Art250 unitysummer14

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UNIVERSAL POINTING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

CREDIT

Issue 20 | Summer 2014

PluS Dane GrouP reSIDentS’ maGazIne

Find us on... /plusdanegroup

UNIVERSAL CREDIT PULL-OUT INSIDE THIS ISSUE....

WW

W.N

E IGHBO U R H O O D I N VESTOR. C

OM

COMING SOON!

NEW WEBSITE

Plus Dane UNiTY | 02

automated PaymentsDid you know that you can now make rent payments automatically over the phone via our 24 hour automated service?When you call our main customer access team numbers you will now be able to pay your rent via this service by choosing the automated payments option. The service, which is already proving a success, is another way we have been expanding the range of options available to you.

This will allow you to use digital TV, iPad, smartphone or even a Nintendo Wii to contact us at the touch of a button on anything from reporting repairs to accessing national services such as Universal Jobmatch and Universal Credit through the Department for Work and Pensions. These services will also be available through a free App called ‘My Landlord’ on smartphones.

This is due to be launched later this year. Staff will be able to help you download the free App and ensure you can access the services that are available to you.

Coming soon will be a range of new ways to access our services through a new feature called Looking Local.

thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our unitY readers’ survey in the last issue. Your feedback is really important in helping us to improvethe magazine.

We had hundreds of responses, with the majority of you telling us that you value UNiTY as a way of keeping up-to-date with Plus Dane Group news and enjoy reading about what’s happening in different neighbourhoods.

A key question we asked was how you would like to receive UNiTY in the future and whether you would like to continue to receive a printed magazine, or prefer to access it online through our website.

This is part of our commitment to developing our online offering, and in addition reducing the costs of producing printed materials where possible.

If you would like to keep on receiving a copy of UNiTY through the post, we would like you to let us know by returning the form included with this issue in the Freepost envelope provided.

If you OPT IN this way, we will keep you on our mailing list for the printed magazine and nothing will change.

If we do not hear from you this way in the coming months, we will stop posting UNiTY to your home in the new year. However, you will be able to access an online version on our website any time at www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com.

Congratulations to Barry Alpha Dumar from Liverpool, who was the lucky winner of our readers’ survey £100 prize draw.

the future of unitYWould you rather read online? Let us know...

LOOKINGLOCAL!

Linda Minnis, ChairPlus Dane Group

hello and welcome to our Summer edition of UNiTY.

Over the last few months there have been some changes at Plus Dane Group. Many of you will know that Ken Perry stood down as Chief Executive at the end of May, following which we began a recruitment process to find his replacement. After a national recruitment drive involving Linda as Chair, members of the Board and Des as tenant representative on behalf of the Tenants Together Forum, we were delighted in July to announce Barbara Spicer as our new Chief Executive.

Barbara joins us from the Skills Funding Agency where she is Chief Executive and will take up post in September. Prior to her role with the Skills Funding Agency Barbara was Chief Executive of

Salford Council for eight years.

Barbara’s vision, values, experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable in delivering the Group’s future goals and aspirations and continuing our commitment to transforming neighbourhoods and creating choice and opportunities for our customers. We are delighted to welcome her to the team.

COMING SOON!NEW WEBSITEWe have been working with customers to develop a new Plus Dane Group website which will be launched later this year.

The new site will be accessible on any device and will have a very different look and feel. It will be much more interactive with features including postcode search for services, improvements to your home and events including booking onto events that you want to attend, allowing you to self-serve to find the information you are looking for easily.

There will be more up to date information about the services we offer as well our latest news and you will continue to be able to pay your rent and report repairs and antisocial behaviour as well as apply for jobs with us through an online form.

Look out for further details about the launch coming soon!

www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com


Des Finlay, ChairTenants Together Forum

Barbara Spicer

A Plus Dane tenant has taken advantage of two of our services to help her business grow.Anne Ankers, from the Dingle area of Liverpool, set up Grace Harbour Natural Therapies three years ago.

She is based in Lark Lane police station on Fridays and Sundays and has just started working from the Black-E in Liverpool city centre on Monday evenings, Tuesday and Thursdays.

Grace Harbour Natural Therapies recently signed up to Plus Dane’s Making Business Work programme, a European Regional Development Fund initiative which offers free business support to small companies and entrepreneurs in Merseyside looking for advice and assistance to further develop their ambitions.

Anne, mum to 16-year-old Molly, has been a holistic therapist for six years, motivating herself to take every opportunity to further her career with extra training and qualifications enabling her to offer more services to clients.

Specialising in massage, reflexology and aromatherapy, Anne is qualified to run group aromatherapy courses - her workshop - Lotions, Potions and Emotions - teaches all about essential oils and their effects, hand massage and relaxation techniques. The workshops are suitable for community organisations, parties, or any group looking for an activity that is a little bit different.

“I love aromatherapy, oils, their scents and how they affect the mood and the many physiological therapeutic effects. Keeping everything natural is my aim,” says Anne, who has sourced all her own products and makes tailor-made gift packs.Later this year Anne has secured Plus Dane’s Move On funding to train in sports therapy and has already begun some beauty training to be able to offer packages to all kinds of clients from those with sports injuries to people who just fancy a bit of pampering. Making Business Work offers 12 hours of expert business support to growing companies and this has helped Grace Harbour establish a social media presence.

Grace Harbour Natural Therapies offers a 48 hour call back service on 07776 135 563 and you can follow her on Twitter @gracetherapies or like the Grace Harbour Natural Therapies Facebook page for updates and promotions.

Natural TherapiesGrace Harbour Engaging young

people through sport in AnfieldSpecial guests including three quarters of British champion boxing family the Smith brothers attended the official opening of the Anfield Amateur Boxing Gym back in April.

The club is dedicated to engaging young people through sport, especially those at risk of exclusion, and is accredited by the Amateur Boxing Association. The gym features a boxing ring, a variety of punching bags and an interactive ‘powerwall’ of light panels designed to improve hand-eye co-ordination and speed.

Plus Dane was among the partner organisations helping to get the project off the ground. The group donated £300 of paint and supported the club through former youth engagement officer Lesley Dixon, who previously sat on its board and helped to secure funding, shape the business plan and get the new gym up and running.

The club continues to work with young people in neighbourhoods across Merseyside and Cheshire and has delivered sessions in Bromley Farm.

10% discount For more information on treatments and prices visit www.graceharbour.co.ukfor Plus Dane tenants


Win up to £100!

Send in a photograph or two of your entry and we will then visit the best to decide on our winners.

We would love to hear from you whether you have a garden full of colour or just a lovely hanging basket or pot which you have enjoyed planting.

We have prizes in the following categories:•Best Garden•Best Communal

Garden•Best Hanging Basket or Container

green fingers Competition 2014

Post your photos to Caron Gore Rees or Gill Haynesat our Civic Way office or you can email them to us at [email protected] or upload to our facebook page.

Closing dateFriday 19 September 2014We look forward to seeing all your efforts - good luck!

Macaroni cheese with secret veggiesServes: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

It’s easier than you think to hide vegetables in this family favourite pasta dish - they’ll never know…

Ingredients25g/1oz butter25g/1oz plain white flour568ml/1pt milk100g/3 ½ oz hard cheese250g/9oz mixed cooked vegetables - choose white, orange and yellow vegetables like butternut squash,onions, carrots, parsnips and celery

300g/10 ½ oz uncooked pasta - macaroni or penne shapes work best

Method1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.2. Grate the cheese. Chop the cooked vegetables finely.3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute.4. Gradually add the milk, whisking all the time to prevent lumps

from forming. Cook the sauce on a medium heat so that it is just boiling, stirring continuously, for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

5. Stir in 70g/2 ½ oz of the cheese and allow it to melt into the

sauce. Allow the sauce to cool a little, then transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Add the

finely chopped cooked vegetables and process until the sauce is smooth and the vegetables have disappeared!

6. Cook the pasta in boiling water according to the packet instructions, and drain it. Mix the pasta and sauce together, and

transfer to a large shallow oven-proof dish. Top with the rest

of the cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and

golden.

For extra flavour - Add a teaspoon of tomato puree or mustard to thecheese sauce.


Have you got a recipe youwould like to share? Email your recipe to us at [email protected]

Home away from homePlus Dane and Cheshire East Council’s Fostering Service have worked together to open a new respite house in Congleton designed to offer short breaks for children with disabilities and complex health issues.

Specialist carer Jenny Goodwin has had her own home converted to be fit for purpose. She said: “This is a wonderful home from home environment which will be of huge benefit to the children, as well as providing respite and peace of

mind to the parents whose children have such complex needs.”

Sharon Smith, Support Services Manager at Plus Dane, said: “When we met Jenny and discussed what she wanted to do, we were very keen to help.

“We immediately saw a fantastic opportunity to provide bespoke facilities for a client group with very specific needs, who up to now have had to travel out of the county for specialist respite care.”

Pinehurst clean & greenPinehurst residents Billy Marrat and Dave Nisbit, with the support of local councillors and the police, organised a clean and green event in Liverpool’s Pinehurst neighbourhood in Anfield this summer.

Everyone joined in to make hanging baskets and planters to brighten up the area, which were provided

by Plus Dane. Community skips were also available throughout the day for local residents to use.

The Big Apple Van put in an appearance offering good quality fresh fruit and vegetables at very reasonable prices and will now be a regular feature on Pinehurst Road every Tuesday at 1pm.

YOUR STORIES


Billy said: “It was a great day, everyone rolled up their sleeves and joined in. I liked the idea of us all working together, everyone enjoyed it.”

Streets Alive successThe annual Streets Alive summer events took place across neighbourhoods in Cheshire. Teams of housing officers and repairs staff were on hand at chosen streets and sheltered schemes across Congleton and Alsager to make hanging baskets and plant pots for residents, or encourage people to make their own to take away.

Strawberry and tomato plants were available as well as floral arrangements to help brighten up communities for summer, and dozens of residents took part in each event.

Residents’ DIY Academy

Runcorn’s two successful reading groups have merged into one. The groups were set up last year by Clare Ellis of the Reader Organisation and were immediately a big hit with residents and clients who took part. Clare recently finished her time as Plus Dane’s reader-in-residence and now support worker Siobhan Kent is running weekly sessions for the new group.

To celebrate the change she decided to hold a ‘picnic in the park’ to give attendees a chance to meet up and get together.

Siobhan’s group runs every Tuesday at Castlefields Community Centre from 2pm to 3pm.

For more information, contact Siobhan on 01928 706 831 or email [email protected].

New Runcorn reading groupall

welcome to attend!


The DIY Academy was a successful one-day course for Plus Dane tenants with sessions held in Congleton and Liverpool.

The aim was to enable customers with little or no previous experience to work with a range of tools used in simple, common DIY tasks, enabling them to tackle a range of repairs and home improvements without needing to wait for a repair person to come round. Attendees also got DIY goodiesto take home.

The courses were jointlyorganised by Plus Dane’s property management and engagement teams in Cheshire and Merseyside and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who said they would like to see more sessions in future.

If you live in Ellesmere Port and are planning to purchase a new electric cooker we would like to hear from you. Problems occur where private companies selling and fitting new electric cookers fail to connect the new appliance. Customers paying for this service are often left without a working cooker, where the reconnection is no more than a very simple job.

Tenants making their own arrangements to install a new cooker should contact Plus Dane beforehand. The repairs team can organise a visit to a customer’s property before a cooker is disconnected to ensure that no extra work is required.

The repairs service should be contacted as early as possible ideally before the new cooker is ordered to ensure that it can be connected without delay.

Please contact the Customer Access Team on 0800 169 2988 / 0300 123 4560.

Fitting a New Electric Cooker?

Lee Doughty was awarded with the accolade at a special ceremony at Edge Hill University as part of its Students’ Union Awards Week.

Lee’s work with Plus Dane as a youth board member and welfare reform champion impressed the judging panel. The panel commented that it was “an outstanding nomination” and that he “certainly goes the extra mile”.

“I didn’t think I was going to win so I was shocked but delighted,” said 20-year-old Lee, who studies film and TV production at the university travelling two hours to get there and back for lectures.

Lee has volunteered with Plus Dane for five years and

has enjoyed it so much he kept on doing so after moving house with a different housing association. “Plus Dane has done so much for me I just love to help out,” he says.

Through Plus Dane Lee secured a higher education bursary worth £2,000 over the three years of his studies to help pay for a laptop computer and cover travel costs.

As a youth shadow board member he has played a role in helping to organise events over the years like the annual Congleton raft race, the Harlow Street photography project in Park Road, the youth champion awards in 2011 and newer engagement activities in the Toxteth area such as the environmental rangers and the Henge project.

Youth shadow board member wins volunteer of the year award

Judges say “outstanding,

Lee goes the extra mile.”


The Youth Shadow Board is always looking for new members, if you’re interested in finding out more email [email protected].

UNIVERSALCREDIT

DAY

UNIVERSAL

YES

NO

DO YOU HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT?

DO YOU HAVE INTERNET ACCESS?

www.gov.uk

APPLY ONLINE

POST

POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT

POINTING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

CREDIT UNIONJAM JAR ACCOUNT

FOO

D

BILL

S

REN

T

Payment methods you can access

MAKE SURE YOUR ACCOUNT WILL ACCEPT UNIVERSAL CREDIT PAYMENTS

YOUR FIRST PAYMENT WILL BE MADE ONE CALENDAR MONTH AND 7 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF YOUR CLAIM THEN EACH CALENDARMONTH AFTER THAT

YES

NO

CREDITPAY A LITTLE EXTRA INTO YOUR RENT ACCOUNT EACH WEEK NOW, SO YOU AVOID ARREARS WHEN YOU MOVE TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT

YOUR RENT WILL NO

LONGER BEPAID DIRECT

TO US

START

Need some help understanding UNIVERSAL CREDIT or want some more advice?0800 169 2988 (FREE FROM MOST UK LANDLINES)

0300 123 4560 (LOCAL RATE FROM A MOBILE PHONE)

BASIC CURRENTACCOUNT

Places with internet access

PLUS DANEOFFICES

JOB CENTRES LIBRARIESCOUNCIL

OFFICES

YOU WILL NEED AN EMAILADDRESS WE CAN HELP YOU SET ONE UP

@

ONCE YOU HAVEBEEN INFORMED THAT

YOU WILL BE RECEIVINGUNIVERSAL CREDIT

CONTACT US TO ARRANGE PAYMENT

OF YOUR RENT

END

GET READY!

top tips to be prepared Make sure you have an account that will accept Universal Credit payments.

• If you are able to, consider paying a little extra rent into your rent account each week now, so that when you move onto Universal Credit and are paid monthly in arrears, there is a ‘buffer’ on your account to help you avoid going into arrears. If you would like to find out more about this contact our income team by calling our main customer numbers included on the back page of UNiTY.

• To help us prepare for Universal

Credit we are continually updating the information we hold about customers.

If you’re in contact with Plus Dane staff and are asked to provide us with additional details, it’s important

that you provide us with any details requested so that we can best help you through this process.

Getting online If you’re worried about claiming Universal Credit online, there are plenty of places where you can access the internet in your community, you don’t need to have a computer at home, and there is also lots of free help available to help you learn the skills you need to make the most of the internet.

There are kiosks available at your local Plus Dane office where you can get online. You will find kiosks available at:

Many areas also have Job centre Digital Champions who can assist you with making benefit claims and searching for jobs online so call into your local Job Centre to see what support you could receive there.You can also get connected through the Post Office where counter staff can tell you the nearest place you can access the internet to your home.

If you would like help and advice on how to access free training to learn more about getting online, call our Customer Access Team for more information.

Park Road 172 Park RoadL8 6SJ

Rialto Buildings90-94 Upper Parliament St L8 7SY

Jackson House Second AvenueRuncorn, WA7 2PD

Shepherds Mill Worrall Street CongletonCW12 1DT

7-9 Civic Way Ellesmere PortCH65 0AX

There are also public computer facilities available at Neston Library where Plus Dane’s Housing Officer for the area is based. You can find us at:

Neston Library Parkgate Road NestonCH64 6QE

Managing your incomeThis budget sheet can help you understand your money and what needs to be paid first.

Weekly Income £ Weekly expenditure £

RentCouncil taxTV LicenceCourt fines/orders

HP paymentsBenefit overpayments

ElectricityGasCoal/Bottled GasWaterFood/house keeping

ClothingPapers/magazinesCigarettes/AlcoholAppliance rentalChild careSchool meals/tripsNappies/baby itemsPocket moneyPrescriptionsOther health costsTelephoneMobileSky/internetCar running costsBus/taxi faresPet CostsLoans

TOTAL £EXPENDITURE

Your wagesPartners wagesRegular overtime/bonus

Housing benefitCouncil tax benefit Child benefitTax creditsD L A / A A State pensionPension credit Occupational pension

JSA / ESA / IS

Other income

TOTAL £ INCOME Savings (if any)

List your loans below

managing your paymentsUniversal Credit will be paid once a month into an account that you choose as a single monthly payment. Your first payment date will be made one calendar month and seven days after the date of your claim - then each calendar month after that.

This means that to receive Universal Credit you must have one of the following accounts:

Post Office card account This can be accessed at a Post Office during opening hours and does not allow direct debits or standing orders to pay bills.

Basic Bank account This allows you to have many of the same features as a current account without going overdrawn.

Credit Union Jam Jar account Also known as a budgeting account, this divides your money into several pots so that you can keep your spending money separate from money to pay bills. It often has a monthly fee.

Current account This could be with either a bank or a building society. It has more facilities but normally needs you to pass a credit check to open one. You can become overdrawn and face fees with this type of account.

There are pros and cons to each of these options so get advice to help you choose the right account for you.

Managing your incomeThis budget sheet can help you understand your money and what needs to be paid first.

Getting ready for universal CreditThis issue of UNiTY focuses on a big change that is being introduced by the Government to the way that benefits are paid.

Overleaf you will find a pull-out infographic which explains the stages that you will need to follow to prepare for Universal Credit.

An infographic is a more visual way of presenting information quickly and more clearly and we hope you find it useful.

What is universal Credit? Universal Credit must be applied for online and will be paid once a month into a suitable account that you have chosen.

If you are already on benefits, the Government will write to you to tell you when you’ll be moved on to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit will replace:• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit

If you claim any of these benefits, Universal Credit will apply to you.

Universal Credit has been introduced in some areas of the North West already for new claims for single people and couples with no dependents.


If antisocial behaviour is affecting you, remember there is no need to suffer in silence. Customers can report ASB by calling 0800 169 2988 any time day or night, by filling out an online form on our website www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com (via the ‘contact us’ page), emailing [email protected] or in person by calling into any of our offices.

Two men were each arrested in unrelated incidents in Liverpool and Runcorn last year and have now been evicted from their properties. In both cases it was difficult to believe that the tenants were growing cannabis solely for their own personal use. The men were not prosecuted for supplying, pleading guilty instead at the magistrates court to lesser offences. But the team says their work sends a message that as civil courts require a lower burden of proof, Plus Dane will still pursue tenants when evidence suggests that on the balance of probabilities tenants are involved in the supply of drugs to local communities.

This means that even though in one of these cases where no drugs were found but the electricity meter had been bypassed and the remnants of a cannabis factory was there,

the court accepted Plus Dane’s evidence that the tenant was involved in supply. Neighbourhood Officer, Steven Horton, said: “It is imperative that Plus Dane takes firm action against anybody who is looking to be involved in problems that blight communities.” In another case, a man who continually breached an ASB Injunction relating to a Plus Dane sheltered scheme was jailed for24 weeks. The Community Safety Team obtained an ASBI against the man in June last year after complaints that he would repeatedly turn up at the scheme, the home of a relative, and threaten residents. He went on to breach the injunction 23 times in nine months and was jailed after the team’s third application for committal.

The ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014 received Royal Assent in March. The Home Office states that the Act “will introduce simpler, more effective powers to tackle ASB that provide better protection for victims and communities.”

The new community trigger and

community remedy will empower victims and communities giving them a greater say in how agencies respond to complaints of ASB and in out of court sanctions for offenders.” Plus Dane’s Community Safety Team has established a task and finish group that is working across the

Group to identify the implications of the new Act and review our policies and procedures. The group is led by Nicola Andrews, Neighbourhood Investment Manager and has members from Merseyside, Cheshire and Ellesmere Port. Further updates will be available in future Unity editions and on the website.

12 acceptable Behaviour Contracts

21 antisocial Behaviour Injunctions

7neighbourhood agreements

6 notice of Seeking Possessions

4 Possession orders and 4 Postponed Possession orders

5 Power of arrest and 59 warning letters

Changes to the anti Social Behaviour (aSB) act

If you would like to discuss the Act further please contact Nicola at [email protected]

The Community Safety Team has been in court recently with two cases where cannabis was being cultivated in homes.

Community Safety team in actionThe Community Safety Team has been in court recently with two cases where cannabis was being cultivated in homes.

If antisocial behaviour is affecting you, remember there is no need to suffer in silence. Customers can report ASB by calling 0800 169 2988 any time day or night, by filling out an online form on our website www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com (via the ‘contact us’ page), emailing [email protected] or in person by calling into any of our offices.


Credit union

Central LiverpoolTel: 0151 708 5515email: [email protected]

www.centralcu.co.uk

Credit union


What are Credit unions?Credit Unions are non-profit organisations set up by members with something in common to benefit their community.

That common factor may be living in the same town, working in the same industry, or belonging to a particular trade union.

Members pool their savings to provide each other with credit at a low interest rate. To be part of a credit union you have to share a common bond with other members such as:

• Living or working in the same area• Working for the same employer• Belonging to the same

church, trade union or other association.

What do Credit unions offer?Credit Unions offer similar services to banks but operate in a different way.

There are now around 500 credit unions in the UK which primarily offer savings and loans to their members, though many now offer current accounts and a few even offer mortgages. Services offered vary but they include:

• Mutual and ethical savings• Affordable loans• Banking services• Financial education and access to money advice• Insurance products

over 1m people are using Credit unions

Where can I find a credit union near me? There are currently 11 credit unions operating in neighbourhoods where Plus Dane customers can access them. The services offered vary depending on the size of the membership.

If you’re struggling to find the right account with a bank or building society, credit unions could be an alternative.

They can also be a more affordable alternative to doorstep lending and pay day loans which charge extremely high interest rates.

Lodge Lane and DistrictTel: 0151 734 2561email: [email protected]

www.lodgelanecu.org.uk

HalewoodTel: 0151 486 6104

HaltonTel: 0151 257 8753 / 01928 790 571email: [email protected]

www.haltoncu.co.uk

The WirralTel: 0151 638 4332 (Wallasey)Tel: 0151 201 1051 (Birkenhead)email: [email protected]

www.wccu.co.uk

West Cheshire Tel: 01244 399 006 / 0151 352 0391email: [email protected]

www.wccu.co.uk

PartnersTel: 015 258 1014email: [email protected]

www.partnerscreditunion.co.uk

Congleton Community Tel: 07504 184 902email: [email protected]

EnterpriseTel: 0151 482 0177email: [email protected]

www.enterprisecreditunion.org

RiversideTel: 0151 448 0565email: [email protected]

www.riversidecreditunion.co.uk

Cheshire NeighboursTel: 01270 685 625email: [email protected]

www.cncu.org.uk

CREDITUNIONS

are my savings secure with a credit union? All registered credit unions are supervised by the Bank of England which means all savings are fully protected - they are 100% secure.

Find your nearest credit union by visiting

www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk and putting in

your postcode.

The Toxteth-based grandmother of eight has been championing her community for more than 30 years, being recognised with accolades along the way for her volunteer work - including an MBE.

She moved to Toxteth in Liverpool in 1981 and at first had reservations.

“When I was first offered here it was the time of the riots and I thought it wasn’t a place I’d like to live – it had a bad name,” she says. “But I fell in love with it. I’ve always done volunteer work and wherever I’ve lived I’ve always done something in the community and got stuck in - and it was the same when I moved here.”

Rather than get involved with big charities or organisations Irene has always preferred to take charge of the jobs that need to be done.

She started by holding community meetings in her house - which was soon overrun with neighbours and local police officers all looking to work together. Over the years she has sat on the boards of Plus Dane and Plus Housing and CDS before that and been the chair of the Labour party in her local ward.

Today, she works with other volunteers from the Kelvin Resource Centre on Kelvin Grove and

an office on High Park Road. Activities she has organised for the community include arts andcrafts, tai chi and chair based exercises, a book club and she is also a digital champion, running classes to get people online.

She is the chair of Windermere Green Tenants & Residents Association, and through Plus Dane became involved in SLAP (South Liverpool Against Poverty), a volunteer group that helps and advices local people on money issues and with appeals against the bedroom tax. They set up a food share initiative earlier this year to offer a weekly hot meal and food bags to anyone needing the assistance, with donations of fresh and tinned foods from a different shops in the area.

Most recently she has been working with Plus Dane’s IN Environmental Services team on an initiative to get more people to look after their gardens and grow their own vegetables.

Irene has received accolades over the years for her tireless community work, being named citizen of the year by Liverpool City Council and most notably being awarded an MBE for voluntary services in 2011.

Irene’s storyIrene Milson’s door is always open to neighbours looking for help, advice or a friendly chat.

“Every time I say I’m

going to retire, something else

comes along. I enjoy it too

much.”

West Cheshire Credit Union (WCCU) has now opened their new shop at 13 Whitby Road in Ellesmere Port, near the junction with Cromwell Road.

If you would like to join there is a one-off membership fee of £5, which is collected either

when you apply or from your first deposit, you will then receive a welcome pack explaining all of their products and services.

Give them a call for more information on 0151 352 0391. They are open weekdays from 10am -1pm.


Stop Press…

Who would you like to see profiled in UNiTY? Send your story ideas to [email protected]

Help to Buy is an equity loan scheme which offers a government loan of up to 20% of the cost of a new build home with only a 5% deposit needed and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest.

Our new expanded team and service is now fully up and running and has been working hard to take over all Help to Buy and Shared Ownership cases for Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as continuing with those for Merseyside and Cheshire - the team has already processed more applications in the first quarter than during the whole of 2013!

QuarryBrookQuarryBrook is an exciting new development by Plus Dane situated in Northwood, Kirkby. It is the second phase of award-winning development Quarryside.

These quality homes have been built by Southdale builders and are finished to high specification which includes driveways, front and back gardens and sheds.

The development has a number of shared ownership properties available - this is a great opportunity forfirst time buyers, individuals and families alike to buy a new home at a great price!

With the shared ownership option there are no restrictions on the size of the property you can have, which means you can buy a home that you can grow into.

Our show home is now open.

low deposit,

often just

5% on the share

you buy!

Your first home can be your forever home

Introducing the Help to Buy North West TeamIn April 2014 Plus Dane was awarded the contract to deliver the Homes and Communities Agency’s Help to Buy services across the North West.

tel 0300 790 0570

If you would like more information or to view please give us a call on 0151 708 4631 or email [email protected]• Based on £95,000 a 25% with 5% deposit over 25 years


Prices start from just

£23,750 for a 25% share

You could live here for

£320* a month

Residents start moving into new homes in KirkbyHomes have been handed over at St Kevin’s Drive in Kirkby, a scheme which is helping to pave the way for the significant regeneration of the town centre.

Since 2008 Plus Dane has been working with Knowsley Borough Council and lead developer Tesco to secure a £200m investment in Kirkby that will transform the town centre and bring new shops, improved facilities and create new homes and jobs.

Completion of Plus Dane’s scheme will allow the retail element of the regeneration to begin and residents are now moving into their new homes.

To mark the milestone, Cllr Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, visited the scheme earlier this year to meet with residents to view the new homes.

The project has involved in-depth consultation with residents to ensure that the new homes are fit for their needs. This has involved choosing the number of bedrooms and type of property they require, even down to picking kitchen and bathroom fittings, which has also enabled Plus Dane to help people affected by welfare reform.

Introducing the Help to Buy North West TeamIn April 2014 Plus Dane was awarded the contract to deliver the Homes and Communities Agency’s Help to Buy services across the North West.

Getting the best energy dealsThese days it really pays to shop around to get the best deals. Every energy supplier tells us that they are offering the best value - so how do you find out which one is best for you?

Here are a few ways to find out…• My Home Energy Switch: wwwbillscutter.com general enquiries 0800 692 11 11 uSwitch: www.uswitch.com

customer services 0800051 54 93 These are free energy saving search websites to help you to find cheaper energy tariffs. If you have access to the internet you can visit

these websites which are straightforward and user friendly.

Please bear in mind that comparison calculationsare never spot on, especially if you have estimatedyour usage to make the comparison.

• www.quidco.com This is another site that offers you cash back

when you sign up to a new energy supplier as a result of their price checks. You need to

register on the site and then get checking!

• www.moneysavingexpert.com We all know Martin Lewis from the TV and he

has his own website which offers advice and money saving tips on all kinds of subjects. You can join his Cheap Energy Club which is designed to:

1. Find the cheapest deal for you. There is also a chance to get up to £30 cash back for

switching to a new supplier via the Club.

2. Run monthly price comparisons. Energy prices change regularly so they will keep you updated whether you remain on the

cheapest tariff.

3. Alert you when it is time to switch supplier again.


Watch our film telling the story of

Kirkby’s regenerationwww.youtube.com

/plusdanegroup

luCKY eSCaPe!One of our engineers recently entered an empty flat in Ellesmere Port and noticed a smell of gas. On further investigation he discovered a gas leak coming from a pipe under the floorboards.

We had been trying to gain access to this flat with the former

tenant to carry out a gas service for over a year.

If this leak had not been found it could have caused serious damage to the property and injury to residents.

We cannot stress enough the importance of allowing us access to carry out the annual

gas service check for the safety of yourself and any surrounding residents, especially in multi-occupancy blocks.

Fortunately in this case a potential disaster was averted however this example stresses the importance of the annual gas service.



Four Plus Dane apprentices are back on dry land after completing their leg of the Apprentice Ship Cup, a tall ship race for young people at the start of their careers.

James Page, Louis Cooper, Jordan Davies and Terrance Williams became part of the crew of the class A tall ship Pelican of London for a five day voyage from Cumbria to Liverpool.

They sailed to Belfast and spent time visiting the Titanic museum there among other activities on the Irish stop.

Crowds gathered at Albert Dock to see the Pelican’s homecoming at the end of June. The crew went on to attend a special awards dinner to celebrate the achievements of all who had took part, with Plus Dane sponsoring the ‘special contribution’ award and James Page being part of the team named ‘Top Watch’.

The cup, part of the Mersey River Festival, was organised by Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust with the aim of helping young people develop practical skills, improve their confidence, and work as part of a team.

jobs, training, enterprise & advice event

ELLESMERE PORT & NESTONFollowing the success of our Liverpool event earlier this year, we are hosting a second Live Local, Work Local event in Ellesmere Port on Friday 26 September 2014, 10am to 4pm at the Ellesmere Port Civic Hall in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council. This free event will offer the chance to apply for live vacancies from local employers, information on training and apprenticeships, business and enterprise support and advice on a wide variety of topics such as income and debt advice and much more. This event is open to anyone living in Ellesmere Port and Neston and the wider area. Look out for further details over the coming weeks, including details of all the local employers who will be attending via the Facebook page www.facebook.com/LiveLocalWorkLocal.

Duke of Edinburgh AwardsA group of students from Eaton Bank Academy in Congleton achieved their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, sponsored by Plus Dane with support from Cheshire Youth Support Service. Emma Sneyd, Engagement Manager at Plus Dane Group said: “The young people involved had been on a personal journey and impressed everyone with their ability and dedication. Taking part has really given them a life changing, life-enhancing opportunity.”

apprenticeShip Cup

Watch our film telling the story of the journey at

www.youtube.com/plusdanegroup

Increased investment in existing property

ensure neighbourhoods enjoy good wellbeing

Increased community safety measures

Further supporting vulnerable customers

Write to us:

If you have any comments about UNiTY magazine please let us know. We also welcome any ideas for stories that you might have and would love to talk to people who would like to take part in our regular columns or have news to share. You can contact us in the following ways:

Call our Communications Team on 0151 703 2064, or write to Sarah Moston, Plus Dane Group, Communications Team, Rialto Buildings, 90-94 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool L8 7SY. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

Visit our websites at www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com or www.nifireside.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. A range of Neighbourhood investor films can also be viewed on our NiTV Youtube channel.

Easter prize draw winnersOur winner of the Easter Prize draw for £250 of shopping vouchers, was won by Mr A and Mrs K Netherwood of Little Neston.

Merseyside172 Park RoadLiverpoolL8 6SJ

CheshireShepherds MillWorrall StreetCongleton CW12 1DT

Ellesmere Port & Neston7-9 Civic WayEllesmere PortCheshire CH65 0AX

©2014 this publication has been written & designed by Plus Dane Communications Team working alongside the Tenants Communications Group. Printed on environmentally friendly paper.

Working with customers, we have established a set of seven neighbourhood investor promises these are:

Working in partnership with residents

Increased creation of local jobs

Increased supply and choice of homes

WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED WITH THIS MAGAZINE PLEASE RECYCLE IT.

Plus Dane Group is commited to recycling.

Contact Us

/plusdanegroup

If you are a Cheshire West & Chester Council tenant living in Ellesmere Port & Neston contact 0151 373 2520.

For general information and repairs email: [email protected]

RENEWABLE HYBRID ECOENVIRONMENT ENERGY

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If you want the chance to win a £25 shopping voucher, our word search this time is all about “Going Green”. Find the clues in the grid. One of the clues appears twice. Tell us which one and you could win a prize.

Winners last time wereHelen Hughes from liverpool

&lorraine mongillo

from Cheshire

WordwheelClue - Present everywhere.

How many words can you make with the letters from the word wheel.

Please remember - no abbreviations or names, they must be real words!

E R N ARUTANSH

L N A Q W N H I E E D O

N

E

P

J

N

F

A

J

R

H C

Y

N

R

G

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K

W

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A W OPI F LS B

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LLEERGFAW

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A O

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N R F E

RUNROIY S H

BME

AEI

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Competition

Send your entry along with your nameby post or email to Caron Gore Rees, Plus Dane Group, 7-9 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 [email protected]

NATURAL CLEAN EARTHLOCAL FREERANGE

Art250 unitysummer14

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