First Minister opens Prestatyn care scheme

Carwyn Jones, AM, First Minister for Wales was the guest of honour at the official opening of Nant y Mor, Prestatyn’s new extra care housing scheme. The £9.9m scheme was developed by Wales & West HA in partnership with Denbighshire County Council. The development has 59 self-contained apartments as well as a wide range of communal facilities, offering independent living with care and support for people aged 60 and over in Denbighshire. The First Minister said: ‘I am delighted to have been invited to mark the official opening of this fantastic new housing development... We have a growing elderly population in Wales and the housing requirements of older people vary considerably. A key aim of the Welsh Government is that schemes such as this allow people to live as independently for as long as possible. I am sure you will agree that Nant Y Mor will meet this objective and residents will have the comfort of knowing that support is on hand should they need it.’ The First Minister’s tour of the complex, which boasts 27 one-bed and 32 two-bed self-contained apartments, included a visit to Mrs Pam Barrow’s apartment. Ms Barrow said: ‘Before moving to Nant y Mor I lived alone in a bungalow. Now I can join in various things going on here when I want, still being able to come back to my apartment, close my own door and do what I want to do when I want to do it… I love my apartment.’

Around the Houses

December 2011

‘Around the Houses’ is published monthly to showcase the excellent work members are doing in a wide variety of different areas. If you

have any stories you’d like to include in the next edition, please send them to bethan-samuel@chcymru.org.uk. All stories

received will also be put up on CHC’s website.

Young Wales opens its foors at Tai Calon

A ground-breaking media skills project for young people was launched last month at Tai Calon’s Offices in Blaina. ‘Cre8’ is providing children who are not part of mainstream education with an opportunity to learn through experience in creative industries using the latest technology. Young Wales, a social enterprise, manages the project. Cre8 introduces young people to the world of media and is providing alternative education programmes for those aged 14 – 16 from Blaenau Gwent. Young Wales is working with Blaenau Gwent CBC’s Education Team. Nigel Young, Head of Behaviour Support & Individual Pupil Tuition Services at Blaenau Gwent LEA said, ‘At Blaenau Gwent we always aim to meet the needs of children on an individual basis – be this school, college or work experience. Young Wales’ programme is fulfilling a big role in the education provision. Cre8 gives a real outlet for 14 – 16 year olds with a creative talent to develop skills in a way that suits them, developing a talent through commercial experience that they just couldn’t get at school.’ Aran Knight, aged 16 from Abertillery said, ‘I enjoy working in the studio but prefer to behind the camera. I am interested in learning how to video edit and hope to become a trainer at Young Wales in the future and help other young people.’

Around the HousesDecember 2011Solas win £6000 to tackle anti-social behaviour

A Family Intervention Project has been granted £6,000 by NatWest’s Community Force Grant Scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour. ‘Lasting Solutions’ is dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour by providing workshops for children aged 8-12 within schools. The project is being run by Solas Cymru and Charter Housing. Lasting Solutions will help children understand how anti-social behaviour can have a damaging effect on the lives of individuals, families and the wider community in which they live and is designed to deter youngsters from becoming involved with such behaviour. The Community Force Scheme supports local charities and projects throughout England and Wales and winners are decided by public vote. Rhian Stone, Corporate Director at Solas said, ‘We are absolutely delighted that Lasting Solutions was one of three projects based in South East Wales which had the most votes for the NatWest Community Force Grant Scheme. Our evaluation shows that the project is delivering excellent results preventing our most vulnerable families from losing their homes due to anti-social behaviour and, at the same time, helping people back into training and employment. The £6,000 fund will enable us to provide workshops to children in schools to raise awareness of anti-social behaviour and its harmful consequences.’

St Mary’s Hostel prepares homeless packs

St Mary’s Homeless Hostel in Bangor, part of North Wales Housing, has begun to distribute winter packs to rough sleepers living in the area. As the winter months begin, the winter initiative supports homeless people with essentials to help them through the cold season. A typical pack includes a sleeping bag, roll mat, hot flask, tin opener, clothes and more. Up to 60 people access the service with several people collecting packs each day. St Mary’s works with other organisations including Bangor Cathedral who provide food vouchers to enable rough sleepers to get a hot meal from the local butchers. Also local Churches, businesses and charitable groups donate food and clothing to be distributed to those in need. With shortages of supplies a common concern year on year, the collection of leftover goods from 2011’s Wakestock festival has helped boost this year’s Winter packs which now include almost a full set of camping equipment.

A new home for Omar

The word ‘HOME’ may mean different things to each of us. To Omar Faraj, more than anything else it means ‘Safety’. Omar, aged 34, is a full UK citizen who lives in Preswylfa, a Supported Living Scheme in Wrexham managed by Clwyd Alyn HA, part of the Pennaf Housing Group. Omar is Kurdish and fled from Iraq seeking asylum in the UK eight years ago. He was granted Refugee Status and leave to stay by the UK Border Agency but to apply for a full UK Citizenship, Omar also had to pass the British Citizenship Test. After hours of hard work and practice with his Support Worker Katrina Solomon and other staff at Preswylfa, Omar passed the test. As a result he has not only been awarded UK Citizenship enabling him to apply for his UK Passport, but has also attended a ‘Citizenship Ceremony’ where the Mayor of Wrexham presented him with a Citizenship Medal. Omar moved to Preswylfa last November and his Support Worker, Katrina, praised Omar’s achievements: ‘He has worked incredibly hard and overcome many, many setbacks.’ Language and cultural knowledge are not the only hurdle that Omar has overcome in his years since leaving Iraq. Omar had a leg amputated and is still troubled by shrapnel wounds he received when working to clear landmines from the area where he lived. Fleeing Iraq and making his way overland to the UK was a heart-breaking decision for Omar, but he is sure he would not be alive today, had he remained in the country. ‘Here I feel safe,’ said Omar, ‘But now I want to feel free.’ Omar’s emotional and health issues may mean he still has a long journey ahead of him, but behind the gentleness with which he greets people there is a determination to overcome against all odds and all those who have supported him at Clwyd Alyn wish him every success in the future. Preswylfa is part of The Foyer Complex managed by Clwyd Alyn HA in Wrexham. The scheme offers specialist support for pregnant mums-to-be, or mothers with young children, on the ground floor with a further six separate places on the first floor for homeless people aged over 16.

Improving dementia services in Swansea

A £10,000 donation to a local charity will boost dementia services in Swansea. The Forget Me Not Dementia Day Club has been awarded £10,000 by Gwalia Housing Trust. These funds will provide more support, advice and activities for those who have been affected by dementia and will give the charity the opportunity to develop and introduce more dementia clubs across Swansea. David Moss, Secretary of Forget Me Not said, ‘We set up in Swansea just 12 months ago and already have three clubs up and running in Killay, Gorseinon and Mumbles, with new ones planned for Clydach and Morriston in the near future. This funding has dramatically helped our services and what we provide for our clients to make their lives as enjoyable as possible. We are so grateful for this donation, it will help us and the people we support for a better lifestyle.’ Eighteen couples with all types of dementia and their carers are supported by 70 volunteers who work for Forget Me Not. The clubs provide support and give couples the opportunity to integrate into the local community and share their experience with others whilst providing social stimulation and group interaction in a positive and informal environment. There are approximately 750,000 people in the UK with dementia and by 2021 there will be over a million people affected by this illness. Dementia is an area which is close to the Trust and its parent organisation, Gwalia’s values; Gwalia has developed specialist dementia services at Cwm Aur in Carmarthenshire and plans future developments in Llanelli and Swansea.

Supporting Powys Business Awards

Mid Wales Housing continues to support Powys based businesses, and the organisation recently sponsored the Social Enterprise/Charity Award. The winner of the Award was Beacon Creative who provide disadvantaged people with opportunities to contribute to a thriving business. They have also diversified into running a popular and successful café. The Association will continue to support Beacon Creative by donating funds it raises from social activities and events during the year.

Huw Lewis visits Hanbury Chapel

Huw Lewis, the Minister for Housing Regeneration and Heritage, has visited Hanbury Chapel - the most recent addition to the Bargoed regeneration project - to witness the results of a successful collaboration which not only saved an iconic town landmark built in 1906 but which also delivered a new community facility. Huw Lewis AM toured the building with representatives from United Welsh and Caerphilly County Borough Council and was shown a 21st Century library in action. The newly opened Chapel building comprises of a library, family history resource centre, teenage area, café and place of worship. This new facility has become a ‘learning hub’ for the whole community to utilise throughout the week. Hanbury Chapel is a completely unique project regenerating the look and feel of a town centre, regenerating facilities and bringing together old and new to inspire a community. Whilst at the library the Minister invited applications for the new round of CyMAL funding 2012-13; a stream of funding that was utilised to deliver the services within Hanbury Chapel. The Minister said; ‘The Hanbury Road project is an excellent example of the Welsh Government divisions working in partnership with local government services and a Housing Association to secure the future of one of our historic buildings. It has transformed the interior of the building into a dynamic and modern community facility which is at the heart of the regeneration of Bargoed.’ United Welsh has already delivered 28 new affordable sustainable homes at Upper Wood Street and redeveloped and utterly transformed Oldway House, the former Job Centre into a new health centre as part of their ongoing investment in the former mining town.

Around the HousesDecember 2011

Bryntirion’s Lisa is finished with wasting energy

After spending thousands of pounds over the years on high gas and electricity bills, Lisa from Bryntirion has changed her lifestyle after attending a training session with RCT Homes. In October, RCT Homes ran a series of ‘Save Energy, Save Money’ training sessions in Bryntirion as part of their ‘Sound as a Pound’ project which aims to tackle financial exclusion amongst some of Wales’ poorest communities. Lisa had been shelling out on high bills for years before realising her lifestyle could be adapted to tackle this financial burden. Lisa said, ‘Nobody wasted energy like me – on a sunny day I would use the tumble dryer. If it was warm then instead of turning the heating down I would just open a window. We would regularly have five TVs playing at the same time and I would leave a trail of electrical items and lights on as I went around the house… I have to recommend going on one of these courses with RCT Homes – it really made me think. RCT Homes gave me a free energy monitor to show how much my bills will be at the end of the month with all the electric being used and I have become addicted to trying to get it down! It helps that my home has had improvement work done to it as well. With the new windows the house stays warmer throughout the night – even after the heating has knocked off.’ The free training session includes advice on switching providers, meters, grants and discounts, insulation, thermostats and energy saving tips.

Hafan Cymru Christmas initiative

In the run up to Christmas, 25% of people will be doing the majority of their shopping online. As the recession continues to bite, many charities are finding it harder than ever to access funding to deliver support services in our communities. Hafan Cymru is appealing to online shoppers to get the most out of their money by raising much needed funds to support survivors of Domestic Abuse and their children across Wales and help educate future generations, simply by shopping online. Hafan Cymru has joined easyfundraising - an online gateway to over 2000 retailers. When supporters shop using the links on the easyfundraising site, Hafan Cymru receive a free donation of up to 15% of the purchase price. To support Hafan Cymru, visit: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/hafancymru

Cadarn and Accelero announce joint venture

The Cadarn Housing Group and Accelero Digital Solutions have announced a joint venture creating new job opportunities in south Wales. The Cadarn Housing Group, based in Cardiff, and Accelero Digital Solutions in Bridgend, have combined their expertise to form A&C Technologies, a new venture to take forward the SPriNT software solution for support and care organisations. The Cadarn Housing Group created the SPriNT software in 2005 with support from the Welsh Government when a gap in the market for software to record support and care work was recognised. SPriNT has had enormous success, particularly in Wales. Since demand for mobile technology is high, The Cadarn Housing Group approached Accelero Digital Solutions, one of the few companies in the UK working with the Anoto digital pen technology, to further their success. Accelero have created software that allows staff from support and care organisations to write documents using a digital pen. When back in the office the software will transfer the written text directly into a database. The Digital Pen and Paper technology allows organisations to improve efficiency by reducing time spent by staff typing data. Richard Troote, Director of Customer Services at A&C Technologies Ltd and Head of IT at The Cadarn Housing Group said, ‘As well as proving how a housing organisation can compete in the private sector and provide new job opportunities, this joint venture signifies a very exciting development for software in the support and care sector. We are looking forward to working with Accelero Digital Solutions in ensuring the support and care sector receives quality software solutions.’

Around the HousesDecember 2011