Getting together

The Key Summer 2014 / 13

We have re-launched ourPembrokeshire HousingDisability Group (PHDG) andnow meet on the lastWednesday of the month atKensington Court, MilfordHaven at 2.30pm (exceptAugust and December).

We have contacted over 300households to invite tenants withdisabilities to join the group, share

information, socialiseand supportothers who

Pembrokeshire Housing Disability GroupA chance for people to meet, chat and have fun

aren’t able to attend meetings. Overthe next few months the group will bedrafting a leaflet to advise disabledpeople how best to accessappropriate housing as members feltthe process can be confusing.

Contact Robin on 01437 763997or robin.ashton@pembs-ha.co.uk ifyou would like to join the group.

Free refreshments are providedand new members are very welcome.PHDG will meet on the 30th July,

24th September and 29th October 2014.

Competition corner

Name: Age:Address:

Post code: Phone no: email:

Summer is now here andwe have 25 £5 vouchers togive away to 25 luckychildren!Try and find all 8 words in the wordsearch and then send it along with thecompetition entry slip to Meyler House(full address on back page). Closing date for entries is Friday 5thSeptember 2014 and the Tenants’

Panel will be pulling the names of the winners out of a hat on Monday 8thSeptember 2014. You could be one of our lucky winners!Rules of entry. This competition is open to children who on the Monday 8thSeptember 2014 are aged under 13 years old and have a parent or guardianwho is a tenant of Pembrokeshire Housing. One entry per child please.

BEACH HOLIDAY SUN

FOOTBALLPARK SWING

Summer word search competition

FUN SAND

14 / The Key Summer 2014

The Key Spring 2014 / 15

Catering Academy recently won thecontract to provide catering at ourtwo Extra Care schemes, KensingtonCourt and De Clare Court.

They have started off well and have beenholding dementia friendly workshops. They aimto have at least one member of staff at eachscheme trained as a dementia champion andfocus on engaging with tenants through eventslike summer BBQs, a pudding club and coffeemornings as well as providing quality catering.

We are also delighted that our former catering staff have been retained and continue to work at our schemes.

The Key Summer 2014 / 15

Extra Care News Roundup

Extra Care tenants enjoy......food, glorious food!

On March 24th NancyLlewellyn celebrated her100th birthday with aparty at KensingtonCourt.

Born and raised in the town,Nancy was the eldest of five

daughters to the Llewellyn Brothersfurniture business on Charles Street. Speakingat her party, Nancy said she had enjoyed avery happy life, commenting “Perhaps thesecret is a contented life.”

Graham Holmes, director of PembrokeshireHousing, wished Nancy happy birthday fromher ‘extended family’ at Kensington Court commenting, “This is a first forme; I’ve never had the pleasure of saying happy birthday to someone whois 100 years old before.”

A very happy 100th birthday Nancy!

BEACH HOLIDAY SUN

FUN SAND

Getting in touch

16 / The Key Summer 2014

By post or in person: Meyler House, St Thomas Green, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1QPBy phone: 01437 763688 or

01437 774703Freephone: 0800 854568Minicom: 01437 774768email: housing@pembs-ha.co.ukPembrokeshire Housing Online: Open all hours on www.pembs-ha.co.uk forinformation, ordering repairs or to pay rent.

Enclosed: Your personalised quarterlyrent statement with your newsletter. Ifyou have any problems with rentissues please contact your Area Officerwho will be pleased to assist.

There are many ways to contact us:

Options 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will take you straight through to your CustomerService Advisor, by pressing the area number you want on your key pad.Option 7 will take you straight through to the Finance Department for

you to make a rent payment.

Don’t forget we have new telephone options for ourcustomers when calling our office on 01437 763688 or

Freephone 0800 854568

We think local people shouldhave more chance of getting a newhome in our village community

Let brand new homes in rural villages, giving preference to local people.

It’s all about us listening to you and then acting upon itCan local people have more chance of a new home?