ART250_UNiTYSPRING13

Increased investment in existing property

Ensure neighbourhoods enjoy good well being

Increased community safety measures

Further supporting vulnerable customers

Working in partnership with residents

Increased creation of local jobs

Increased supply and choice of homes

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

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

for general information and repairs email:[email protected]

write to us:Merseyside172 Park Road Liverpool L8 6SJ

If you have any comments about UNiTYmagazine 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 toSarah Moston, Plus Dane Group, Communications Team, RialtoBuildings, 90-94 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool L8 7SY. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

You can access our website with our smart QR code or visitwww.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

This document is available in other languages, on audio format, in large print or in Braille by request.

©2013 This publication has been written & designed by Plus Dane Communications Team working alongside the Tenants Communications Group.Printed on environmentally friendly stock.

CheshireShepherds Mill Worrall Street Congleton CW12 1DT

Plus Dane Group residents’ magazine Issue 15 Spring 2013

www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

2. Scan Me!1. Download aQR ReaderGo to yoursmartphone’s app storeand type in ‘QR reader’.

Download one ontoyour phone (there arelot’s of free apps).

3. Visit ourwebsiteOpen up the QR reader on yourphone and scan the code.

Find us on... /plusdanegroup

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Find out more about the changes on the way to benefits and PlusDane’s Big Benefit Shake Upcampaign, watch our movie at www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

green fingers Competition

Now that spring is around the corner, it’s a great time for gettingout and about in the garden and making it look its best!

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, you couldhave your efforts pictured in UNiTY and be in with the chance ofwinning a grand prize with our new gardening competition coming soon, look out for more details in our next issue!

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

WHEN YOU

HAVE FINISHED

WITH THIS MAGAZINE PLEASE RECYCLE IT.

Plus Dane Group is

commited to recycling.

Plus Dane UNiTY 3Plus Dane UNiTY2

Inside this issue...4-10 Health and wellbeing

5 Growing together

6-7 Every day my husband slips further away

6 Help for carers

7 I say I was attacked by a shark

8 Give rugby a try

10 Active 8

11 Liverpool Garden Competition 2013

12 Watch Out for Green Deal

13 Just the job

14 Enterprise in the Dingle

16 Grounds Maintenance Focus Group

17 Beautiful North Awards

19 The Big Benefit Shake Up

23 Competition

hello

Big Benefit Shake Up




Hello and welcome to UNiTY, and a verywarm welcome to our new readers from

Ellesmere Port and Neston who arereceiving this magazine for the first time.

We hope that

as you read the

pages of this magazine,

we will show you the

many ways in which we

are delivering our

seven promises.

like us on facebookfacebook.com/plusdanegroup

follow us on twittertwitter.com/plusdanegroup

watch us on youtubeyoutube.com/plusdanegroup

As part of Plus Dane’s Big Benefit Shake Up campaign we have produced aseries of leaflets on the changes being introduced by the government to thebenefits system.

To find out more about the changes and how you could be affected, as well as forinformation on organisations offering support, the leaflets are available to view atwww.neighbourhoodinvestor.com or if you would like to receive a hard copy,call our usual numbers which can be found on the back page of UNiTY.

Have a look at our Big Benefit Shake Upmovie on NiTV atwww.youtube.com/plusdanegroup orat www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

There’s a Big Benefit Shake Up on the way but Plus Dane Group is here to help. Find out about the changes coming to benefits and how Plus Dane can support you by visiting www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com and watching our Big Benefit Shake Up film.

Plus Dane UNiTY4

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Plus Dane UNiTY 5

Growing together

The Tenants Communications Grouphas chosen to theme this edition ofUNiTY around the issue of health and wellbeing.

Ensuring neighbourhoods enjoy goodwellbeing is one of Plus Dane’s sevenpromises to tenants and residents. The Group undertakes lotsof work to support this, through running courses through ourResidents Academy to encourage healthy lifestyles, investing inprojects that help communities to get active, creatingvolunteering opportunities and ensuring neighbourhoods areclean and well maintained.

At a time when the people we serve face significant challengesthrough the Big Benefit Shake Up, supporting wellbeing hasnever been more important. All our work is based around thefive ways to wellbeing, a set of simple actions to improvewellbeing in everyday life:

Connect with the people around you whether with family, friendsor neighbours at home, work, school or in your local community.

Be Active find a physical activity you enjoy and that suits yourlevel of mobility and fitness, exercise is an important part ofkeeping well.

Take Notice be aware of the world around you and what youare feeling and reflect on your experiences.

Keep Learning try something new, learning new things willmake you more confident as well as being fun.

Give whether by volunteering your time, joining a communitygroup or simply by helping a friend, getting involved in yourneighbourhood can be incredibly rewarding and createsconnections with the people around you.

WELLBEING MATTERSThe Bromley Farm InquiryIn partnership with Our Life, an organisation which works to provideengagement and empowerment services that improve wellbeingand empower communities, Plus Dane is driving a new project inCongleton’s Bromley Farm neighbourhood called WellbeingMatters: The Bromley Farm Inquiry.

As part of this, we are looking for 25 residents to join us to talkabout wellbeing - what it means and how it can be improved.

Wellbeing is something that affects everybody regardless of their situation. Some people describe wellbeing as feeling good and functioning well. The aim of The Bromley Farm Inquiry is to tryand find out what action needs to be taken to improve wellbeing in the neighbourhood.

We would like to discuss the ways we can make changes for thebetter. You don’t need to have special skills or knowledge, all youneed is to be willing to talk about your views and opinions and listento those of other people.

In recognition of the time that you will give up, we are offering £20 worth of gift vouchers for each session that you attend -sessions are two and a half hours and there will be nine sessions in total.

If you are over 16 years of age and would like to be considered for‘Wellbeing Matters’ then please contact Andrew Tester,WellbeingOfficer at Plus Dane, on 01260 288 212, or Sue Millichap on 0161 233 7511 or email [email protected].

Andy commented: “Health and Wellbeing is a vital issue and the aimof this project is to put the community in the driving seat and gettheir views on wellbeing and what they think needs to be done tomake a difference for their neighbourhood. The great thing about the consultation phase is that the next steps are completely up tothe community and will be driven by what residents tell us during the discussion sessions.”

It is hoped that the project can act as a pilot to be rolled out in other neighbourhoods.

Look out for an update on how the project isprogressing in the next issue of UNiTY.

BRIO LEISURE FREE 7 DAY GYM, CLASS & SWIM MEMBERSHIP

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FREE 7 DAY GYM, CLASS & SWIM MEMBERSHIP

Brio Leisure is offering (over 17’s) a FREE 7 day gym, class & swim membership at any one of it’s 10 centres across Cheshire including the EPIC Leisure Centre in Ellesmere Port, Neston Recreation Centre, NorthgateArena in Chester and Moss Farm Leisure Complex in Northwich.

Brio Leisure Centre’s are also located across Cheshire in Rudheath, Frodsham, Winsford, Christleton and Malpas.For full list of centre’s visit www.brioleisure.org

before 30 April 2013

Every day my husband slips further away

June, who has two children but no family livinglocally, says her own health is “ok” although she is acutelyaware that each day without respite care for Alec places herunder increasing strain. Alec recently needed a short spell inhospital and it became a watershed moment for both of them.

“The stress I was under at that time was greater than I thought.The nurses said that Alec could be cared for at home andbegan talking about getting carers to help and I just crumbled in front of them, broke down and it was only then they realisedhow bad things had become for me.

“I just had to have a break. I was on the point of falling ill myselfand I felt desperately worried that if I fell ill there was no-one to care for us both.

“They agreed to give me respite and I felt such relief, not in the sense that I’m glad he’s gone, but as though a weight hadbeen lifted off my shoulders. It was great to sit and have a cup of tea and watch the telly without worrying, although I thenstarted worrying how he was coping being in a strange place.”

As June describes the way she and Alec live their lives now, it’s easy to forget they were once a couple who shared so muchtogether, building a home, raising a family, falling in love.

“We met in 1970,” June says. “I worked in a coffee bar inCheshire when I was 28 and he was 10 years older. He and his friend came in for a coffee and then he came in for coffeeevery day for a fortnight before he plucked up the courage to ask me for a date. We went dancing and at the end of the night he told me he had to borrow the money to take me out because he hadn’t got any spare.

“It’s so hard to see him the way he is now.”

Plus Dane UNiTY6 Plus Dane UNiTY 7

Tenant June Davidson reveals theheartbreak of caring for a loved onewith dementia.June Davidson watches intently as herhusband Alec shuffles across the kitchen.

“He’s not the man I married anymore,”shesays. “He’s angry, aggressive, frustrated.There is no caring if I am ill or if I’m crying, it doesn’t make a bit of difference becausehe can’t express those feelings anymore.”June is explaining what it is like to live withand care for some with dementia. Herhusband was diagnosed with the relativelyuncommon fronto-temporal form in 2009and she has seen him deteriorate rapidlysince then to the point where she can onlyleave him alone for short periods.

The former postman realised he neededhelp as his memory started to fail inunusual ways. He would be able toremember his address but forget that helived in Congleton. He would experiencehuge mood swings or suddenly loseconcentration on whatever he was doing.

He complained of dizzy spells, which were later revealed to be a series of small strokes.

For June it was a frightening experience,but fear has turned into stress and nearexhaustion as she works round the clock to care for her 81-year-old husband.“Dementia’s a name for collective range of conditions,” explains June. “It could be vascular or Alzheimer’s. There are no drugs to slow down the type Alec has. He cannot read or write and his speech is very badly affected - he knows what hewants to say but it sometimes comes outdifficult to understand.

“He’s sad, angry, frightened and every day loses something else that you or I take for granted. Eventually he will have to go into a nursing home because he willstart to lose every function of the body aswell as the mind.”

June has a right to be angry about thecruelty of dementia and the strain that it places on her as an unpaid carer, but that anger has been exacerbated by the

current slew of cutbacks that are chippingaway at what little help there has been forcouples like Alec and her.

“Carers are undervalued in society, we are a priceless resource and thegovernment should pay us what we areworth,” she adds. “Our local care home isunder threat and as I understand itthousands of people aren’t going to gethome care anymore because of thecutbacks.

“Day care has been cut, respite care has been cut and this is going to put more stress on unpaid carers. If you are a carer you are saving the local authoritythousands of pounds - a lot more than itwould cost if that person was in a carehome. People don’t understand that when you are a carer the stress is so bad.

“It costs £32.52 a night for respite care - you work out how often you can afford that on £79 a week attendance allowance - it’s an insult to carers and the people they care for.”

Help forcarersBeing a carer is often morethan a full time role, somepeople are looking afterloved ones on a 24-hourbasis and become prone to stress and ill healththemselves.

Help and understanding is available, often just aphone call or a web clickaway, so whatever you dodon’t suffer in silence.

Here is a small selection ofuseful numbers; your localcouncil will also have a list of organisations that canhelp.

You can also talk to yourneighbourhood officer, whowill always be able to look at ways to get you moresupport.

Alzheimer’s Society Care and research charity forpeople with dementiawww.alzheimers.org.uk0845 300 0336

Autistic SocietyConfidential helpline for advice and support www.autism.org.uk0808 800 4104

Carers Direct/Young CarersConfidential helpwww.nhs.uk/carersdirect 0808 802 0202

Contact a familyOffers families information onspecific medical conditions www.cafamily.org.uk 0808 808 3555

Gov.ukInformation on the carers allowance www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

MencapLearning disabilities helpline www.mencap.org.uk 0808 808 1111

Multiple Sclerosis SocietySupport and information www.mssociety.org.uk 0808 800 8000

NHS Huge range ofinformation on medicalconditions andtreatmentwww.nhs.uk 0845 4647

Carers Trust Information and advicefor carers www.carers.org 0844 800 4361

Young Carers Net Information, forumswww.youngcarers.net

Benefits advice08457 123 456

Cheshire Young Carers Ellesmere Port support [email protected] 0151 356 9497

Crossroads Cheshire and Wirral supportwww.crossroadsce.org.uk 0151 343 1960

Local solutions Liverpool wide rangingpractical supportwww.localsolutions.org.uk 0151 709 0990

Runcorn Carers Centre Wide range of help for people living in Halton01928 580 182

I say I was attackedby a sharkAmazing life of champion Rick

“When people ask me how I becamedisabled I tell them it was a shark attack butthe truth is I was run over by my own car. Ithad broken down and while I was talking toa repairman from the RAC, a lorry went intothe back of the car and into me.Doctors battled for three yearsto save my leg and I hadcountless operations but inthe end I told them to get itover with and chop it off.”

Rick Grainger is a fascinatingman with an incredible CV whohas had so much to enjoy in life but had his fair share of bad luck too.

To detail all of Rick’s exploits would take a whole issue of UNiTY - a formerinternational sales director and owner of athriving IT business, scuba diver, basketballplayer, inventor, jet setter, he lost a leg, wascalled to the Anglican priesthood tobecome an unpaid priest and is now a PlusDane Tenant Champion spreading the

message about the Big Benefit Shake Updespite having to wrestle with multiple sclerosis.

“I think 99% of disability is in the head.There are always ways of working aroundthings,” he says. “I refuse to sit here andvegetate when I have lots of skills to offer tomy community.”

One of the ways the Netherton resident hasbeen helping recently is talking to fellowtenants about welfare reform, especiallyon the need to have a bank accountand stick to a budget.

Rick even recently appeared on theBBC 10 o’clock news to explain howchanges to benefits would affect

people like him.

“People see information about thebedroom tax and universal credit and theyswitch off but these changes are comingand people need to prepare. There’s lots ofhelp available from Plus Dane, but peopleneed to take advantage,” he says.

“I’m a straight talker and I’ve been tellingpeople that if you don’t pay your rent youcan lose your home and that would be aterrible thing for anyone to go through,

especially when Plus Dane are well set up to help.”

Rick became a Plus Dane tenant when theGroup bought his home from his previouslandlords, who had decided to pull out ofthe area.

“I think the quality of a neighbourhood is down to individual people,” he adds.“When I moved here, I made sure Iintroduced myself to all my neighbours and they are a great bunch. Years ago, the place I live was called Dodge, but noone would call it that now. It’s a fabulousneighbourhood.”

To find out more about our

Big Benefit Shake Uptenant champions see page 19

June and husband Alec

Rick Grainger

If you need advice aboutAlzheimer’s,contact the

Alzheimer’s Society0845 300 0336


Putting Ellesmere Port on the sporting mapEllesmere Port is proud to be holding its very first 5km and 10km running races along with a one mile family run around Whitby Park.

These fantastic events are taking place on Sunday 16th June and are planned to continue in 2014 and 2015. The event is hoping to attract 1,500 runners, both locally andfrom further afield, who can compete on an ultra-fast course. The event is being organised by local company, Active Leisure Events, who organise the very successful Chester marathon and half-marathon.

All participants, including the Family Fun Run, will get a bespoke medal, race t-shirt and post-race goodies. They are also looking for “Race Crew”, who will be volunteers critical to the smooth operation of the race for marshalling and water station duties. The race will include most areas of the town, so it’s a perfect opportunity to get involved, and feel part of the event.

If you would like to take part, either as a runner or volunteer log ontowww.activeleisureevents.co.uk for more information, if you don’t have access to the internet computers are available in the reception of Plus Dane’s Civic Way office in Ellesmere Port, please ask if you need assistance.

Give rugby a tryMore young people are playing sport, thanks to a partnershipbetween Plus Dane and Congleton Rugby Club.

Last year we invested £10,000 in the Bears as part of a drive toencourage young people in the town to get active.

Following its success, a further £6,000 has been pledged and new partnerships set up with local schools Congleton High andEaton Bank Academy.

Welcoming the deal, youth coach Ian MacArthur said: “We aregetting lots of new members - it’s fantastic to see lads who we used to see hanging round on the streets coming down to trainingand taking part in something they enjoy.

“Rugby not only gives young people great physical exercise, the game fosters a culture of respect, discipline and team-workwhich once acquired becomes a skill for life.

“There’s also such a great social side to it too. Friends you makethrough rugby are friends forever.”

We all have an idea of how to improve our health, but many people fall into bad habits they find difficult to change. The good news is it is never too late to start making positive changes to your life, even small steps can make a bigdifference, so follow our top tips for a better life.

Plus Dane runs lots of community events and Residents Academy courses, we’d love to see you. Visit www.NHS.ukand click on the “Live well” heading for advice on everything from improving your diet to help with giving up smoking or dealing with stress.

Time tolearnThe Ni Residents Academy is coming to the end of another brilliant year.

DietIt’s not always easy but try to eat at least five differentportions of fruit andvegetables a day, whetherfresh, frozen or tinned.

Also include starchy foodssuch as bread, cereals,potatoes, pasta and rice in your diet, opting forwholegrains when possible.

If you’re overweight this could lead to health problems so try to graduallyreduce the amount of calories you take in. Your local health centre will have plenty of advice on sensible ways to get to a good weight withoutresorting to faddy crash diets.

SleepSleeping well is the “Holy Grail” of wellbeing - so many problems canseem to reduce after a goodnight’s rest.

Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same times to programme your bodyclock. Taking some exerciseduring the day can help, ascan mind calming exercises. Give yourself time to unwindwithout modern distractionsbefore you go to bed. Usingmobile phones or computersjust before bed keep themind “wired”, but reading alittle or listening to soothingmusic can help. Also look tominimise distracting light.

ExerciseExercise is essential for body and mind, making theheart stronger, keeping yousupple and reducingcountless health risks.

Everything from competitivesport to walking, swimming, housework,gardening and even takingthe stairs can make adifference.

Try to take 30 minutes ofmoderate exercise five ormore days a week. If you’vebeen out of action for a whilebuild up slowly. If you havehealth problems or anyconcerns ask a health orfitness professional foradvice.

ConnectExperts say one of the bestways to feel better andreduce stress is to makefriends, take part, and talk.

If you are becoming isolated it will do your health no good,so make an effort to join in

with local activities,take up a sport or hobby,start aneducationalcourse, talk more to yourfriends, family andneighbours.

Make a changeIt’s never too late to start living a healthier, happier life. Staying as healthy and as fit as you can help you to get the most out of life.

Scores of tenants have taken advantage of ourfree training courses in everything fromprofessional housing qualifications, businessand work skills to first aid and arts and crafts.

A list of courses for the New Year is being drawnup now and will be available soon.

New courses are being added all the time, soit’s worth checking out our website or speakingto your local Plus Dane officer.

Go to www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com and search for Ni Residents Academy where you will also find links to a calendar containing all ourforthcoming neighbourhood events.

You can also contact our call centre for moreinformation on courses on:

0800 169 2988(Free from most UK landline phones)

or 0300 123 4560(Local rate from a mobile phone).

The partnership with CongletonBears is just one of many fruitfulteam-ups in the town aimed at

promoting health and happiness.


Active 8Plus Dane is supporting an ongoing programmeof sporting activity in the Liverpool 8 area.Working with the Liverpool 8 Sports Facility Partnership,the Group is helping to promote the fantastic facilities thearea has to offer and encourage local residents to make themost of the wealth of sports and recreation opportunities ontheir doorstep.

The latest facility to open its doors is the Toxteth Fire Fit Hub, a unique building that sees top class youthand sporting facilities next to a new operational fire station,developed by Merseyside Fire and Rescue.

The Fire Fit Hub is based in the heart of Toxteth on thecorner of Windsor and Upper Warwick Street and includes astate of the art gym, 1,200 capacity sports hall, martial artsand dance studio and four external football pitches.

Other facilities on offer include:

Admiral Park - a recreation ground developed by Plus Daneincluding grass football pitches, a multi-use hard court areafor tennis, netball and basketball and a modern changingpavillion.

The Lifestyles Park RoadOffering an extensive classes programme from Zumba to Tai Chi, along with a large swimming pool, training pool,sports hall and fitness suite.

The Florence InstituteThe recently restored sports hall at ‘The Florrie’ offers a multi-functional space for sports and recreation. The Florrie has a vibrant history of sporting achievements and a commitment to future sports development.

Starr fieldsOpen for the last five years, Starr fields is open seven days a week and offers a range of outdoor sport and recreation facilities.

The Belvedere Community Activity CentreFully refurbished and reopened in 2006, the centre provides quality sports facilities, including a boxing gym and fitness suite, as well as meeting and training rooms and office space for rent.

The Liverpool 8 Sports Facility Partnership is also running a programme of quality sports sessions during the Easter school holidays, supported by the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, which take place across the full range of community sports facilities across the area.

An underused play area in Neston’s Ringway estate isset to be transformed thanksto a £40,000 grant.

Cheshire West and ChesterCouncil’s Greenspace Team,Councillor Andy Williams and theCAN Group have secured thefunding for the improvementscheme, which will include softlandscaping, the installation of new play equipment, seating areas,natural play features and a new gate.

Local residents have been involvedand consulted over the plans andare very excited about the project.Once work has been completed, it ishoped that the new space will give asense of belonging and pride to thecommunity.

Plus Dane attended a recentplanning session to meet with theproject team and help with ideas for how the community could beinvolved in the project, where anumber of ideas were put forward

and it was decided that thecommunity would help to design a sign for the play area to make it their own. A community event inNeston’s Market Square is beingplanned for April by the CAN Group,which will be a great opportunity topromote the play area and involvedthe community in designing theirsign.

Emma Sneyd, EngagementManager at Plus Dane, said: “This is a great project that willdevelop a vibrant new communityspace at the Ringway. We arelooking forward to working alongsidethe CAN Group to support thescheme and help to create a playarea that local residents can call theirown and enjoy for years to come.”

Makeover for Neston play area

Florence Institute Running Group(Every Thursday 6.30-7.30pm) ideal for people wanting to run toimprove their fitness and enjoythe social aspect of running. New participants get FREE sessions for 6 weeks. Call 0151 728 2323 to find out more.

CLOSING DATE31st May2013


WATCH OUTfor Green DealTenants are being advised to contact Plus Dane ifapproached by firms offering services under thegovernment’s new Green Deal.

The scheme offers people the chance to have their homeschecked to see if they can be made more energy efficient and for work to be carried out if - and only if - there are significant savings to be made on fuel bills.

The work is eventually paid for by charges on energy bills over 20-25 years which should be more than offset by thesavings made.

The charge stays with the property, even if the homeis sold or taken over by new tenants.

Any tenant wishing to take advantage of theGreen Deal must seek permission andfurther information from Plus Dane beforethey agree to work taking place as we areexploring whether we are able to unlockcash to make eco-improvements to homeswithout tenants having to pay charges at all.

Head of Asset management Martin Gladwin said: “We arelooking very closely at how we can squeeze the best possiblevalue out of the Green Deal and whether we can accessalternative funding to do the work without tenants having topay any charges.”

Just the job

Jobseekers in Runcorn are flocking to a new club which is helping them find work.The weekly drop-in service at Castlefields Community Centre offers help and advice onfinding employment or training.

One person using the service is Carl McEvoy,46. He said: “I’ve worked for many yearsdoing manual jobs but physically am nolonger able to do heavy lifting so have beenlooking for office work. I’ve done lots of ITtraining and sent off lots of applications butam not getting any replies, I think it is becauseI lack experience for that kind of work.

“I’m hoping the job club will help me. I’d loveto be earning money again.”

Another, Janine Lee, 30, said: “I would love tostart my own business as a photographer asthat is a passion of mine but before I can dothat I need part-time work to get some moneytogether while being able to look after myyoung daughter.

“I keep drumming into my daughter theimportance of learning and getting a good job.Then I look at myself and I’m not working andit makes me more determined to succeed.

“I’ve applied for plenty of jobs but there’s oftena change in mood when you mention youhave a small child. A lot of firms seem wary

of mums because they think we have otherpriorities, but we really need jobs and wantto keep them.

“The job club is a great idea - I’ve appliedfor a job today.”

The Castlefields Work Club is open eachFriday between 1-3pm at CastlefieldsCommunity Centre. As well as Plus Daneand LHT staff, the club also has experts from a range of partner agencies, includingRiverside College, National Careers Service,the Shaw Trust and others.

Practical help available at the work clubincludes internet job searches, CV writing,enhancing employability and personaldevelopment, tips on what employers lookfor in job applications, bridging the gapbetween job seeking and employment andinformation on support grants available.

Carl Mcevoy

Joseph Charmers

For more information, call Jeff O’Carroll on 01928 706 821 or email [email protected]

HomeSwapper is a direct home swapservice for social housing tenants whowant a house swap, flat swap or toexchange their home.

If you live in a council house or housingassociation property you can do a houseexchange and swap your home withHomeSwapper, the national home swap service.

It's simple - you are matched withsomeone who wants to swap their home.

Just follow these steps:

• Register online atwww.HomeSwapper.co.uk

• You are automatically matched to anypotential swaps

• You receive an email or SMS text youwith details of those matches

• You then use that information and findyour new home

HomeSwapper.co.uk is the UK's largestservice helping people swap homes. In the past year HomeSwapper hashelped over 25,000 tenants move home!

Plus Dane offers HomeSwapper to alltenants free of charge. If you require more information please don’t hesitate to contact us, there are details on theback page. If you don’t have access to the internet, pop into your local Plus Dane office and a member of staff willhelp you.

West Cheshire College is one of the leading providersof vocational learning in the area, with campuses inEllesmere Port and Chester.

Its new buildings, which recently underwent a £65 millionredevelopment, boasts many facilities available for use by the local community. The Ellesmere Port Campus has ahair and beauty salon, FitZone Fitness Gym, Dance Studio,bistro-style restaurant, The Dining Room and the JohnPrescott Theatre.

If you’re interested in keeping fit and healthy, West CheshireCollege offers a full programme of sports and fitnessactivities. We have ATP-approved tennis courts, FitZonefitness gym and a full-sized football pitch (due forcompletion in Summer 2013).

Finally if you are peckish, why not join us in one of our many catering outlets located at both Campuses; all offeringgreat value hot and cold food choices. If you fancy a treat,our Dining Room restaurant provides locally-sourced (wherepossible), wholesome food which is cooked fresh to order.

With so much on offer around both Campuses, botheducationally and recreationally, we look forward towelcoming you the College soon.

For more information visit www.west-cheshire.ac.uk or call the College hotline on 01244 656 555.

Any tenant wishing to take advantageof the Green Deal must seekpermission andfurther informationfrom Plus Dane.

News for Leaseholders in Ellesmere Port and Nestonfrom the Home Ownership Team in Ellesmere Port

Service charge estimates

Annual ground rent notifications have now been sent out to allleaseholders in Ellesmere Port and Neston along with basicinformation about buildings insurance cover. Service chargeestimates should be sent to all leaseholders by the end of April.

Adjusted service charge accounts

These will be sent by 30th September. For the 2011/12 service charge year, some leaseholders had significantshortfalls between the amount of their estimated charges andthe actual amounts spent because of increased amounts spenton repairs. We are working to identify those affected in advance of the adjusted accounts being sent out so that you can makeprovision for any shortfall.

Paying your service charges

Service charges can now be paid by telephone again. You can contact Mel Wild, Home Ownership Assistant on 0151 373 2516 or Brian Hughes, Home Ownership Manageron 0151 373 2515. There is a prize draw for all leaseholderswho have a clear service charge account on 31st March, with a prize of £100 in high street shopping vouchers.

Emergency contact details

Finally, it is important that we have up to date contact details for all leaseholders in case we need to contact anyone in anemergency, such as a leak from an upstairs flat. We will becontacting anyone whose telephone numbers we don’t hold.

If you have any leasehold queries please contact the HomeOwnership Team for Ellesmere Port and Neston on 0151 373 2520.


Enterprise celebrates 10 years of growth in Dingle

South Central Community Transport(SCCT), which provides affordabletransport solutions for local people, set up in 2003 through leasing a formerderelict garage on Mill Street from PlusDane (then CDS Housing). The buildinghad been earmarked for demolition as part of a Housing ImprovementProgramme to remove blight fromLiverpool 8 but, after approaching Plus Dane forsupport, theGroup purchasedthe building tolease to SCCT fora nominal rent toallow them toestablishthemselves as astand-alonebusiness.

Ten years on andSCCT has established itself as a thrivingsocial business servicing multiple clientsand offering a wide range of services from

door-to-door transport trips such aslunches for older people, educational trips and youth organised events, torecruitment open days, drop-in advicesessions for the local community, as wellas community events.

As part of the ten year celebrations inFebruary, Plus Dane officially handed overthe lease of the building to SCCT to enablethe organisation to continue to develop its

business.

Gerard Murden, ManagingDirector at Plus DaneGroup, commented: “I am delighted to becelebrating the significantachievements of SCCT ten years after thebusiness was first set up.

“I am proud that PlusDane has been able to

provide its support and help SCCT grow from a small operation to the thrivingbusiness it is now, offering a valuable and

much needed affordable transport solutionfor local people.”

Speaking at an event to mark the officialhandover, SCCT Transport Manager, Bernie Smith, said: “I can’t thank Plus Dane enough for all the supportthey’ve given us over the last 10 yearswhich has helped us to build and grow the business into one that we are proud of today. I would like to thank everyoneinvolved for their support and we arelooking forward to another successfuldecade of continuing to offer affordabletransport and employment opportunitiesfor the local community.”

SCCT is a registered charity set up bythree founder members, Bernie Smith,Kenneth Brabbins and John Bird, and isgoverned by a board of nine trustees. Byreceiving ownership of the building, SCCTwill be able to access loan facilities tofurther expand, as well as being able toundertake further works to develop thebusiness.

We built this for youPlus Dane is vowing to build more homes following the success of a pioneering project to see if we can do the job ourselves.

The Smartbuild project saw members of our existing trades teamlearn skills and share experience as they built three homes on aparcel of land in Castlefields, Runcorn.

One of the first tenants to move in, Elaine Kochan, said: “It’s such alovely home with so much space. I feel privileged to be a part of this.

“My husband and I have two children and were living in a crampedtwo-bedroom apartment; both girls have now got their own roomand are so happy. It’s a lovely house, a lovely area and we are allmade up.”

Elaine, along with husband David and their two children wereinvolved in the Smartbuild project from the beginning and evenhelped design the kitchen and bathroom.

“We watched the house go up from the first spade going in right

up until to the final brick beinglaid. The children were soexcited and whenever we wentout together they always askedto go and see how the housewas getting on.”

Plus Dane will continue todeliver affordable housingthrough its existing framework contractors, with Smartbuild aimed at small scaleschemes on infill sites and parcels of land.

The group are now embarking on a refurbishment project in Sefton and further new build in Anfield, with ambitious plans for further projects and expansion of the initiative.

One of the members of the Smartbuild team, Phil Moss, said: “It’s a great feeling to look at the people going through their front doors and to be able to say ‘I helped build that home for you’.”

A local communityenterprise in Dingle thatworks to provide a vitaltransport service for thelocal community hascelebrated its 10thanniversary by achievingownership of the building it operates from.

Leaseholder Update IMPORTANT INFORMATIONChange to Housing Ombudsman complaintreferral procedure

The Localism Act introduces a key change in the waycustomers can appeal a decision made by Plus Daneabout a complaint they have submitted.

At the moment if a customer has exhausted our internalcomplaints procedure they can take their complaintstraight to the Housing Ombudsman.

From 1st April 2013, the Localism Act 2011 introduced a new mechanism between our internal complaintsprocedure and the Housing Ombudsman which is calledthe ‘designated person’.

This means that after the internal procedure iscompleted customers can go to:

• Any MP in England • Any Councillor in the complainant’s local authority• A recognised tenants panel

The ‘designated person’ might try to resolve a complaintlocally so it does not have to go to the HousingOmbudsman, but has the power to refer a complaint to theOmbudsman if they think it’s the most appropriate option.

A second option for complainants allows them to wait for eight weeks once the internal complaints process has completed, and then go directly to the HousingOmbudsman. The designated person will have the powerto refer the complaint to the Ombudsman before the eightweek waiting period if they see fit.

If you would like any further information on this, pleasecontact Michael Neilson, Customer Relations Manager,on 0151 330 3539 or by [email protected]


Currently there is a Service Level Agreement (SLA) betweenCWAC Housing Management Client and Streetscene, PlusDane’s role is to monitor this agreement on behalf of the Client.The Streetscene Service includes the cutting and tending ofgrass, the planting and tending of trees, hedges, shrubs, flowersand other plants and the controlling of weeds and applyingherbicides on verges and obstruction on verges.

The Service Level Agreement outlines how often grass should be cut and to what length, during which months pruning andmaintenance of shrubs will take place and how frequently this will happen. This includes:

• Grass verges cut every two weeks between March and November.

• Hedges to be trimmed three times during the growing season.

• Any tree pruning is additional works and trees in tenant’sgardens are their own responsibility, unless the trees are dead or dangerous.

• Work programmes are subject to change, especially during inclement weather.

Residents are the “eyes and ears” of neighbourhoods and are often best placed to help us do our job.

We are currently looking for more residents to join the GroundsMaintenance Focus Group and would welcome any new

members, particularly residents from Neston, Little Sutton,Westminster and Town Centre.

If you would like more information or would like to becomeinvolved, please contact our Resident Engagement Team on 0151 357 8738.

If you are unable to commit to joining the Focus Group, you can still help by reporting any issues you may have withGrounds Maintenance e.g. grass cutting, tree/shrubmaintenance. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us toimprove the level of service you receive. To report any issuesplease call Streetscene on 0300 123 7026 or to report thefollowing Streetscene issues:

• Abandoned or untaxed vehicle

• Dog fouling or animal remains

• Fly-tipping

• Graffiti and vandalism

• Litter reporting and litter bin problems

• Needles and syringes

Or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk where you canreport an incident.

Alternatively, issues can also be reported to your Housing Officeron 0151 373 2520, by visiting our office in Ellesmere Port or on-line by visiting www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

Grounds Maintenance Focus GroupTo help make neighbourhoods the best they can be wehave recently set up a Grounds Maintenance FocusGroup, involving residents from Ellesmere Port and Neston.

The main aim of the group is to help monitor the Grounds Maintenance Service which is currently provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

North Liverpoolcommunity championshonoured at awards ceremonyChampions of the community from across North Liverpool have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Isla GladstoneConservatory in Anfield’s Stanley Park to celebrate the Beautiful North awards, which recognised the commitment oflocal residents to making North Liverpool a great place to live.

More than 100 nominations were received, put forward by thepublic, and winners were chosen by a panel of judges.

Winner of the lifetime achievement award was Sheen Orton, who has worked tirelessly to support young people across North Liverpool. Judges heard how she has put her heart andsoul into providing activities, resources and support for youngpeople in the area.

Maud Glenson has spent more than 20 years volunteering for Walton Citizens Advice Bureau and was honoured with the older person of the year award.

The personal achievement award went to Danny Casey, who after transforming his life now works to helps others tackle addiction.

Another shining example of how someone can successfully turn their life around was Michael Broadhurst. He now works as part of a detached project engaging hard to reach youngpeople in Kirkdale and was the deserving winner of the youngerperson of the year award.

Audrey Kanyowa was named as volunteer of the year afterspending the past four years volunteering with the PersonShaped Support (PSS) champion programme. Judges heard how Audrey has been helping others at a time in her life when she was also in need of help.

The ceremony took place in February and was hosted by The Beautiful North, a partnership of more than 40 public,privateand voluntary sector organisations, led by Liverpool CityCouncil cabinet members and ward councillors and coordinatedby Plus Dane Group and Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT).

Kirkdale councillor Joe Hansen said: "From across the wards of Kirkdale, County, Anfield and Warbreck,members of the community who make a difference, giving their time, energy and passion to make their communitiesa better place to live, joined with all our partners, to celebrateanother year of success.

"I wished we could have given every person in the room an award, because without doubt they all make a massivecontribution to improving the lives of residents living in our area."

Plus Dane partners with West Cheshire Credit UnionPlus Dane has been working to develop a new partnership with West Cheshire Credit Union.

Following confirmation that the Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union will be withdrawingservices from Ellesmere Port at the end of March, the new partnership approach betweenthe two organisations will ensure that these vital services are maintained for the area.

Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union will be writing to all their members in Ellesmere Port toinform them that they will no longer provide a face-to-face service in the area and givingthem the opportunity to transfer accounts to West Cheshire Credit Union.

The Big Benefit Shake UpThere’s a big benefit shake up coming during 2013, which will see major changes to housing and other benefits being introduced.

The Bedroom Tax comes in during April and under the new rules, if you are of working age, your housing benefit could be reduced depending on thenumber of additional bedrooms in your home.

Plus Dane is doing all we can to help prepare tenants and residents and to support those that will struggle to keep up with rent once the Bedroom Tax takes effect.

Over 600 staff have been out in neighbourhoods visiting tenants personally to talk about the Bedroom Tax and to offer advice. We have also produced a series of leaflets outlining each of the changes, which you can access at www.neighbourhoodinvestor.comor by calling into one of our offices.

If you would like to take to us in person, you can also call our customer contact numbers and choose the option to speak to a Plus Dane advisor about the Big Benefit Shake Up, or watch our latest film which explains the changes at www.youtube.com/plusdanegroup.


Neston over the next 20 yearsA message from Phil Baker Chair of NestonNeighbourhood Plan Steering Committee

Towards the end of last year a group of local residentscame together to start the process of developing aNeighbourhood Plan for the Neston area. This was inresponse to an initiative from the Town Council earlier in the year inviting residents to take part.

This Neighbourhood Plan will fit with new governmentlegislation designed to give local people a greater sayin the future of their area and will have legal statuswithin a new Local Plan being produced by CheshireWest and Chester Council.

So that you have a chance to be involved and makeyour views known, we are looking at all aspects of the Neston area from housing, shopping, leisure andgreen spaces to roads and parking issues.

As part of this process we are seeking your views and suggestions and will be doing this over the courseof the year through meetings and questionnaires.

We look forward to hearing from you.

For more details contact:

Michelle Suckley Neston Town CouncilNeston Community & Youth CentreBurton RoadNeston, CH64 9RE

email: [email protected] tel: 0151 353 1407 www.nestontowncouncil.org.uk

New affordable homes at Rossfield Park

The Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Patricia Merrick, hasbeen to visit new homes at Rossfield Park to view the progressthat is being made to develop affordable homes for the town,and welcomed new tenants into their homes by presenting themwith a welcome hamper.

Over 230 homes have been built at Rossfield Park. The homeshave been developed by housebuilders Persimmon andWainhomes with a further part of the scheme developed foraffordable rent homes through a partnership betweenCountryside Properties, Plus Dane Group and Peel Land andProperty, with support from Chester West and Chester Counciland the Homes and Communities Agency.

In total 65 new affordable rent homes have been built, and with this element of the development now nearly complete, CllrMerrick joined partners for a tour of the development andwelcomed new tenants, Tania and Chris Cummins to their new home.

Mr and Mrs Cummins previously lived in a small two bedroomhouse in Bishop’s Gardens, but were attracted to Rossfield Parkbecause of its spacious design and convenient location close towork and their son’s school, local amenities and transport links.

Mrs Cummins commented: “We were struggling to manage in our previous house. Plus Dane offered us this house lastsummer and it feels like home already. We both work hard andnow we have a home to be proud of. We feel very enthusiasticfor the future, we couldn’t be happier!”

Cllr Merrick added: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to see the great work being done to develop high quality new homes at Rossfield Park in Ellesmere Port. It’s great to see how developments like this are making such a difference andI’m sure Mr and Mrs Cummins will be very happy in their new home.”

Your new championsTenants helping to prepare for the Big Benefit Shake Up

Dozens of tenants have stepped forward tobecome champions for those who facechallenges through the government’schanges to welfare benefits.

Volunteers from Merseyside, Cheshire and Ellesmere Port arereceiving training and support so that they can help explain thechanges to their neighbours and point them towards help onoffer from Plus Dane and other organisations.

The 26-strong group met for the first time last month to begintheir training on the different changes being introduced and toshare and feedback on ideas about how Plus Dane can helpprepare tenants and offer support.

Chad Thompson, Engagement Manager at Plus Dane,commented: “The first meeting of our Big Benefit Shake Upchampions was a huge success with lots of great feedback,ideas and discussion.

“Tenants are at the heart of everything we do as an organisationand we know from experience that they are often the bestpeople to get the messages out.”

Tenant champions will not only give the message out, they willsend the message back - giving Plus Dane an idea of howpeople are preparing for, and coping with, the changes tobenefit payments.

They will also be challenged to come upwith ideas to help people through thechanges and road test any suggestionswith tenants to see if they are welcome and workable.

The move is part of Plus Dane’s Big BenefitShake Up campaign to support customersthrough the major changes to housing andother benefits.

Plus Dane staff have already visited more than 3,000 tenants to give advice on the changes and are keeping the issue in the spotlight with reports on BBC TV, newspapers anddiscussions with politicians of all parties.

Sheila McNulty, a resident in Liverpool who is one of thevolunteers taking part, said: “I was delighted to be able tovolunteer as a champion to help spread the word about the Big Benefit Shake Up. At our first training session we found out more about the changes and the effects they will have and it brought home the importance of ensuring that tenants areprepared and aware of how they can get support if they need it.There’s a real will from the group to do all we can to help.”

Sheila McNulty

Have a look at thewelfare reform movie on NiTV atwww.youtube.com/plusdanegroup orat www.neighbourhoodinvestor.com

Neston Town HallHigh Street

Looking for a fresh new way to help you get a new home?

Visit HomesHub for a range of beautiful affordable homes across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Contact us on 0845 603 4559 or visit www.homeshub.co.uk

Does your own home feel out of your reach?


Steve West shudders when heremembers the day he thought he and his two boys would end up homeless.

The warehouse worker, a single parentbringing up two boys, fell ill while workingand after having his pay stopped couldn’t afford to meet his monthlymortgage payments.

Facing foreclosure with nowhere else togo he appealed for housing help from hislocal council, who put him in touch withthe Citizens’ Advice Bureau, who told himall about a Mortgage Rescue scheme runby Plus Dane Group’s Homeshub Team.

“I bought this house two years ago andabout a year ago I became so ill I justcouldn’t go on working. I found it veryhard to breathe, went for all kinds of testsand scans and still don’t know what it is,”Steve says.

“I was signed off for nine months but thecompany I was working for at the timewere not very understanding and refusedto pay anything from day one. My incomewent down to £88 a week (statutory sickpay) but I had a monthly mortgage of£468 to pay on a £70,000 home.”

Steve had only been in the Wallaseyhome for 18 months, a place he hadmoved to with his two sons after splittingwith their mother. His emotions were inturmoil as he searched for a way to keepa roof over his family’s heads.

“I thought we are going to lose this home and me and my two boys would be out onthe street with nothing. In desperation I went to mylocal council, explaining wewere about to go under, to seeif there was any way to get onthe list for social housing.

“They recommended I speakto the Citizens’ Advice Bureauto see if there was anythingthat could be done and it wasthem who told me about amortgage rescue scheme runby HomesHub and the Plus Dane Group.

“I was flabbergasted. I didn’tsee how such a thing could exist. They said they’d buy my house and letme live in it.”

Once the ball was rolling, Steve found the process “surprisingly easy” andeventually - as his health improved -found it left him better off financially.

“Without HomesHub and Plus Dane wewould have ended up with nothing.

“They’ve been great landlords and it isalso £70 cheaper to be a Plus Danetenant compared to what I was paying inmortgage. They’ve even let me switch mypayment dates to make it easier for me topay my rent on time.”

Mortgage Rescue is designed to support

vulnerable home-owners facinghomelessness, due to repossession and allows eligible persons to remain in their home. Hundreds of people inMerseyside have been helped since theservice opened in 2009.

The Government scheme is funded by Plus Dane and the Homes andCommunities Agency and either allowspeople to sell their home then becomerent paying tenants, or retain a share ofthe equity in the home and pay a reducedrent on the share they don’t own.

Those who may need help should applythrough their local council, through theHousing Options Team, or speak to theCitizens Advice Bureau.

Stylish contemporary apartments for the over 55’s

Perfect for those looking to downsize or release equityNew ways of buying through shared ownership now available

Visit our Show Home atHinderton Road,

Neston CH64 9TX

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Contact us on 0151 708 4696www.homeshub.co.uk

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Renaissance

The Beautiful North project’s communitycar park on the site of the former AnfieldComprehensive School has scoopedthe Parking in the Community prize atthe British Parking Awards for 2013 heldat London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

The disused site on Priory Road has beenused as a community venture car park onLiverpool FC and Everton FC match dayswhile awaiting redevelopment. The idea came from Beautiful North partnersLiverpool City Council, the Flanagan Groupand Plus Dane Group, who are part of acollaboration of more than 40 public, privateand voluntary sector organisations whohave joined together to deliver change inNorth Liverpool.

By the end of the last football season the car park was hosting 600 cars a match andmade more than £50,000, as well ashelping to reduce match day congestionand litter, and car crime. The project beatcompetition from schemes in London,Aberdeen and the West Midlands to win theaward, and amongst the other winners atthe event was the London OlympicsOrganising Committee. The judges werelooking for innovative thinking, evidence ofworking for, and with,

the local community, and the success inachieving the projects goals.

“The judges were impressed with theBeautiful North aims, how the funding isspent and the operation of the car park,”said Mark Moran, Managing Editor, ofaward organisers, Landor LiNKS. Allpartners in the project agreed that profitsgenerated by the Anfield car park should bereinvested by local residents in projects thatmet the priorities they had identified for theirneighbourhoods.

For example, local resident’s Group, theB.2.U Residents Association, came up withthe idea of investing some of the profits tobuy a ‘Poover’, a machine which clears updog mess, and also pay for a localemployee to clean the streets for theresidents as well as before and aftermatches to keep neighbourhoods lookingclean and tidy.

Irene Taylor, Chair of the B.2.U ResidentsAssociation, said: “This issue of dog foulinghas come up time and time again and localresidents decided that it was time to dosomething about it.

“The damage that dog fouling was causing to our local environment by dog ownerswho don’t clean up after their dogs wasgetting worse, and so we were unanimousin identifying the issue as one of our toppriorities for our neighbourhood. It was from these discussions that the idea of using a poover to keep the streets clean was born and with the help of this funding, we have been able to purchase a machineand create a local employmentopportunity”.

Homeshub save dad and boys from homelessnessNorth Liverpool has come up trumps in the ‘Oscars’ of the parking world


Competition winnersCongratulations to the winners of Ellesmere Port and Neston Open Door Winter magazine. The word search answer was BARK and our lucky winner was Tracey Woodruff of Great Sutton. The word wheel was correctly guessed by Terence Cadman of Ellesmere Port, who also came up with animpressive list of over 600 words, using the letters from TRIANGLES. The prize for each competition was a £25 shopping voucher, well done!Send your entry to Gillian Haynes at Ellesmere Port & Neston, 7-9 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 0AX or email your answer to [email protected].

B L U E M N A R P S E

A E G G S P L E D W I

J S A I E O A B O T N

T U T U R R M H U M H

S H O O T O B L S S L

P A C R I I S B U C Y

R W E U M R F L N K A

I E F E B G A U B O J

N A D K E S I E L P O

G U E N R H R I O V I

Q M G F I S I N G A L

Getting to know neighbourhoods

Spring Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)

Nothing is so beautiful as spring -When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens,and thrushThrough the echoing timber does sorinse and wringThe ear, it strikes like lightnings to hearhim sing;The glassy peartree leaves andblooms, they brushThe descending blue; that blue is all in a rushWith richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

Our wordsearch this time is based on words found in the poem ‘Spring’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Find the words in bold in the grid They can be backwards, forwards, up, down or across. One of the words appears twice. Tell us which one and you could win a £25 voucher!

As part of a new local history featurechosen by Tenants CommunicationsGroup, the Group will look at a point oflocal interest or visitor attraction acrossMerseyside, Cheshire and Ellesmere Portand Neston to help us learn more about the

history of the neighbourhoods we serve. Thisissue looks at Ellesmere Port’s famous National Waterways Museum.

The Canal AgeThe birth of Ellesmere Port started in Ellesmere, Shropshirewhere, in a room of the Royal Oak public house on 31 August 1791, it was decided to build a canal to connect therivers Dee, Severn and Mersey. This was to be the ShropshireUnion Canal, and the Wirral line opened on 1 July 1795, henceEllesmere Port was born. The canal docks were still in use until

the 1950’s, the canal basin then lay virtually untouched until the1970’s which saw the formation of the Boat Museum Society.

The society wanted to build boats and continue the old workingcraft of the canals and rivers. The first public exhibition was held in the summer of 1976, staffed by volunteers. Over the last 35 years the museum has expanded, and has exhibits tosuit everyone. You can explore the history of not only the canals,but the growth ofEllesmere Port andsurrounding area.

Visiting the museumNational WaterwaysMuseum Ellesmere PortSouth Pier RoadEllesmere PortCheshire CH65 4FW

For more details visit the website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum

What is legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a bacterial diseasethat causes a lung infection or pneumonia.

Anybody can catch it, but it is more likely toaffect those who are susceptible because ofage (between 40 and 70), illness,immunosuppression (low immunity) orthrough other lifestyle factors such assmoking.

Can it be passed from person to person?

No, there is no evidence to show that thedisease is contagious.

How could I catch it? People catch legionnaires’ disease byinhaling small droplets of water suspendedin the air which contain the bacteria.

The bacteria have to be in very smalldroplets such as spray from a shower orspray taps - you cannot get legionnaires’disease from drinking water.

What can I do to prevent it?

In domestic properties the risk oflegionnaires’ disease is rated as low. By following some simple guidelines you can ensure that it remains this way.

Legionnaires disease does not appear tomultiply when the water temperature at thetap is below 20oc and above 60oc - this maybe why your hot water cylinder (within acommunal water supply) is set to a hightemperature (see warning signs relating tohot water cylinders).

Water that is left stagnant in your watersystem, with temperatures between 20oc and 60oc is the concern. See how can I protect my water system fromlegionella opposite.

Look out for warning signs of your hotwater cylinder overheating such as:

• Excessive noise or bubbling from the tap or cylinder could be a sign that yourelectric immersion water heater has a fault.

• Hot water coming out of certain cold water taps (some storage cisterns alsofeed cold water taps in the bathroom).

• Steam or moisture in the roof space.

Note: Vulnerable people such as the elderlyor very young may be scalded by even briefexposure to high water temperatures so beaware of the above warning signs.

How can I protect my water system fromlegionella?

Legionella can be found in most watersystems. You can make sure that it remainsat an acceptable level and prevent it fromforming and growing by:

• Running or flushing your taps and showerfor at least two minutes if they have notbeen used for one week or more.

• If your property is empty for long periodsof time i.e. over two weeks, the hot andcold taps and shower should be flushedfor at least 5 minutes and shower headsand taps cleaned externally using hotwater and a suitable detergent to keeplimescale (containing bacteria) undercontrol.

• Ensuring any taps which are usedinfrequently are flushed regularly, such as outside toilets and garden taps.

Reducing the risk of

legionellabacteria and guidance on Legionnaire Disease

Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria that can cause legionnaires’disease. Very few cases of legionnaire’s disease are reported in the UK eachyear, only between 200 and 400, but it is important to be aware of how thebacteria can form and grow, and take precautions around your home.

Peace ofmind atthe touchof abutton...If you live in the Cheshire West and Chester area you could have a Lifeline

- the personal alarm unit with a 24 hour monitoring service. The service isavailable to anyone of any age whowould like to feel safer and moreindependent in their own home, and is available from just £2.96 a week.

The alarm unit can be used to raise analarm call from anywhere in your homeby simply pressing the pendant or thered button on the unit itself. Calls are thenreceived at the monitoring centre wherethe appropriate action can be taken.

Mrs Chamberlain of Great Sutton wasvery grateful for her Lifeline recently,when her husband collapsed in thebathroom. When she pressed herpendant our Central Control teamsummoned the quick response team and paramedics who attended withinminutes to help Mr Chamberlain and get him to hospital.

“I don’t know what I’d have done withoutthe Lifeline. It was literally a lifesaver.”says Mrs Chamberlain. “Some time ago I had a fall during the night. My husbandsuffers from dementia and was unable to help me so I was stuck on the floor for hours trying to get to the phone to call my son to get help. After this I hadmy Lifeline installed. It makes me feelless vulnerable.

“The Central Control staff were wonderfulI am so grateful for their help. Anyonethinking of having a Lifeline installedshouldn’t hesitate. I wouldn’t want to be without it now.”

If you would like further informationplease call Anne Callaghan on 0151 373 2565.

*Unfortunately Mr Chamberlain passed away a short time ago. Plus Dane would like to thank Mrs Chamberlain for giving uspermission to publish this article to highlightthe importance of the lifeline service andoffer our sincere condolences for her loss.

Win a£25

voucher!

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