BLACKPOOL COASTAL HOUSING
VIEWPOINT
NEWSLETTER
SPRING EDITION 2015
Page 4
Page 7
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R
IMP
E
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O
H
YOUR
Pages 10 & 11
NEW
DEVELOPMENT
CHANGES
SKYLINE
NEIGHBOURHOOD
NEWS
Welcome to
the first edition of Viewpoint for 2015!
Spring is here and the lighter nights will soon be upon us; don’t forget to put your clocks forward one hour on 29th
March when British Summer Time officially begins.
Included within this edition is information from BCH departments along with events and opportunities for you to get
involved in your local community. Please get in touch if you have an idea for an article or would like to include
information on an upcoming event!
For those of you who haven’t visited our BCH website lately, why not take a look and register through ‘My BCH’? This
will allow you to view your account, tell us about any changes to your household, report a repair, send us messages and
much more! Go to www.bch.co.uk/my-bch and take a look – there are directions on this page to help you set up your
own individual account.
LEFTCOAST UPDATE
GRANGE PARK & ME RES IDE
COMMISS IONING GROUPS
As part of our projects on Grange Park and Mereside we’re creating a group for
each area who will be involved in decision making about which artists and
projects come and work in their area. The groups get together once a month to
talk about upcoming projects and opportunities – plus it’s a great chance to
meet some of the LeftCoast team.
Don’t forget if you haven’t got access to a computer or the internet at home, our BCH Hub at Coastal House offers free
internet access to enable you to apply for jobs, complete online benefit forms and much more!
To find the latest news and to keep up to date with BCH news and community events, why
not follow us on Twitter @bchblackpool or ‘like us’ at www.facebook.com/bchblackpool.
Best wishes,
The Involvement and Communications Team
Post:
Tel:
Email:
Coastal House, 17-19 Abingdon Street, Blackpool FY1 1DG
01253 477911
[email protected]
YOUR YVIEWPOINT
s
our V ie w
In the last edition of
Viewpoint we included the
‘Your Viewpoint, Your Views’ survey to find out what you
think of the magazine and to help make sure the
information we provide is relevant to you. Almost 90% of
those who responded rated Viewpoint as excellent or good
and over 95% agreed that they find the service pages and
community news stories interesting and relevant.
We’d like to thank the 263 customers who completed and
returned this survey – without your views we wouldn’t be
able to tailor the magazine to suit you. The lucky winner of
the free prize draw was Mr Burke who won £50 in high
street vouchers.
Well Done
2 GET INVOLVED
Not only that but the two groups will get the opportunity to ‘go see’ different
kinds of creative projects and shows around the country, receive training on
how to commission artists and find out how to use arts activity as a way to
shape the places in which they live.
Following last summer’s activities on Grange Park with ‘Squash Nutrition’ the focus for the
commissioning group in this area is food, planting and growing in creative ways. The Mereside commissioning group
are set to explore the green spaces on the estate following the Crocus Field project last year to see how creative commissions
and work with artists can enhance them.
Both the groups are open to anyone living or working in the area so this is a perfect chance for you to get involved in shaping
your area. For more information or to join either group contact Kerenza McClarnan on 01253 477973 or
email [email protected]
OTHER
WORLDS
FESTIVAL
KEEP IN THE
LEFTCOAST
LOOP!
Sounds Amazing!
Through the LeftCoast Future Popular funding scheme two Blackpool based artists
have created an exciting new festival that is bringing a totally new sound to town.
The Other Worlds Festival is an experimental sound and music festival taking place
10-12 April 2015 in several venues in Blackpool. Described as somewhere between
art and music the festival aims to give artists and musicians the space to
experiment, and for people to experience this audio art right on their doorstep.
If you want to keep up to
date with all the latest news
and information from
LeftCoast it couldn’t be
simpler: head to
www.leftcoast.org.uk and
register to get updates
straight to your inbox.
Alternatively call the team
on 01253 477973.
You can also:
Like us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/LeftCoastUK
Follow us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LeftCoastUK
With free and ticketed workshops, performances and seminars this is a Blackpool
first and an opportunity not to be missed! For more information about the Other
Worlds Festival visit www.otherworldsfestival.co.uk.
STAY INVOLVED 3
PROPERT Y SERVICES N EW S
PROPERTY S ERVICES NEWS
MEET T HE NEW
GAS SERVICING
e
c
i
v
r
e
S
f
o
s
d
a
e
H
LiKe the soUnd of £500?
if yoU want to win then Let Us in!
BCH need to complete a Gas Safety Check on all our properties each year to
ensure gas installations and pipework are maintained. Our Gas Contractor,
Read and Errington, carry out this important work on our behalf. As an incentive,
any customer who allows access for this check within an agreed timescale is
entered into a free prize draw to win £500! The recent lucky winner of last year’s
Gas Servicing Programme was Miss Walsh, who came into our head office,
Coastal House, to collect her cheque from Chief Executive John Donnellon and
Adam Errington from Read and Errington
The remainder of this year’s Gas Servicing Programme has been scheduled as follows:
Queens Park – until the beginning of April
Mereside – from 6th April until 1st June
South Shore – from 1st June until 15th July
To find out
when your next
Gas Safety Check
is due, contact our
BCH Repairs Hotline
on 0800 073
0184.
Improving
Our BCH Capital Works Team has been busy carrying out
kitchen and bathroom upgrades to homes throughout
Blackpool. The majority of the kitchen upgrades were
completed before Christmas and the programme, which is
scheduled to be completed by the end of May, will
transform approximately 50 bathrooms and 160 kitchens.
The team has received a number of compliments and
positive feedback on the work completed so far. Thank you
to all those who have given their feedback, this has been
passed on to the staff involved!
Electrical Inspe
ctions...
You've got to be in to win
Our electrical cont
ractor, Technical
and Electrical Se
the 5 year rolling
rvices Ltd, has al
programme of elec
most completed
trical condition in
the end of March
the first year of
spections. Once fin
, they will be mov
ished in the Bisp
in
g
onto Grange Park
inspections are im
ham area at
from April until 31
portant as they en
st March 2016. Th
sure electrical inst
are safe and fit fo
ese
allations within al
r purpose.
l BCH managed pr
oper ties
Technical and Elec
trical Services Lt
d will soon be arra
incentive, every cu
nging appointmen
stomer who keep
ts for this area an
s to the first appo
draw to win £500
d, as an
intment made will
!
be entered into a
free prize
4 GET INVOLVED
Following a robust recruitment exercise two new Heads of Service are now in position
and will be driving forward work on Asset Management and Operations. We caught up
with Jamie and Alex who gave us an insight into their background and what their roles
in the organisation will focus on.
Jamie Weston
a
ion and have worked in housing for
“I am a Building Surveyor by profess
nnie
Joh
at
s
management position
number of years. I have held various
prior to joining BCH, Adactus
and
sing
Johnson Housing, Calico Hou
al Authorities, Contractors and
Housing. I have also worked for Loc
r.
Commercial businesses as a Surveyo
(Assets & Proper ty Services) I will be
In my new role as Head of Service
ned maintenance programmes but
responsible for delivery of the plan
icing perspective. I am looking to
also ensuring compliance from a serv
erties in a well-maintained and safe
achieve not only keeping BCH prop
munities within Blackpool.
condition, but also regenerating com
rton FC and Lancashire County
In my spare time I like to watch Eve
cyclist and swimmer.”
Cricket Club. I am also a keen golfer,
Alex Orange
“I star ted my career as a trainee Bui
lding Surveyor and worked my way
up from there in different Housing
Associations/Local Authorities with
in
the Repairs departments. These incl
ude Plymouth City Council, Irwell
Valley, Shoreline Housing Par tnershi
p and First Choice Homes Oldham
.
As Head of Service (Operations & Cus
tomer Contact) I will be responsible
for responsive repairs, voids, the Hot
line call centre, Care & Repair,
adaptation installations and the kitc
hen and bathroom installation
programme. I am hoping to improve
the current empty homes
turnaround time, procure a new flee
t of vehicles and look at delivering
a
more customer focused approach.
In my spare time I like watching She
ffield Wednesday, going to the
cinema and dining out.”
STAY INVOLVED 5
Book donations
creates new library
SUPPORTED HOUSING NEWS
For those customers staying in our emergency accommodation, it can
be a very difficult time. With that in mind, our Emergency Housing Team
came up with an idea to create a communal library area to keep
residents occupied and help stop them feeling isolated. A plea went out
to all BCH staff and the Team were overwhelmed with the number of
unwanted books donated. These now have a new home and are being
enjoyed by residents.
ROGUE
Presents Galore at
TRADERS? Christmas Time!
KNOW YOUR
RIGHTS!
Whether it’s advice about your rights, a
dispute you need assistance with or to
report a scam or rogue trader, the
Trading Standards Advice Team are
there to help. They offer free, impartial
and expert advice to give you the facts
to enable you to deal with situations
confidently, or to stand your ground
against unscrupulous traders.
The Trading Standards Team recently
accompanied staff from the Sheltered
Housing Team on visits to provide
residents with information on the No
Cold Calling Scheme and window
stickers which, when displayed, informs
unsolicited callers to leave and not
return.
If you receive an unauthorised visit
please contact the Trading Standards
Team so that they can take action. The
Team can be contacted directly on
01253 478375 and the opening times
for telephone advice are:
Monday – Thursday 9am- 5pm
Friday 9am-4.30pm
Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm
Face-to-face advice is available by
appointment only; please call the Team
to make an appointment.
6 GET INVOLVED
our partnering contractors, local charities and agencies
brought Christmas cheer to every child residing in our
emergency housing accommodation over the festive period.
special thanks goes to Radio wave, st thomas’ Church,
Read and errington, st Mary’s Catholic academy and
Blackpool Care and share who ensured that every child
received a gift from santa in time for Christmas! Vouchers
and hampers
were also
received
providing
essential
items such
as food to
residents.
COMMUNIT Y SP IRIT
Before Christmas, the Emergency Housing Team was given the
opportunity to take part in Blackpool Asda’s ‘Community Life
Board’. The Community Life Board provides opportunities to
promote charities, display funds previously raised for good
causes and highlight forthcoming community events and
activities. The Team received £50 which will help to provide
essential items such as toiletries for single people and families
who have nothing when they come into BCH’s emergency
accommodation.
New Development
The first of almost 200 homes which will help
transform the Layton area of Blackpool are now
complete. The development will see the five 1960’s
tower blocks replaced by 198 new energy efficient but
affordable homes.
So far 14 homes have been
completed and the first new
tenants are now moving in with
the support of the BCH Lettings
Team. Beverley Jasper, who
used to live in one of the tower
blocks, exclaimed “It’s so
exciting!” as she received the
keys to her new home.
Changes
Skyline
Blackpool Council leader,
Cllr Simon Blackburn, who
represents Brunswick ward,
said, “The day on which the
first of these houses becomes
homes is a historic day for
Blackpool. The transformation
here is quite incredible and the
quality of them is the thing that
really stands out.”
Once complete, the development will be
made up of 108 two, three and four bedroom houses and 90 apartments,
60 of which have been specially designed to convert to 30 family homes at a later stage. 180 of the
homes will be managed by BCH and 18 of the properties will be for open market sale by Lovell.
A small number of the homes are still awaiting allocation; if you are interested in moving to one of these exceptional
properties, you can contact the Lettings Team on Tel: 01253 477047 or email: [email protected] for more
information. Applicants must have a local connection to the area and preference will be given to those in
employment including voluntary work (please contact a member of staff for more details).
IMPROVING
YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Over the past few months staff from BCH have been working with community members in the Bispham area to help
improve the local environment. Residents were invited to complete a short survey and join staff in a series of
walkabouts to identify possible improvements to the area. As a result of this consultation, the external lighting in
several of the alleyways leading to Stronsay Place and Portree Road is due to be improved. To help prevent fly
tipping, the area under a number of stairwells will also be sealed. Residents at Kilmory Place raised an issue with
vehicle access; it has been agreed that the corner of a junction is to be widened with low fencing to be installed to
prevent vehicles driving over the land.
Fly tipping has been identified as a concern throughout Grange Park and the Bispham areas. Working with local
residents, as well as BCH’s Green Warden volunteers, has identified hot spot areas and we are currently
implementing preventative measures to help stop this reoccurring.
STAY INVOLVED 7
CUS TOMER INVOLVEMEN T N EWS
CUS TOMER INVOLVEMENT NEWS
Blackpool Community
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PANELS
“we would like to thank all the winners, those that were highly
commended, and all of those who attended and helped to support
the event. we look forward to working with them again over the
next year to continue to improve our housing in Blackpool”.
Come along and get inv
olved in an area of the
organisation important
members to help us sh
to you! We’re looking for
ape and develop our se
new
rvice
s. TheBCh
place as follows:
Cyril
holland,
nextProperty
round services
of quardirector
terly meetings will take
safer neighbourhoods
Panel • Tuesday 12th
May, 2pm at Coastal Ho
new home Panel • Mo
use
nday 18th May, 2pm at
Coastal House
sheltered housing Pa
nel • Thursday 21st Ma
y, 2pm at Coastal Hous
Repairs Panel • Frida
e
y 22nd May, 2pm at Co
astal House
Money Matters Panel
• Tuesday 26th May, 2p
m at Coastal House
Property Panel • Wedn
esday 27th May, 2pm
at Coastal House
Get involved Panel • Fri
day 29th May, 2pm at
Coastal House
Heroes Awards
Each year we hold an Awards Ceremony to celebrate the
achievements of individuals and groups who have made
a positive contribution to their communities. This year the
awards have been organised in partnership with our
involved customers and will be held on Wednesday 25th
March; information on this year’s winners will be included
in the next edition of Viewpoint!
WE NE ED YOU!
NEW CUSTOMER DIRECTOR - BCH BOARD
At the beginning of December, the Customer
Director elections took place in order to appoint a
new tenant board member to Blackpool Coastal
Housing’s Board of Management. All Blackpool
Council tenants and leaseholders received a ballot
paper in November which also provided
information on the four customers standing for
election. Ballot papers were returned to TPAS, the
independent organisation responsible for
conducting the ballot. The votes were counted by
BCH staff and supervised by an Electoral Services
Officer from Blackpool Council.
Update
the results are as follows:
Candidate
Number of votes
GWEN KING
DAVID GREENWOOD
PATRICIA ROBINSON
ARTUR MROZOWSKI
336
126
301
100
After receiving the highest number of votes,
Gwen King was elected and officially welcomed
to the Board at the Annual General Meeting held
on 3rd December.
TOWER are now finalising their current scrutiny report on the empty
homes process. The findings were recently presented to the Senior Management
Team in February and are due to be discussed at the next Board meeting in March. The
team has just undergone a review and we are awaiting the findings – this will guide the
future direction of the team and the development of both scrutiny activities and team
members. The team are also looking ahead to our next area of investigation which is
likely to be the out of hours service; so if you have any comments you would like to
make on the service you have received, good or bad, then please contact us.
To get in touch with TOWER, or if you are interested in joining the team,
please call 01253 478249 and speak to our dedicated Council Officer Jo Parker.
Alternatively take a look on Twitter @towerscrutinybch or Facebook
www.facebook.com/towerscrutinybch. You can also email us at
[email protected]
8 GET INVOLVED
Developing
Communities...
The Tenants Project Fund supports projects that genuinely make a difference to
the lives of our customers and the neighbourhoods in which they live. The customer panel decides which
projects are most deserving of receiving funding. The deadline for large project applications recently
closed at the end of January and information on those successful will be included in the next edition.
Smaller Grants News
MOLYNEUX
DRIVE
FRIENDS AND
NEIGHBOURS
ASSOCIATION
Molyneux Drive Friends and
Neighbours Association requested
£335 to provide funding for a
Christmas Party for approximately
25 community members.
Queens Park Residents
Association received £265
QUEENS PARK
funding to purchase kitchen
RESIDENTS
equipment
for their Thursday
ASSOCIATION
evening soup kitchen including a
soup kettle, deep fat fryer and
crockery.
MELBOURNE,
BRISBANE
AND HOBART
TENENTS
ASSOCIATION
2015/
2016
FUND
Melbourne, Brisbane and Hobart
Tenants Association requested £500 to
purchase new Christmas decorations
for the Community Centre as well as
funding for raffle prizes at the
Christmas party.
A total of £52,000 has been allocated for the
2015/2016 Fund and the next large project
application deadline is Friday 28th August.
Applications requiring funding of £500 or less
can be submitted any time during the year.
Contact Phil Duhig, Grants and Communications
Officer for more information on 01253 477932 or
email [email protected].
Clifton Community Group received
£245 funding for a 1 day event where
CLIFTON
the RSPCA were on hand to offer free
COMMUNITY
micro-chipping, advice and goodie
GROUP
bags to attendees. The project aimed
to raise awareness of picking up pet
mess and provide relevant advice.
STAY INVOLVED 9
N EIGHBOURHOOD N EW S
CLEANER
COMMUNITIES
MERESIDE COMMUNIT Y
NET WORK IS 1 Y EAR OLD!
we all want our local neighbourhoods to be clean and safe and by
working together we can help to achieve this. dumping rubbish, littering
and causing damage to property through graffiti is an offence. as well
as making our neighbourhoods look unsightly, it:
Attracts crime.
Attracts rats, seagulls and other pests.
Harms and endangers people and animals.
Costs you thousands of pounds through increased taxes, rents and
service charges.
I Reduces the service we can provide to you due to resources being
diverted away from our core work.
I
I
I
I
How can you help?
HOW
CAN YOU HELP?
it’s simple – if it’s your rubbish, it’s your responsibility to dispose of it
correctly. By everyone following these easy steps we can help to ensure
our neighbourhoods remain a clean and safe place to live:
I Don’t put your bin bag out any earlier than 6pm before the day
of collection.
I Tie the top of any bin bags to prevent the contents spilling out onto
the pavement or street.
I If you live in flats serviced by bin chutes, do not put any large or
awkward shaped items such as pizza boxes in without tearing them
up first as they will block the chute.
I If you find the bin chute blocked, please call our Repairs Hotline to
report it on 0800 073 0184.
I Make sure items which aren’t picked up by the Waste Collection
Service are disposed of correctly by taking them to your local
recycling centre, arranging for them to be collected, or by using
Blackpool Council’s ROVER recycling service.
I Report any fly tipping to the Anti-Social Behaviour and
Neighbourhoods Team on 01253 477130/477277.
Local charity Helping Hand has teamed up with
Blackpool Council to create a free recycling
service for Blackpool residents. If you have any
unwanted items at home, whether they are in
working order or not, you can bring them to
ROVER. All items brought will be either
recycled or reused. Broken electrical items will
be made available to the Electrical Workshop
on Bristol Avenue where local people learn
new skills like PAT testing. Items that can be fixed, or that are in
working order, will be made available for
local charities to help distribute back to local
residents in need of support. Any items
that are brought to ROVER that cannot be
repaired or reused will be taken to our
Household Waste Recycling Centre where
it will be recycled. Find out when ROVER
will be in your area by calling Blackpool
Council on 01253 477477.
DOG FOULING Bag it and Bin it!
Please help support us to provide a healthy, clean and safe
environment by being a responsible dog owner. Anyone
letting a dog in their charge foul a public space is
committing an offence and can be issued with a fixed
penalty of £80. If this is not paid, you could face a fine of up
to £1000. If you want to report someone who is allowing
their dog foul, please contact Customer First on
01253 477477. All calls are dealt with in confidence and
your identity is never divulged to others.
10 GET INVOLVED
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
Dog Welfare
Officers can carry
out regular patrols of the
area, in order to deter, and
where necessary, prosecuting the dog owner. You can
also report incidents to the Grange Park Housing Office
who will investigate your complaint and liaise with the
Dog Welfare Officers.
Before your walk think… dog, Lead, Bags!
The Mereside Community Network has now been established for over 12 months to support community development
in the Mereside estate. BCH’s Community Development Officer, James Baker, has been working alongside Simon
Lawton from the Council for Voluntary Services to develop the network meetings. The network has connected over
30 different community groups and has worked to improve communication, develop new partnerships and
strengthen relationships. The purpose is to provide a fun and positive environment where information about local
activities can be shared and new connections can be made with each other. Here is just a small selection of
comments on the benefit of the Community Network:
“The Mereside Community Network has had a positive impact on the Clifton Neighbourhood Policing Team. It has
introduced us to different partners, and helped us build relationships within the community, and we have adopted
new ways to interact with the schools, local authorities and hard to reach members of the community. This has
helped us to provide a tailor made policing service for the estate which has helped us make Mereside Estate
a safer place.” PC Richard McKenna, Clifton & Marton, Police
“It is great to be able to link into the Mereside Community Network. Having the meetings allows us to network & also to highlight any area of
need and to see if any in the group could help. It also allows the various
groups to avoid duplication, therefore leading to more joined up thinking,
and that is in my opinion, is a huge benefit to the Mereside Community.
It also allows us to see what fantastic projects / events are in the area.”
dave Bannister , Chairman of Community Voice, Better start
If you are local to Mereside and you want to make a difference on the
estate and hear more about what is taking place, then look out for the next
meeting dates on the www.meresidenetwork.org.uk website. Or you can call
James for more information.
BUILDING THE COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM
The BCH Community Action Team are getting ready for a fantastic summer full of garden transformations and making massive
differences in estates around Blackpool. We are looking to build a great team of volunteers that can make a difference to the lives
of BCH residents and others from all over Blackpool!
There are four different CAT champion roles you can train to become:
I Project Leader – a volunteer who can make a great first impression, make a plan for the project and lead a team of volunteers
on the day.
I admin support – help manage the projects and work on-line using our web-based project management system from home.
I ambassador – help to make the important connections that bring the team together, coordinating volunteers and helping to
expand the reach of the team.
I Cat Volunteer – help by being one of the incredible volunteers who give 4 hours of their time on each project to get their hands
dirty and transform an overgrown garden.
What's in it for you?
I If you are looking for a job we can provide skills training, certificates for all the voluntary hours you work and write you a
reference for your next application.
I If you want to get to know new people this serves as a great way to meet people, have a laugh and work shoulder-to-shoulder
on a project together.
I If you want to up-skill your gardening then we provide training to show you how to operate top spec petrol power tools, how to use
basic hand-tools like a professional and learn how to maintain and take care of your own garden like a landscape gardener.
if you would like to join the team then complete a volunteer application form on our website www.bch.co.uk - go to ‘Get involved’
and look for ‘Community action team’. you can also email James at [email protected] or call 07825 733717
STAY INVOLVED 11
AN TI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR FOCUS
Notice seeking possession (secure tenants)
ENFORCEMENT
INFORMATION
As part of our ongoing commitment to
providing customers with high quality
services that represent excellent value for
money, we continually monitor our
performance. In partnership with the Safer
Neighbourhoods Improvement Panel, we
have agreed to provide quarterly information
on enforcement and the action we have
secured to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Here are the statistics from October to
December 2014.
Notice of proceedings pending (Introductory tenants)
Introductory tenancy probation period extended
1
3
Evictions
3
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts issued
0
Possession Orders suspended
Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions
ASB warning letters issued
Notice to quits served
Exploring the Myth
FACT
Just like the terms of a Tenancy Agreement, a lease
will state that you must not do anything within your flat,
building or estate that could cause a nuisance,
annoyance or damage to other residents. It is essential
that you, anyone living with you or visitors to your
home, respect your neighbour’s privacy and comfort
and that you do not cause noise or annoyance to others.
Nuisance may amount to a breach of clause in your
lease and action may be taken against you. In serious
cases, this means you could lose your home.
examples of nuisance are:
Loud and frequent playing of music, radio or television
Noisy parties
Other loud noise such as domestic cleaning, hammering & arguing
Harassment of neighbours
Uncontrolled animals
Blocking shared areas in the building or on the estate
here are a few tips on how you could control noise nuisance:
n Talk to your neighbour about whether any noises you make can be
heard in their homes
n Remember that speech can carry as much as other sounds,
especially at night
12 GET INVOLVED
1
Possession Orders granted
ASB AND LEASEHOLDERS
n
n
n
n
n
n
6
0
3
126
4
MYTH
Blackpool Victor
ia
Hospital seeks
Bla
ckpool Victoria hospital
has many opportunities
available
for people of all ages an
d skill sets who are willin
g to give
their time to volunteer. Vo
lunteers complete a ran
ge of jobs
within the hospital, from
welcoming people and sh
owing
them where different de
partments are, to helping
on the
wards by keeping patients
company, offering refres
hments
and ensuring both patie
nts and visitors have a mo
re
pleasurable experience.
New Volunteers
n For every shift comple
ted, volunteers are entitl
ed to a free
drink from Fraggles Café
n Meals within the can
teen are at discounted sta
ff rates
n Provides the opportu
nity to ‘give something ba
ck’.
If you are interested in vol
unteering or would like mo
re
information, you can call
Nicci on Tel: 01253 9579
04 or Email:
[email protected]
hs.uk. Volunteers must be
16 years
and over and you will be
inv
ited to an informal interv
n Full training programm
iew
to
dis
cus
s
the
opportunity in more detai
e and shadowing to ensur
l. Pre-employment checks
e knowledge will also
and confidence
be completed and these
will be paid for by the ho
n Experience of working
spital.
in a healthcare setting
n Meeting new people
Re
cen
tly,
sta
ff from BCH have visited
and gaining new skills wh
Blackpool Victoria Hospi
ilst
helping others
to find out more. They me
tal
t with a number of staff an
n Healthy Futures Certif
d
vol
un
wh
tee
o
gav
rs
e
gre
at insight into the importa
icate – a nationwide sch
eme which
nce of the voluntary
demonstrates when 100
ser
vic
e
wit
hin
the hospital. If you’re un
hours of voluntary servic
sure whether this
e has been opportunit
completed which can be
y is for you, you can contac
used alongside a referenc
t
Lyn
n Conifey, Tenancy
e.
n Great social events inc
Sustainment Officer, on
luding meals out, celebrat
Tel: 01253 477130 or Em
ion events
ail:
and organised walks
[email protected].
We are planning to take
n Roles can be adapted
sm
all groups of
potential volunteers to the
to suit the individual
hospital to meet the team
n Volunteers can claim
and find
ou
t
mo
re;
if
you’re interested in this gre
their out of pocket expen
ses such as
at opportunity then
bus fares
please get in touch!
What are the benefits?
“I own my flat –
you can’t tell me
what I can and
can’t do in my
own property”
n Keep music at acceptable levels, especially if you have
open windows
n Do not put stereos and radios against shared walls. If possible,
put them on carpet or rubber to help muffle the vibration/sound
n Turn all music down or use headphones
n If you have a dog, do not leave it constantly barking in your home
or out in the garden
n Do all your domestic cleaning or DIY activities at reasonable hours
of the day
A lease is a contract which means that if a leaseholder
breaches the terms of their lease, action can be taken
through the Courts. BCH have recently taken action against a
leaseholder for their unacceptable and anti-social
behaviour against other residents. Due to the violent
behaviour towards other residents, court action was taken
and an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) with a Power
of Arrest was granted by the Court. If, in the future, the
leaseholder breaches the ASBI then BCH will take the case
back to Court to seek forfeiture of their lease.
ALL 'JUMPERED' UP
On 12th December, BCH staff supported Save the
Children’s third annual Christmas Jumper Day by
wearing their woollies and donating their cash.
A total of £102 was raised which will be put
towards saving children’s lives, fighting for their
rights and helping them to fulfil their potential.
STAY INVOLVED 13
COMMUNIT Y N EW S
our toweR scrutiny team has sent in this crossword – why not have a
go? the answers will be printed in the next edition of the magazine!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
8
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
36
35
37
38
39
SOCIAL
SEVENOAKS
40
The Over 50’s Bingo and Social Club at
Sevenoaks recently had a day out to Boundary
Mill followed by Afternoon Tea at the Imperial
Hotel. As the photographs show, a fun time
was had by all! The group has
50 members but people are always
welcome, contact Mr Denby
on Tel: 864721 for more
information.
Get out in the fresh air, meet
new people and learn new skills
Across
4 Quiz or Test (4)
5 Look (3)
8 Abbreviation:
computerised
data (1,1)
10 Grateful (10)
14 Transmit
information
(11)
16 Opposite of Go
(4)
17 A company
Emblem (4)
18 This person
is always
right (8)
22 Suitable for
purpose (3)
24 Rolling stones
couldn’t get any
(12)
25 Abbreviated
data (4)
26 Think highly of
(5)
27 Card game for
one (8)
31 Well organised
(9)
36 The winner (8)
37 Make Better
(7)
38 Two or more
working
together (4)
39 Don’t get stuck
in one (3)
40 Beatles need
saving (4)
Down
1 Amend (5)
2 It takes less
muscles than a
frown (5)
3 "Work out at the
gym (5,2)
5 Start in tennis
(7)
6 Actively hear (6)
7 Tranquil (4)
9 You have two on
your face (4)
11 Offer a boost
and spur on
(13)
12 Clever (8)
13 All at once (8)
15 A car has one
every year (3)
19 ____and roll (4)
20 Glimmer (5)
21 Review (12)
23 Highest point
(3)
25 Sudden _____
Eastwood Film
(6)
28 Change (5)
29 Human Beings
(6)
30 Pub (3)
32 Flying from the
top of a pole (4)
33 Tall Building (5)
34 Opposite of
down (2)
35 A Make of Ford
(5)
kpool –
Come along to one of our sites in Blac
ther it’s flowers,
and plants you
s
seed
If you’re interested in gardening, whe
nt,
pme
equi
we’ll provide all the
what
just
be
d
coul
l
kpoo
Blac
Grow
es,
free!
fruits or vegetabl
need and best of all, it’s completely
le of all ages,
you’re looking for. It’s suitable for peop
way to meet new
experience and ability. It’s a great
Join us at a site near you:
ady making
alre
is
and
ds
frien
ment,
people, make new
Every Wednesday – Cherry Tree Allot
and where they live.
apply to
10am – 12pm
l.
kpoo
people feel better about their lives • Research, identify and
Blac
ton,
Mar
Cherry Tree Road,
trusts that may award a grant.– 3pm
g from preparing
and 1pm
We’ll help you learn from everythin • Provide an income maximisation
ment, Newton Drive,
right
uce,
prod
your
for
Every Thursday – David Slack Allot
g
carin
and
the ground, planting
check
budget busting
tips.l, FY3 8NU 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm
you’ve
es and
vegetabl
Blackpoo
through to harvesting the fruit and
• Make the income you have
grown yourself.
ork.org.uk.
work for you.
445 or email: adam.croft@groundw
To find out more, call Adam Croft
14 GET INVOLVED
on 01253 345
WHAT’S ON GUIDE
Bostonway Residents association
Open Meeting, Tuesday 17th
March, 10.30am at Bostonway
Community Centre.
Melbourne, Brisbane and
hobart tenants association
Open Meeting, Thursday 23rd
April, 6.30pm at Sevenoaks
Community Centre.
Munster avenue
tenants association
Open Meeting, Wednesday 11th
March, 1pm at Lowmoor
Community Centre.
Molyneux drive friends
and neighbours
Social Meeting every Wednesday,
10am-12pm, at Molyneux
Community Centre
Open Meeting, 1st Wednesday of
each month, 10am at Molyneux
Community Centre
Fun Bingo every Saturday,
7pm-9pm, at Molyneux
Community Centre.
BCh Board
If you would like to observe at
this meeting please contact
Samantha Fowler on
01253 477988.
sevenoaks Community Centre
over 50’s Club
Bingo, every Monday, Wednesday
and Friday, 1.30pm-4pm,
Hobart Place, Thornton-Cleveleys.
Clifton Community Group
Public Meeting, Monday 13th
April, 6pm at Tarnside
Community Centre. Tel: 766056
or email cliftoncommunitygroup
@yahoo.com for further
information.
Revoe-lution Community Choir
Wednesdays 7pm-9pm at
Christ Church with All Saints,
Palatine Road.
Knit and natter
Every other Thursday, 2pm at
Kilmory Community Centre.
Call Carrol on 864798 for
more information.
Card Making
Every Friday between 1pm
and 3pm at Kincraig
Community Centre, Bispham.
Call Jean on 592450
stronsay scribblers
Creative writing and poetry every
other Monday, 12pm-2pm at
Stronsay Community Centre,
Bispham. Call Jean on 592450
for more information.
Police and
Communities together
Greenland PACT meetings – held
1st Thursday of the month at
Springfield Methodist Community
Centre, Bispham Road from
6.30pm-7.30pm.
Meetings take place in other local
areas on a regular basis; for more
information look out for posters
advertising meetings in nearby
shops, offices, Doctors Surgeries
and Community Centres.
RECIPE: SAUSAGE AND BEAN STEW
serves: 4 adults
Preparation time:
10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
you will need:
• 2 reduced fat sausages
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion finely
chopped
• 2 garlic cloves peeled
and chopped
• 400g chopped tomatoes
• 410g cannellini beans in
water drained
• 100g potatoes peeled
and cubed
• 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 pinch ground
black pepper
This easy stew is a winning combination of healthy and
filling ingredients. A super spring stew!
how to make:
1. Preheat the grill. Grill the sausages for 8-10 minutes, turning
occasionally, until they're thoroughly cooked.
2. While the sausages are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large
saucepan and gently fry the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes or passata, cannellini beans or butter
beans, potatoes and basil or mixed herbs. Simmer for 15-20
minutes until the potatoes are tender.
3. Slice the sausages and add them to the saucepan. Stir and cook for
another 2-3 minutes.
tip 1: Cut the cubes of potato quite small, so that they cook quicker.
tip 2: Try adding chopped courgettes or other veg with the potato to get more of your 5 a day.
nutritional information per portion:
229 calories, 12g protein, 33g carbohydrate, 6.5g fat of which 2g saturates, 5.8g dietary fibre,
415mg sodium, 1g salt.
Suitable for freezing
STAY INVOLVED 15
BLACKPOOL COASTAL HOUSING
READING VIEWPOINT
Blackpool Coastal housing believes in access for all. to ensure the services provided by Blackpool Coastal housing
are accessible, information can be made available in a variety of formats and languages.
for more information about these services please telephone 01253 477900 or email [email protected]
spółdzielnia Mieszkaniowa Blackpool Coastal
housing uznaje, iż świadczone przez nią usługi
powinny być ogólnodostępne, zatem informacje na
ich temat udostępniane są w różnych
formatach i wersjach językowych.
w celu uzyskania szczegółowych informacji na temat
świadczonych usług, proszę zadzwonić pod numer 01253
477900 lub wysłać e-mail na adres [email protected].
en Blackpool Coastal housing creemos que la
información debe estar al alcance de todos. Para
asegurar que los servicios de Blackpool Coastal
housing son accesibles podemos ofrecer
información en diversos formatos e idiomas.
Para saber más sobre estos servicios, póngase
en contacto con nosotros en el teléfono
01253 477900 o por email [email protected]
Blackpool Coastal Housing 公司相信每個人都有存取的權利。為確保
能使用
Blackpool Coastal Housing 公司的服務，資訊會以多種格式和語言提供。
有關這些服務的詳情資訊，請致電 01253 477900，
，或傳送電子郵件至 [email protected]
USEFUL CONTACTS
Blackpool Coastal housing
Head Office: Coastal House,
17-19 Abingdon Street, Blackpool FY1 1DG
Tel: 01253 477900
Email: [email protected]
MyhomeChoice fylde Coast
Coastal House, 17-19 Abingdon Street,
Blackpool FY1 1DG
Tel: 01253 476111
www.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk
the Rents team
Tel: 01253 477942 Text 07501 921015
Email: [email protected]
anti-social Behaviour and
neighbourhood services
Tel: 01253 477130
Email: [email protected] for
Neighbourhood Services or [email protected]
for the ASB Service
out of hours asB Reporting
Tel: 0800 0730184
Repairs hotline
Tel: 0800 073 0184
Email: [email protected] Text ‘Repairs’
to 07786 201409
Customer involvement
Tel: 01253 477911
Email: [email protected]
homeownership
Tel: 01253 477984
Email: [email protected]
supported housing
Tel: 01253 477898
Email: [email protected]
Customer first Centre
Municipal Buildings, Corporation Street,
Blackpool FY1 1NF
Tel: 01253 477477
Email: [email protected]
trading standards advice team
Tel: 01253 478375
Email [email protected]
housing Benefit
Tel: 01253 478847
Email: [email protected]
social services direct
Tel: 01253 477592
Email [email protected]
age UK
89 Abingdon Street, Blackpool FY1 1TH
Tel: 01253 622812
Citizens advice Bureau
6-10 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY1 9AQ
Tel: 01253 308400
Carers Line
Tel: 0808 808 7777
avonline
Tel: 0845 11 11 855
Blackpool Carers
Tel: 01253 393748
www.blackpoolcarers.org
Blackpool Police
Tel: 101 (Non emergency)
nhs
Tel: 111 (Non emergency)
free fire safety advice
Tel: 0800 1691125 (Non emergency)
Lancashire Crimestoppers
Tel: 0800 555 111
national Grid
Tel: 0800 111 999 (FOR GAS LEAKS)
United Utilities
Tel: 0800 330 033 (FOR MAINS
WATER LEAKS)
Race hate awareness and Prevention (RhaP)
Tel: 0808 8087398
Broken Rainbow
(LGBt domestic Violence helpline)
Tel: 08452 604460
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk