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news
The Gateshead Housing Company
Providing excellent homes and housing services January 2013
Youngsters can’t ‘bear’
to see rubbish
- see pages 6 and 7.

2
Welcome to the first issue
of The Gateshead
Housing Company news
for 2013.
In this issue you can see how we have been making
improvements to estates across the borough
with the help of residents of all ages.
There is news about your views on the services
we provide on estates and also what you think
about the rent and charges that pay for essential
day-to-day maintenance.
Local groups have also benefited with support
from our Community Fund.
See throughout the magazine how we have helped
groups in your
area and how to apply for a grant.
And when you have finished
reading this section, flip over for Barbara Dennis OBE DL, BOARD CHAIR -
news for over 50s in here&now. THE GATESHEAD HOUSING COMPANY
What do these symbols mean?
On pages where there is one of these Quick Response (QR)
codes you can get more information by scanning the code
with your smartphone.
Written by the Communications Team - 0191 433 5382 or e-mail communications@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Designed by Pink Fish Creative - 07884 340 749. Photographs by Jill Ancrum, Steve Brock, Ian Clarkin,
Andrew Hepinstall and Ian Scorer. Cover stars: Kieran Burnett and Lisa Price take part in a litter-pick in
Wrekenton. See pages 6 and 7.

A new repairs contract for
Gateshead Council homes has
created new jobs for local people.
Repairs and maintenance provider
Mears has recruited 16 apprentices,
as part of its commitment to the
borough as a whole.
The three-year contract to provide
tens of thousands of repairs a year
to Gateshead Council-owned homes
began in April.
Councillor Catherine Donovan,
Gateshead Council’s Cabinet
member for Housing, said: “We are
Councillor Catherine Donovan and
Jon Mallen-Beadle are pictured with
some of Mears’ new apprentices.
New jobs created from
repairs contract
delighted to see Mears employing
local people and look forward to
seeing the high satisfaction of
customers with the repairs service in
the future.
“It is good news that our customers
will be the ones to directly benefit
from Mears employing local people
to carry out future repairs.”
Councillor Donovan and the
housing company’s Managing
Director Jon Mallen-Beadle
recently met the apprentices at
one of their regular sessions to
plan community activities.
3

4
Residents say
they feel safer
on their estate
Customers have told The Gateshead Housing Company that
they feel safer on their estate compared with last year.
How the housing company and its partners are tackling
antisocial behaviour, as well as how some residents had
experienced such behaviour, also scored well in a recent
survey to 5,000 tenants and leaseholders picked at random.
Satisfaction with the appearance of estates and
neighbourhoods also remained high amongst the 645
returned questionnaires, dropping due to increased pressure
on resources and budgets across the borough.
Grass cutting, street cleaning and dog fouling came out as
customers’ top priorities as the company looks to work with
Gateshead Council to review its service level agreement for
estates in 2013/14.
92.3% of customers
feel at least as safe, if not
safer, on their estate
compared with last year.
This was
up from last
year’s survey
(90.5%)

90.2% of customers think
the housing company and
its partners are doing at least
the same, if not more, to tackle
antisocial behaviour.
22.2% of customers had
experienced antisocial
behaviour during the last year.
79.1% of customers
were satisfied with their
neighbourhood.
64.8% of customers are
satisfied with the appearance
of their estate and how it is
maintained.
66.6% think the housing
company and partners
are doing at least the same, if not
more, to deal with estate
cleanliness.
This was
up from last
year’s survey
(89.5%)
This was down
from last year’s
survey (22.7%)
This was down
from last year’s
survey (81%)
This was
down from last
year’s survey
(73.4%)
This was
down from last
year’s survey
(71%)
5

South Gateshead
6
Above, James Wilcox and Georgia
Bell get tidying during the recent
litter-pick.
Right, youngsters from Larkspur
Community Primary School take a
break from the pick for a pic!

What a load of rubbish
A recent litter-pick with school
children has helped The
Gateshead Housing Company to
tidy an estate in Wrekenton.
Larkspur Community Primary School
took part in a Junior Estate Tour to
make children aware of the negative
impacts litter can have on their
neighbourhood and the
environment.
The short tour,
which started
from the school
itself, led the
class around
their estate to
pick up any
rubbish, and in
particular empty
cigarette
packets, butts
and matches.
Jane Brownlee,
Estate Officer who met with the
children, said: “Apart from the
negative environmental factors
smoking-related and other litter
causes, our tours aim to make
pupils more aware of their
surroundings and considerate
citizens in the future.
“It’s great to find out what younger
residents would like to improve in
their neighbourhood as they offer a
different perspective from our usual
participants.
“Estate Tours are an important way
for local people to get involved to
help make environmental
improvements and build stronger
communities.”
The tour complimented the national
‘No butts, it’s litter’ campaign and
‘Making Smoking History in
Wrekenton’ initiatives.
Both campaigns aim to deter people
from smoking
and raise
awareness of
the effects
rubbish can
have.
Other Estate
Tours take place
across the
borough on a
regular basis.
During these
tours, estates
are ‘graded’ where customers and
officers visually assess the condition,
environment, grounds maintenance,
cleaning and wider issues affecting
neighbourhoods.
By using descriptions and other
guidance, a grade of 'Gold', 'Silver'
or 'Bronze' is awarded.
To take part residents should
contact their nearest housing
office or visit www.gateshead
housing.co.uk/estatetours
7

8
Chris Walker of Northumbria Police
and housing company Estate Officer
Janice Pooley, get across the shed
safety message.
Help keep your shed safe
The Gateshead Housing
Company and Northumbria
Police are reminding residents to
keep their garden sheds safe and
secure.
The work follows an increased
amount of theft from outbuildings
in the south of Gateshead,
particularly in the Springwell area.
The housing company’s website
now has a range of top tips on
keeping personal items safe at
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
shedsafety
Chris Walker, Acting Sergeant from
Northumbria Police, said: “There
have been a number of reports of
theft from garden sheds and other
outbuildings in the Springwell area.
“However simple things like
having a secure lock, installing
automatic security lighting and
marking personal property with
your postcode, can all make a
difference to deterring thieves
and tracing stolen goods.”
Want to know more?
To report antisocial behaviour
call 0191 433 5327 or e-mail
nrt@gatesheadhousing.co.uk

The housing company is on the
lookout for new members to join
its Complaints Panel.
The panel, who meet every other
month, get together to review
complaints made to the company to
identify key trends and any
opportunities for improvement.
Andrea Foreman, Improvement
Manager, thinks the panel gives
residents the power to make a
difference.
She said: “If you think the company
could be doing better in certain
areas then get involved.”
Lynn Paterson, panel member since
2011, said: “The panel gives you a
The Complaints Panel meet
regularly to discuss improvements
to services with housing company
employees.
Panel needs new members
better understanding of how
housing processes work; for
example with repairs - as a tenant
you are often unaware what
happens next once work is reported.
“And it’s empowering to challenge
managers directly if we think
things aren’t progressing as they
should be.”
Want to know more?
Call Andrea Foreman on
0191 433 5482 or e-mail
andreaforeman@gateshead
housing.co.uk
9

Central Gateshead
10
Above, Rebecca Weightman,
standing right, of The Gateshead
Housing Company helps residents
get planting in their ‘pocket’ park.
Right, residents and volunteers
take a break from planting in the
town centre park.

People’s pocket park
pops up at high-rise
Residents of a multi-storey block
in Gateshead town centre have
had the chance to enjoy their very
own park this year with the help
of the housing company and
other local organisations.
Groundwork North East’s
@myurbangreen project created the
mini ‘pocket’
park at the
rear of Regent
Court for
residents of
that block and
nearby
Warwick Court
to enjoy.
The project,
which was
funded by Marks & Spencer and
supported by Gateshead Council,
aims to get urban communities
working together to create their
very own ‘green’ space on their
doorsteps.
The park and allotment were created
with the help of residents to not
only create space to enjoy but also
see them involved in healthy
outdoor activities, such as
gardening.
Countryside volunteers constructed
vegetable beds, a shed and a bench
to rest on after a hard day’s work.
The site is now being well used by
local residents who’ve planted
winter vegetables fruiting shrubs.
An outdoor party was held recently
to celebrate the completion of the
park, with the residents’ allotment
group and the countryside
volunteers who had helped to
create the
space on their
behalf.
As well as
enjoying the
party,
residents
planted a new
hedge line
and some
blackcurrant shrubs.
Rebecca Weightman, Estate Officer
for the blocks was on hand to help
plant the shrubs.
She said: “This project was
successful in bringing residents
together to improve the estate.”
Want to know more?
To find out more about
Groundwork North East projects call
Kelly Anderson on 0191 567 2550
or e-mail kelly.anderson@ground
work.org.uk
11

12
The history and memories of the
soon to be demolished Chandless
estate is being documented in an
arts exhibition this April.
Chandless lives on
An exhibition featuring work by
two artists is set to show the
memories of families living on a
central Gateshead estate.
‘Chandless Lives’ by Sharon Bailey
and Robert Soden is the culmination
of a year long project to celebrate
the history of the Chandless estate.
The exhibition will be held at The
Gallery, Gateshead Central Library
from 25 April to 18 May and
feature Robert’s paintings and
sketches, Sharon’s photographs of
residents with their memories and
stories and a history of the estate.
The current Chandless Estate was
built in the 1960s to replace
terraces cleared in the 1950s.
The whole area is currently being redeveloped
and the majority of
tenants have now been re-housed
or are in the process of finding new
homes.
The project was funded through
the Local Community Fund and
managed by Gateshead Council’s
Arts Development Team.
Want to know more?
Call Gateshead Council’s Arts
Team on 0191 433 8449 or e-mail
karolynnehart@gateshead.gov.uk

A recent course has helped
residents on the lookout for a
new property.
Customers have attended a free
course on Tyne and Wear Homes,
the new way to find a home in
Gateshead and across the region.
Tyne and Wear Homes launched in
September and advertises properties
to rent through Gateshead,
Newcastle, North and South
Tyneside Councils, and their
respective housing associations.
Ruth Rogerson, Senior Lettings
The recent course attracted both
members and non-members of the
scheme wanting to know more
about how the process works,
including how to make the most of
their online account.
Customers learn about
home-finding scheme
Officer, said: “With demand for
social housing being so high, the
session showed attendees how to
apply, how homes are advertised
and making the most of their
online account at
www.tyneandwearhomes.org.uk”
Want to know more?
For more information on
applying for a home visit
www.tyneandwearhomes.org.
uk or call Tyne and Wear
Homes on 0191 433 5345.
13

East Gateshead
14
Above, Rosemary Scales, left, of
The Gateshead Housing Company
helps plan the new toilet facilities
with the help of Sameer Rishi of
Mears and Elizabeth Bell of Leam
Methodist Church.

Church flushed with
success thanks to grant
A Gateshead church is set to make
some much needed improvements
to its vital facilities thanks to
support from The Gateshead
Housing Company and its partners.
Leam Methodist Church in Leam
Lane is set to have a disabled toilet
fitted by the housing company’s
repairs contractor, Mears.
The church, built
in 1959, is
currently looking
to update the
building and its
facilities and
asked for help
from the housing
company’s
Community Fund.
Once built, the
new toilet and baby changing
facilities will help to improve access
to the church and its hall, which is
used by a number of local groups to
host coffee mornings and fairs.
The hall is also used for table top
sales, Weight Watchers, blood
donor sessions, a dance school and
local Brownie meetings.
Rosemary Scales of the housing
company’s Leam Lane office was on
hand recently to help plan the
improvements.
She said: “Our Community Fund is
always keen to support
organisations that bring people of
all ages together.
“We are pleased that our repairs
contractor Mears will carry out the
improvements, which will mean even
more Leam Lane residents are able
to use this excellent local venue.”
The Gateshead
Housing
Company’s
Community Fund
is supported by
Gateshead
Council and
Mears.
It offers cash and
in-kind awards
from £500
upwards to groups that support
people to overcome disadvantage,
create stronger communities and
make Gateshead an even better
place to live.
Want to know more?
To apply for a grant call The
Community Foundation on
0191 222 0945 or e-mail general@
communityfoundation.org.uk
15

16
Mark Ralph of The Gateshead
Housing Company joins local
teenagers at one of the Interface
Project health sessions.
Healthy future lies ahead
A health project for young people
in east Gateshead has been
boosted with funding from the
housing company and its partners.
The ‘Interface Project’ at Brandling
Hall Community Centre, Felling will
use the £5,000 grant to train young
people to educate others in the
area.
Over 200 young people will take
part in workshops led by trained
youngsters who will talk about
health issues.
It is hoped the project will help to
reduce antisocial behaviour, teenage
pregnancies and alcohol abuse in
and around the Felling area.
Mark Ralph of the housing
company’s Felling office, said: “We
wish every success to the young
people who will spread the good
health message to others in the
Felling area.”
Funding came from the housing
company’s Community Fund,
which is also supported by
Gateshead Council and Mears.
Want to know more?
Call Alyson Embleton at the
Interface Project on 0191 421 4515
or e-mail alysonembleton@
gateshead.gov.uk

Are you covered?
We don’t know what’s
round the corner so it’s
good to be prepared.
If you aren’t covered already,
this could be the right time
to seek contents insurance
for your personal items and
effects in your home.
Gateshead Council has
negotiated a contents
insurance scheme with RSA
that allows customers to get
adequate cover in an easy
and affordable way.
From as little as £0.76 for
standard cover, or from
£1.56* including accidental
damage, per week, the
*These figures are
subject to the sum
insured in your home.
Details correct at time
of going to print.
contents of your home
could be insured against
storm or flood, fire, lightning
and more. Full details are
available on request.
And payments can be made
as part of your weekly rent.
This is a voluntary scheme
and you are free to make
your own arrangements.
For more information call
0191 433 5365,
0191 433 5366 or
e-mail rentenquiries@
gatesheadhousing.co.uk.

18
Foundations volunteers Wayne
Clowse and Fred Mills take delivery
of more furniture to be distributed
at low cost to families in need
across Gateshead.
Homes need foundations
A Gateshead charity that provides
low cost furniture to local families
in need is ‘hitting the road’ to
advertise its services.
Teams-based Foundations Furniture
Scheme aims to collect unwanted,
but useable, furniture and then
distribute it to people in need within
the borough.
The scheme’s newly-branded
delivery van is now advertising the
need for furniture to be donated, as
well as its low cost furniture for sale
and removals services.
Linda Wilde, Shop Manager for the
scheme, said: “We are always
looking for donations of furniture
and household items that will help
others in the area.
"For some people it may just be one
or two items they need. Or for
those who were previously homeless
we can help furnish a house from
top to bottom."
The work of the charity is
supported by Gateshead Borough
Churches Together, Gateshead
Council and The Gateshead
Housing Company.
Want to know more?
To donate useable furniture or
to arrange a visit to the scheme’s
shop call 0191 477 8337.

Paying rent should always
be top of your shopping list
For free, confidential advice about rent arrears call:
• Birtley, Springwell, Wrekenton, Leam Lane, Low Fell, Old Fold or Felling -
call 0191 433 5811 or e-mail rentenquirieses@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Gateshead town centre, Teams, Dunston, Whickham, Sheriff Hill or Lobley
Hill - call 0191 433 6150 or e-mail rentenquiriescw@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Blaydon, Ryton, Rowlands Gill, Chopwell or Highfield -
call 0191 433 6235 or e-mail rentenquiriescw@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• Former tenants - 0191 433 5364 or 0191 433 5834 or
e-mail formertenants@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
• You can pay at any PayPoint outlet or Post Office
using your rent payment card
• You can call 0845 149 0002 using your debit or
credit card 24-hours a day
• Why not sign up for Direct Debit? It’s safe, easy
and quick - ask at your housing office for a form
• You can pay online or get a balance at
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/payments
Rent arrears -
don’t let it end in tears
Got a smartphone?
Scan here to pay
your rent online

20
Social housing
size criteria
From April 2013 if you are of working age and
receive Housing Benefit the government state
your payments could be affected depending on
the number of bedrooms you have.
This is due to a shortage of family homes, and the
government’s aim to encourage people to move to a
smaller property to suit their needs.
You will be seen as under-occupying your home if you
have more bedrooms than you need.
The rules allow one bedroom for:
• Each adult or couple
• Anyone over the age of 16
• Any two children under 16 of the same sex
• Any two children under 10 regardless of sex
• Any other child
• An overnight carer.
How will I be affected?
If you have one bedroom
more than the government
say you need, your Housing
Benefit will be reduced by
14% of your eligible rent*.
So if your eligible
weekly rent is
£70 your Housing
Benefit will be
reduced by £9.80.

If you have at least two
bedrooms more than the
government say you need,
your Housing Benefit will
be reduced by 25% of your
eligible rent*.
If you receive partial Housing
Benefit, the criteria will be
the same. If you have two
bedrooms more than the
government say you need,
your Housing Benefit will
be reduced by 25% of your
eligible rent*.
So if your eligible
weekly rent is
£70 your Housing
Benefit will be
reduced by £17.50.
So if your eligible
weekly rent is £80
and your Housing
Benefit £40, the
25% reduction will
be based on your
rent meaning a £20
benefit reduction.
*Rent per week, not including
water rates and other service
charges not eligible for Housing
Benefit.
For more information and advice on the forthcoming
changes to Housing Benefit contact your Rent and
Income Team:
• For Central, Inner West and West
Gateshead call 0191 433 6150
• For South and East Gateshead call
0191 433 5811.
21

Inner West Gateshead
22
Above, Margaret Noble talks to
housing company employees about
plans for the village.
Right, Clasper Village residents
Monika Lon and Greg Mirzajewsky
look at plans for the regeneration
of the estate.

Events update residents
on plans for Clasper
Gateshead Council and the
housing company recently
organised two events to update
residents in Clasper Village, Teams
about long-term plans for its
regeneration.
The first houses will be demolished
in the spring and Gateshead Council
is aiming to appoint a developer
during 2013.
Plans include a
variety of
attractive new
homes, open
spaces and
possibly a new
supermarket.
The events were
used to get local
residents’ ideas to improve cycle and
walking routes, the environment
and types of houses to be built.
Gateshead Council and the housing
company also reassured residents of
their commitment to make sure
Clasper Village stays as safe as
possible by keeping properties
secured until they are demolished.
As residents move out they will
make safe electric, gas and water
supplies, as well as removing items
including valuable fixtures and fittings
such as pipe work and boilers.
Police and housing officers will also
regularly carry out inspections to
ensure the area remains safe and
secure.
The Gateshead Housing Company is
working with tenants to help make
finding a new home as easy as
possible.
Homes have already been found for
more than 70
families, with
others in the first
two areas to be
demolished
receiving urgent
priority for any
properties they
bid for.
Ian Burton,
Housing Manager for the Teams
area, said: “We will keep on
updating tenants, leaseholders
and owner-occupiers about the
plans over the coming months.”
Want to know more?
Call David McCracken at The
Gateshead Housing Company
on 0191 433 6137 or e-mail
davidmcracken@gateshead
housing.co.uk
23

24
Lucy Goldsborough of the housing
company is pictured with local
youngsters doing their bit to keep
Gateshead’s tree population on the
increase.
A tree-mendous effort
Youngsters from three schools
recently helped the housing
company and Gateshead Council
plant trees as part of a national
campaign.
Youngsters from Sacred Heart RC,
Washingwell Primary and Cloverhill
Community Primary Schools joined
the Mayor of Gateshead to plant 40
new fruit trees on unused space at
Kingsway, Sunniside.
The planting was part of efforts in
the borough to support National
Tree Week each November.
The scheme was launched in 1975
to replace losses resulting from
Dutch elm disease, which wiped out
more than 20 million trees.
Lucy Goldsborough from the
housing company’s Dunston office
was on hand to get digging.
She said: “This tree planting session
had a real community feel about it,
especially by involving youngsters
from three local schools.”
The planting was funded by the
Neighbourhood Pride and Local
Community Fund schemes.
Both schemes are supported by the
housing company and Gateshead
Council.
To find out about more local
schemes contact your housing office.

The housing company recently
invited tenants from outside the
borough to check how the
company carries out hundreds of
Estate Tours each year.
The ‘peer review’ of eight estates
was carried out by tenants from
Newcastle, Hartlepool and
Sunderland.
The visits to randomly chosen
estates also included a visit to a
multi-storey block.
Julie McCartney, Head of
Neighbourhood Services for the
housing company, said: “We hold
regular Estate Tours on every estate
to identify issues such as antisocial
Tenants from other parts of Tyne
and Wear tour Springwell estate in
south Gateshead.
The view from the peer
behaviour, environmental
improvements and ways to build
stronger communities.
“Feedback from the peer review
will be used to even further
improve the services we provide
on estates across the whole
borough.”
Want to know more?
To find out when your next
Estate Tour is being held ask at
your housing office or visit
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
whatson
25

26
Rent advice is
well received by
customers
Customers have told The Gateshead Housing Company that
the information they receive about their rent and charges is
useful.
Options to pay rent, such as online or at PayPoint outlets, and
how customers feel they are dealt with by the company also
scored highly in the recent survey to 5,000 tenants picked at
random.
Despite challenging times and increased rents, 95.8% of
tenants who completed the survey (975 out of 1,018) were
still satisfied with the available options to pay rent.
The survey also saw an increase in customers paying their
rent at PayPoint locations, Post Offices and online, with a
reduction in customers making payments at housing offices.
95.8% of customers are
happy with the options
available to pay their
rent and charges.
This was slightly
down from last
year’s survey
(96.9%)

92.9% of customers are happy
with the information sent to them
each February about rent and
charges for the year ahead.
91.4% of eligible customers are
happy with information about how
their Housing Benefit is calculated.
93.3% of customers are
happy with the information they
receive on how much rent
and charges they need to pay.
92.9% of customers thought
they had been treated fairly
when they had contact with the
housing company.
94.4% of customers are happy
with the information provided on
their quarterly rent statements.
This was
down from last
year’s survey
(95.7%)
This was
down from last
year’s survey
(93.9%)
This was slightly
down from last
year’s survey
(94.4%)
This was
down from last
year’s survey
(95.3%)
This was up
from last year’s
survey (93.2%)
27

28
Prize crossword - win a
£50 shopping voucher
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
10 11
12 13
Name: Address:
9
14 15 16
17 18
19 20 21
22 23
24 25
Tel:
Return your completed crossword to: The Gateshead Housing Company news,
Freepost Plus RRZG-CLYL-XKRU, The Gateshead Housing Company, Keelman
House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Fifth Avenue, Team Valley Trading Estate,
Gateshead, NE11 0XA. Deadline for entries: Friday, 15 February 2013.

Across
7. Popular musical based on a
Charles Dickens novel (6)
8. Jeffrey, whose novels include
‘First Among Equals’ and ‘The
Prodigal Daughter’ (6)
10. Jenson Button’s F1 team (7)
11. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces
of silver (5)
12. Old horses in poor health (4)
13. Sandy area for sunbathing (5)
17. Richard, the veteran pop singer (5)
18. Merton, one of the ‘Have I Got
News For You’ captains (4)
22. Basic units of chemical elements (5)
23. Root vegetables, orange in
colour (7)
24. And 5 Down. The Gateshead
Housing Company and
Northumbria Police are
reminding residents to keep
these safe and secure (6,5)
25. And 20 Down. The housing
company carries out hundreds
of these each year (6,5)
Down
1. Severe mental suffering (7)
2. See 14 Down
3. The company set to fit a new
toilet at Leam Methodist Church (5)
4. See 9 Down
5. See 24 Across
6. David Jason plays this television
policeman (5)
9. And 4 Down. It is based at
Brandling Hall Community
Centre, Felling (9,7)
14. And 2 Down. Gateshead Council
and the housing company
recently updated residents about
plans for this area’s regeneration
(7,7)
15. Vegetables or pieces of meat,
deep-fried in batter in Indian
restaurants (7)
16. Roman name for the mythical
Greek hero Odysseus (7)
19. Flat-bottomed boat for carrying
freight on canals (5)
20. See 25 Across
21. A type of musical band often
associated with collieries and
miners (5)
Hint: You will find some answers in this magazine. Good luck!
Well done to Robert Bell of Crawcrook who won a £50 shopping voucher
after being picked at random from hundreds of correct entries to our first
crossword puzzle.
Terms and conditions: The prize crossword is only open to tenants and
leaseholders of The Gateshead Housing Company. Employees of The
Gateshead Housing Company and Gateshead Council are not eligible to
enter. The prize of a £50 shopping voucher will be drawn at random from
all correct received entries. No cash alternative will be offered. The editor’s
decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
29

West Gateshead
30
Above, Eastlands in Winlaton
where a tenant has been told she
must keep her garden tidy or face
eviction.
Right, Sylvia Hendry’s garden
before it was tidied it up as a
result of the court action.

Tenant gets final
warning over garden
The Gateshead Housing Company
has warned a tenant in the west
of the borough that she and her
family face eviction unless they
keep her garden tidy.
Sylvia Hendry, 46, of Eastlands in
Winlaton was taken to court after
complaints from residents about her
overgrown garden and dumped
waste.
Gateshead County
Court granted a yearlong
suspended
possession order after
hearing details of
complaints dating
back to August 2011
about the garden,
rubbish, bulky waste
and the vermin it attracted.
Despite visits by the housing
company and several warnings
Hendry continued to leave her
garden in a state and left the
company with no alternative but to
take legal action.
The possession order was granted to
ensure Hendry keeps her garden
clean with the company then having
the right to evict her if she doesn’t.
Neil Bouch, The Gateshead Housing
Company’s Director of Customers
and Communities, said: “We want
to help people feel happy in their
homes and we will not tolerate the
unreasonable behaviour of a small
minority of tenants whose
behaviour causes a disturbance to
other residents.
“Hopefully this court action will
ensure the garden is tidied on a
regular basis for her own, as well as
for the benefit of
others in the area.
“The housing
company will
continue to work
with Gateshead
Council, the police
and the courts to
reduce the threat of
antisocial behaviour
of any kind across the borough.”
Residents wanting to report any
type of antisocial behaviour
should contact their nearest
housing office or call 0191 433 5327
from Monday to Friday until 7pm.
Want to know more?
Antisocial behaviour can also
be reported online at
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
asb or by e-mailing
nrt@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
31

32
A number of streets in Chopwell are
part of a scheme that forces
landlords to be licensed and
properly manage their privatelyrented
flats.
Payback time for landlord
A landlord in west Gateshead has
been ordered to pay back more
than £5,000 of rent after being
convicted of operating without a
licence.
Mark Robson, of Sunnybrae,
Greenside, was handed a Rent
Repayment Order for £5,219.77 for
renting out a flat in Chopwell
without a licence.
In this case, as the tenant of the
property was receiving Housing Benefit,
Gateshead Council will reclaim the rent.
The flat in Chopwell is in one of a
number of areas in Gateshead
where a landlord licensing scheme
operates to ensure properties are
properly managed.
Mr Robson had already been found guilty
by Gateshead Magistrates in
September of operating without a
licence.
It is a criminal offence to operate a
privately rented property without a
licence in Chopwell and parts of
Bensham.
Parts of Swalwell are set to follow
in early 2013.
Want to know more?
To find out more about the
scheme call Gateshead Council
on 0191 433 2956.

Sheltered accommodation across Gateshead
sheltered homes
Secure, supported,

19
Front, left to
right, Michelle
Muldoon Smith,
Haley Leadbitter
and Julia Burn.
Back, left to right,
Julie Devine,
Christine Potts
and Hazel Forster.
Christine Potts - central and inner west neighbourhoods, and the
Hole-in-the-Wall estate in Blaydon
Tel: 0191 433 8971 E-mail: christinepotts@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Haley Leadbitter - south and east neighbourhoods
Tel: 0191 433 6123 E-mail: haleyleadbitter@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Julia Burn - west neighbourhood
Tel: 0191 433 6219 E-mail: juliaburn@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
You can contact your Sheltered Housing Estate Officers on:
And Julie Devine is covering
the Administration
Assistant’s position while
Danielle Hazeldine is on
secondment to Wrekenton
housing office.
on a part-time basis with
Michelle Muldoon-Smith.
Hazel Forster now jobshares
the Older Persons’
Housing Manager role
There have been some
changes to the team who
look after older persons’
services since the last
issue of here&now.
Contacting your Sheltered
Housing Management Team

Caption
For more information call
Norman Minto, Chairman,
on 0191 420 9407.
The group is supported by the
Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief,
Gateshead Council, Gateshead
Voluntary Organisations
Council, The Community
Foundation and the housing
company.
Tenants were also treated
to a performance by
schoolchildren from Corpus
Christi Primary School, who
they plan to work with on
future projects.
Bensham Court Tenants’ Association
celebrate their success with Corpus
Christi Primary School children.
Highlights of the year were
demonstrated to attendees,
including a show reel of their
Jubilee celebrations.
Bensham Court Tenants’
Association recently held
an event with the charity
to demonstrate the work
carried out for the benefit
of residents and the local
community.
A recent showcase of
activities at a multi-storey
block highlighted the
work of a tenants’ group
with Equal Arts.
It’s showtime!
18

17
Customers can also keep abreast with information from
the housing company’s Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/
gatesheadhc using the hashtag #gatesheadwinterwarmers
online at www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk or on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/gatesheadhousingcompany
“We can’t predict the weather
but it’s good to be prepared
and keep up to date with
developments at the housing
company, Gateshead Council
and our partners.”
Russell Urwin, Repairs
Partnership Manager at the
housing company, said: “In
recent times the region has
seen unprecedented weather
conditions, from freezing
temperatures to snow and
flooding.
The guide, available
to download at www.
gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
winterready has been sent
to all sheltered schemes and
is being passed to customers
as they interact with housing
company employees and
contractors.
‘Be ready for winter with The
Gateshead Housing Company’
is a 24-page magazine that
offers guidance for around
the home, staying fit and
well, and service and travel
updates to ensure residents
are prepared no matter what
the weather.
A free guide will help
residents get through the
winter months.
Top tips ‘weather’
it’s good or bad

To find out more about the
friendship groups or the
work of the assembly call
0191 438 1721 or visit
www.gatesheadolder
peoplesassembly.co.uk
By forging these links
‘Friendship Groups’ will be
established, with members
choosing the activities they
want to take part in.
Assembly volunteers will visit
sheltered schemes and other
residents to build contacts
between them.
Club members (left to right) Iris
Dodds, Irene Miller, Margaret
Vickers and Pauline Wallace
with Haley Leadbitter from The
Gateshead Housing Company,
Councillor Catherine Donovan
and Esther Ward, Chair of the
Gateshead Older People’s Assembly.
Gateshead Older People’s
Assembly has been awarded
£4,885 from the housing
company’s Community Fund to
set up a number of ‘Friendship
Groups’ to support older
people facing social isolation.
Lonely and isolated people
across the borough will
soon be able to make new
friends thanks to funding
from The Gateshead
Housing Company and
partners.
Grant bringing
people together
16

15
For more information on the
services available during the
winter months contact your
sheltered scheme officer.
• Recognise the signs of
hypothermia. There
are different levels of
hypothermia, with older
people being one of
the most at risk groups.
Shivering can be used as
a guide as to how severe
the case may be. The
different degrees can be
found at www.nhs.uk/
Conditions/Hypothermia/
Pages/Symptoms.aspx or
alternatively contact your
GP if you are concerned
about your or a friend or
family member’s condition.
• Stay active as exercise is good
for your overall health and
can help to keep you warm
• Eat well with regular and
varied meals, including
five portions of fruit and
vegetables, and have plenty
of hot drinks
• Get an annual flu jab -
contact your GP or
pharmacist for more
information
The government has produced
a range of tips to keep
yourself fit and healthy
throughout the colder climes:
It’s important to remain
healthy over the winter
months to reduce the risk
of illness and to protect
yourself from the cold.
Stay healthy this winter

If you know of a special
birthday or occasion coming
up, contact your sheltered
scheme officer or the
here&now Communications
Team on 0191 433 5386.
Harry was in party mode
too. He said: “Thanks to
everyone who came along to
say happy birthday to me -
it was a great day.”
Ernie, who has lived in East
Lea with his wife Gladys
for 26 years, said: “It was
an honour to receive well
wishes from Her Majesty;
and to celebrate with so
many family and friends.”
Ernie counts his cards from well-wishers and
proudly shows his telegram from the Queen.
Harry at his party with Sheltered Scheme
Officer Sharon Ralph.
Both gents celebrated with
friends and family in their
schemes - and Ernie proudly
received a card from Her
Majesty the Queen no less.
Ernie Erington of East Lea in
Blaydon, and Harry Pearson
of Kateregina in Birtley, both
toasted 100 and 80 years
respectively.
There were quite a
few candles to blow
out for this Gateshead
pair at recent birthday
celebrations.
100 and 80
14

13
To find out more call
0191 477 5775 or visit
www.equalarts.org.uk
Neil Bouch, Director of
Customers and Communities
at the housing company, said:
“Equal Arts’ project is ideal
for stimulating residents’
minds and encouraging social
interaction.”
music, drama or storytelling
to develop themes based on
attendees’ past experiences.
Previous arts projects
across the borough
have helped residents
with dementia.
The sessions, aimed at older
people with disabilities,
dementia or mobility issues,
will incorporate art, dance,
Gateshead-based Equal Arts
will use the funding to run
arts sessions at residential care
schemes.
An arts project for older
people has received £1,500
thanks to The Gateshead
Housing Company’s
Community Fund and
partners.
Home is where
the art is

Alternatively drop-in sessions are held every Tuesday and
Thursday between 10am and 3.30pm at Age UK Gateshead,
341-343 High Street, Gateshead, NE8 1EQ.
For more information on
other available services call
0191 477 3559 or e-mail
admin@ageukgateshead.org.uk
Ann Marshall from Age UK
Gateshead said: “Our aim is to
reduce social isolation in older
people by making sure they
have access to services to allow
them to live independently.”
• Timebank projects that
encourage residents of
all ages to exchange their
skills for the benefit of the
community.
• Bereavement support
pilates, yoga, linedancing,
chess club, Nordic walking,
gentle exercise to music
• A wide range of exercise
and activity classes,
including walking groups,
Tai Chi, ballroom dancing,
• An advocacy service to help
people express their views;
and one to assist those with
cancer
• Information and advice on
housing, care, and benefits
checks
• Daycentres and social
groups for people who
are isolated, frail or
housebound
The charity, which changed
its name from Age Concern
Gateshead, can offer residents:
Age UK Gateshead is a
local charity that provides
a range of services and
activities for older people
across Gateshead.
Services for Gateshead’s
older generation
12

11
Hazel Forster, Older Persons’
Housing Manager, said: As
well as the conversions,
additional investment was
made to ensure the homes
were brought up to today’s
energy efficiency standards in
partnership with Warm
Zone.”
Peggy Clark, 82, who lives in
the scheme said: “I am much
happier here now that I have
a separate bedroom; I have a
lot more space.”
review of older people’s
accommodation.
Jonathan Kitson from
Gateshead Council and
Haley Leadbitter from the
housing company welcome
Peggy to her new home.
The scheme’s original
24 bedsits have been
transformed as part of a
McErlane Square has seen
more than £600,000 of
improvements, including new
kitchens and windows, thanks
to The Gateshead Housing
Company and Gateshead
Council.
Work to convert
unpopular bedsits into
more spacious one-bed
flats is now complete in
Pelaw.
Peggy praises new
home in Pelaw scheme

For further information on seeking permission or ensuring
you are meeting the guidance, contact your sheltered housing
estate officer or visit www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/scooters
• What to do if you already
own a scooter.
• Having adequate cover
against damage
• Charging batteries
• Storage, including
alterations to the home
• Seeking permission
Guidance for residents living
in sheltered schemes, low- and
high-rise flats covers:
“But before purchasing
a scooter, it is important
residents consider how they
will accommodate the vehicle
in their home.”
make a real difference to
people’s lives, enabling them
to continue to partake in
everyday activities outside of
the home.
Hazel Forster, Older Persons’
Housing Manager, said:
“Mobility scooters can
The Local Government
Association guidelines on
fire safety in purpose-built
blocks of flats (July 2011)
advocate that landlords
adopt a ‘zero tolerance’
approach to storage of any
items in communal areas, and
specifically recommend that
landlords ‘never allow the
charging of mobility scooters,
batteries or other electrical
equipment in common parts’.
The housing company
has been working with
Gateshead Council and
customers to draft
guidance on the rules of
keeping a mobility scooter
at home.
Guidance for residents
with mobility scooters
10

9
Call us on 0191 533 5356 to find out more or visit
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/whatson
More sessions are available across the borough.
Thursday, 7 February at 2.30pm
Rectory Hall, Whickham
Thursday, 7 February at 10am
Denton View, Winlaton
Wednesday, 6 February at 10.30am
Sun Hill, Sunniside
Tuesday, 5 February at 11am
Kateregina, Birtley
Tuesday, 5 February at 10.30am
Birtley Villas 26-50, Birtley
Tuesday, 5 February at 10am
Birtley Villas 1-25, Birtley
Monday, 4 February at 2pm
Kays Cottages, Windy Nook
Friday, 1 February at 10.30am
Dewentside, Swalwell
Thursday, 31 January at 10.30am
Croftside, Birtley
Thursday, 24 January at 10.30am
Cheshire Avenue, Birtley
Even if you can’t attend, your officer can arrange to visit you at
home or in your communal lounge.
If you want to meet with your sheltered housing estate officer
for a friendly chat, why not come along to one of our drop-in
sessions?
Drop in for
a cuppa and
have your say

She said: “’Betty’ is the most
sociable of the hens but
they’re all lovely, and it’s good
to have fresh eggs every day!”
Resident Betty Frost has been
getting to know her new
neighbours well.
Councillor Peter Mole MBE,
Gateshead Council’s champion
for older people, said: “This
is a great initiative to bring
residents together.”
care settings across Gateshead
as part of a health and
wellbeing programme for
older people.
Left to right, Betty
Frost, Councillor Peter
Mole and the housing
company’s Lynne
Walker meet the
other ‘Betty.
Equal Arts grant has allowed
the charity to work with eight
Rose, Doreen, Joyce, Roslyn,
Nancy, Betty, Belle and Pam
have been settling in to their
new surroundings.
Wood Green has introduced a
chicken coop to its communal
gardens to encourage regular
physical activity and social
engagement between residents.
The arrival of eight new
residents to a sheltered
scheme in Bill Quay has
been ‘egg’cellent.
New residents are high
up in the pecking order
8

7
Wood Green, Bill Quay
Harrison Court, Birtley
East Lea, Blaydon
Mosspool, Winlaton
Emmaville, Ryton
Conifer Close, Winlaton

For more information visit www.macmillan.org.uk
MacMillan Cancer
Support provides practical,
medical and financial
assistance to sufferers of the
disease, their friends and
family.
Eric Jubb, Administration
Officer at the housing
company, who
coordinated the event
with schemes, said:
“This event has
a real sense of
community about
it as it gets people
together, and
raises money at
the same time.”
Many thanks to all those who
took part at Conifer Close,
Winlaton; East Lea, Blaydon;
Emmaville, Ryton; Harrison
Court, Birtley; Mosspool,
Winlaton; and Wood Green,
Bill Quay.
By making
donations in
exchange for a cup
of tea, coffee, cakes and
snacks, housing company
employees and sheltered
scheme residents raised this
considerable sum for the
worthy cause.
MacMillan
Cancer
Support’s annual
‘World’s Biggest
Coffee Morning’
encourages groups
to come together
and raise money
over a cuppa.
The Gateshead Housing
Company, together with
sheltered schemes across
the borough, has helped
to raise more than £1,300
for a national cancer
charity.
Coffee mornings have
‘bean’ a great success
6

5
For more information on
welfare reform and how
you may be affected call
0191 433 4646 or e-mail
benefitenquiries@
gateshead.gov.uk
A savings limit of over £16,000
for Pension Credit may also be
introduced.
Because Child Tax Credit is
also being abolished, Pension
Credit will include additional
amounts if you have
dependent children.
From October 2014 for new
claimants, and between 2014
and 2017 for those already
receiving Housing Benefit, a
new housing credit will be
introduced to help with rent.
Because Housing Benefit is
being replaced by Universal
Credit, Pension Credit itself
will change.
Changes to Pension Credit
*Pension Credit age means
the age at which you can
claim Pension Credit. Contact
the Pension Service on
0800 99 1234 for more
information.
• You are working in a low
paid job and over Pension
Credit age*, you will no
longer be able to claim
Working Tax Credit and
instead may have to claim
Universal Credit.
• You have dependent
children living with you
as Child Tax Credit will be
abolished and help will be
provided in the form of
Universal or Pension Credit
You may also be affected if:
In this case, you may have to
claim Universal Credit.
However if you become
pensionable age after October
2013 but your partner is not,
you may still be seen as being
a ‘working age’ couple.
in your claim after which the
new rules may apply.

You will not be affected by
Universal Credit if you are
already claiming Pension
Credit, unless there is a break
Universal Credit will come
into effect in Gateshead
from October 2013 onwards,
replacing certain benefits.
Universal Credit
These changes mostly affect
people of a working age, but
in some cases may have an
impact on older residents.
The Welfare Reform Act
comes into effect from
April this year and will
see major changes to the
benefits system.
Welfare Reform Act -
the effect on older people
4

To contact The Gateshead Housing Company Communications Team call 0191 433 5386
or e-mail communications@gatesheadhousing.co.uk
Registered Office: The Gateshead Housing Company, Keelman House, Fifth Avenue
Business Park, Fifth Avenue, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.
Councillor Peter Mole MBE
Gateshead Council’s champion
for older people
So if you have a tale you’d
like to tell, get in touch
with the Sheltered Housing
Management Team (see
page 19).
It’s great to see so many
stories from sheltered
schemes and groups across
the borough, including how
tenants helped to raise more
than £1,300 for a cancer
charity (see pages 6 and 7).
pages 20 and 21.
Happy new year from
everyone at here&now.
EMS 558159
Photographs by Ian Clarkin; Jill Ancrum; Steve Brock.
Registered in England and Wales No. 4944719.
The Gateshead Housing Company
And if you flip this magazine
over, you can find out more
about the impact of Social
Housing Size Criteria for
working aged people on
On pages 4 to 5 you can see
the potential effect on older
residents.
This April will arguably see the
most significant changes to
welfare in more than 60 years.
Now that
Christmas
is over for
another year, it’s time to
look forward to what the
housing company and
Gateshead Council have in
store for 2013.

January 2013
Services for a brighter future
Many royal
returns for
Ernie -
see page 14.