News-N-Views

2 News-N-Views / Spring 2013
Welcome
Welcome to the spring issue
of News n Views. I hope
you all had a lovely Easter.
First of all, congratulations
to Aspire for being named
the 58th top company to work for in the
Sunday Times 2013 Best Companies
survey as well as being runner-up for
training and development. This is an
excellent achievement and shows that
committed and satisfied staff do provide
a better service to us, Aspire’s customers.
This issue focuses on the welfare reforms
with the Bedroom Tax having now arrived.
Please read the articles carefully – it is
still not too late to do something about
it. If you’re not sure about anything,
don’t be afraid to ask.
There are also articles on the Services
Powered by You week, where Aspire
spoke to more than 200 customers to
find out how it can improve their services.
As a result of listening to your views,
a new emergency repairs system has been
introduced – find out more on page 4.
If you have views on any of the
articles, please let Jane Janaway
know, on 01782 854868 or email
jjanaway@aspiregroup.org.uk
Happy reading!
Mandy Odell, Chair of Customer Panel
Aspire 58th top
company to work for
The Aspire Group has been named
number 58 in the Sunday Times Best
Places to work for. 94% of employees
responded to the survey.
Aspire was also named runner-up in
the Best Companies award category
for training and development, for its
coaching and mentoring programme.
In addition Aspire also maintained
a “one star” accreditation.
Beat the
Bedroom
Tax with a
direct debit
If you have chosen to stay in your home
and pay the bedroom tax, the easiest
way to manage it is by paying your
rent by direct debit.
Direct Debit - the easiest way,
choose paying either every Monday or
monthly on the 1st, 8th, 15th or 25th.
Simply complete a direct debit form
and return it to us and we will arrange
for payments to be taken direct from
your bank account.
A direct debit form can be downloaded
from our website, from the customer
contact centre or call us on 01782 635200
and we will send you one in the post.
Paying by direct debit will mean you
will be included in the incentive
scheme where you can win one of
seven £50 prizes every three months.
Need help getting a bank account?
The Money Advice Team can help.
Online - you can pay your rent online
at www.allpayments.net, you just
need your swipe card and a debit
or credit card to make payments.
By sending a text - first of all you will
need to register for text payments at
www.allpayments.net/textpay,
you will need your swipe card
number and debit card.
By using your smart phone - there is
a free Allpay app that you can download
to your smartphone and pay your rent
using your swipe card and debit card.
By phone - Automated payments
can be made by phoning Allpay
on 0844 5578321. Lines are open
24 hours a day. A swipe card and
your debit/credit card are required.
You can ring Aspire on 01782 635200.
We are here to help - if you are
struggling to pay your rent contact
the Income Management Team on
01782 635200 for help and advice.
Contents
4
7
10
11
13
16
17
19
3. “Services powered
by you”
4. New repairs
service
5. Bedroom Tax
8. Computer course
9. Loan shark money
10. Furniture Mine
11. Tackling antisocial
behaviour
12. Homeless man
helped
13. Neighbourhood
plans
14. You said, we did
15. Affordable homes
16. Customers’
reunion
17. Home for 60 years
18. A day in the life
of: a gas fitter
19. Kidsgrove fun day
20. Wordsearch