Open HOUSE! - Moat

Closer tohomeLocal update for Moat residents living in Sevenoaks - April 2013Open HOUSE!The new Eden Valley Centre had its official opening on 6 March,unveiling a brilliant new community facility in Edenbridge.Youth-focussedThe centre is home to a range ofservices and local service providers,including HOUSE – an initiative partfundedby Moat which offers a safe,proactive and vibrant environment forlocal people.HOUSE is predominantly youthfocussed,with chic leather sofas, stateof the art media equipment, plasmascreen televisions, a games console andPCs. The intention is that the youngerresidents of Edenbridge can hang out,study and socialise there – as well asaccess useful services and support.Wider community benefitsPlans are also in place to utilise thespace during weekdays for the benefitof the wider community. Events suchas job fairs, welfare reform surgeries,money management sessions andmuch more will be on offer. YourNeighbourhood Housing Officer, GillCogger, will be able to have a regularpresence at the centre, enabling youto drop in and discuss your issuesand concerns. The team at Moat isalso looking to work with West KentHousing to offer joint support.Get involvedIf you (or your children) are agedbetween 12 and 18 years old and wantto get involved with HOUSE, pleasecontact Danielle Copeland using thecontact details opposite. Alternatively,keep an eye out for details of upcomingevents at the Eden Valley Centre.A messagefrom DanielleI’m sure you’re all crossing yourfingers for spring to finally arrive – Iknow I am! But, while we wait for theweather to improve, this edition ofCloser to Home should prove a handydistraction!This issue has a real emphasison getting into employment orfurther education. But you’ll alsofind information on the new HOUSEproject in Edenbridge (opposite), aswell as details on changes to servicesin your area.Also, take a look at page fivefor some important information onreporting anti-social behaviour and therole of your local Community SafetyUnit.Now, it’s possible that welfare reformhas already impacted upon you, sincethe new under-occupation rules tookeffect on 1 April. However, differentaspects of the government’s reformswill continue to be rolled out over thenext few months. Please don’t sufferin silence or bury your head in thesand; we’re here to help, so get intouch if you have any questions at all.Similarly, we’d like to hear aboutyour ideas on how to improve yourcommunity. I’m really keen to find outwhat you feel is needed – after all, it’syour community!The next time you hear from me, it’llbe autumn. So, have a lovely summer– here’s hoping it’s a hot one!Contact Danielle:@0845 359 6809danielle.copeland@moat.co.uk

Closer to HomeThe local update for Moat residents living in SevenoaksSoccer AM schemein Sevenoaks?Moat is in the early stages ofobtaining funding for the StreetLeague project – made famousby popular Saturday morningshow, Soccer AM.How it worksStreet League looks to support people intoemployment using the power of football.Moat is looking to bring the project locally tohelp anyone aged between 16 and 35 yearsold who isn’t in education or employment.If the funding is sourced, the course willrun for eight weeks. Each day will be split inhalf, with two hours spent on the pitch andanother two hours spent in the classroom.Of participants who graduate from StreetLeague, 75% are successful in obtainingemployment or further education.Join the teamA fantastic opportunity has arisen for thosewho are currently unemployed and agedbetween 16 and 25.RecruitingConnexions has been busy recruiting forthe next Prince’s Trust Team Programme,which starts on 29 April. The initiative offersthe chance to gain new skills and developexisting ones in a friendly environment, withpeople in similar situations.12 week courseThe Team Programme is a 12 week coursewhich aims to get you into employment,education or training – whichever is bestfor you. During the course you’ll go on afun-packed activity week, learn more aboutthe local community and introduce ways tosupport people within that community.Hunting for fundingWe placed a successful bid with the BourneCharity (the charitable subsidiary of Moat) tofund 50% of the course. We are now in theprocess of finding partner agencies that canmatch that contribution to get the scheme offthe ground.Interested?If this is something you might be interested in,please contact Danielle so she can put yourname on the provisional list. If the funding issecured, you’ll be contacted in due course.Upcoming courseAs the new course is on the verge ofbeginning, you’ll probably need to wait for theupcoming course in September. The courseis completely free and will not affect anybenefits that you may receive. Travel costswill be paid too – so make sure you get yourname down early!Find out moreMore information is available by calling ortexting Clare Alexander on 07725 445 041,or Lara Delaney on 07918 073 758. You canalso visit princes-trust.org.uk to findout more.Don’tget lostonlineThe internet can be aconfusing (and equallydistracting) place. Ifyou’re looking for ajob, it can be veryeasy to lose your way,or to spend time onsites that ultimatelyoffer very little.Here, we’ve listed some ofthe best websites to visitduring your job huntingsessions:• kenttoptemps.co.uk• gov.uk/jobsearch• kenthousinggroup.org.uk• kentjobs.co.uk• vawk.org.uk(for advice on volunteering)• sevenoakscab.org.uk(your local Citizens AdviceBureau).Trying adifferenttactic?The Start UpEdenbridgeproject looks to helpbudding entrepreneursstart their own business. Ifyou have a business idea,contact Clive Pearmanfor support and advice on07802 707 606.Additionally, the HEROproject is always a goodoption. Read more aboutit on the page opposite.HERO:Mike Williams, your local HEROOfficer, is working closely witha number of residents, offeringguidance on housing, welfarereform, employment, training andmuch more.Proven methodSophie Dann is 19 years old andsecured employment through HEROafter just three sessions. She says;“HERO helped me figure out what Iwanted to do and to secure employment.Even though I’m working now, I know if Ihave any questions or need support,Mike is always at the end of the phone.”RebrandingMoat has recently rebranded the project,giving it a bit of a facelift to ensure itcatches everyone’s eye. So you’ll seesome colourful new adverts (much likethis one!) appearing in your local areaand maybe even dropping through yourletterbox.We know that not everyone requiresthe service, but we also appreciate thatindividual circumstances can change atany time. If you find yourself unemployed,struggling with debts or in doubt aboutupcoming benefit changes, HERO willbe there for you.Mike Williams: HERO!Rescuing people fromfinancial turmoilThe HERO project isgoing from strengthto strength, offeringmuch needed supportto people acrossSevenoaks.MoreinformationIf you would like more informationor a referral form, contactDanielle Copeland, yourCommunity DevelopmentOfficer. Her contactdetails are on thefront page.

Closer to HomeThe local update for Moat residents living in SevenoaksIn profile: Kevin Howard,Moat’s NeighbourhoodResponse OfficerMoat has a team of Neighbourhood Response Officerswho work to maintain and improve communities rightacross our operating area. Kevin Howard is yourNeighbourhood Response Officer; so we thought youmight want to get to know him a little…What does the role of a Neighbourhood ResponseOfficer involve?I carry out minor communal repairs, monitor cleaning andgardening, install minor disabled adaptations such ashandrails and shower seats, counteract any graffiti or flytipping, perform minor tree surgery and small gardening jobsand repair fences – and that’s just the basics! So, in short, myrole involves a bit of everything really!How long have you worked at Moat?I’ve been at Moat since September 2010; so a little overtwo years.Which areas do you cover?I look after Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Swanley,Biggin Hill, Edenbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Paddock Wood,Maidstone, Sandhurst and all the areas in between.What are the biggest issues you have to deal with?Residents who fail to recycle correctly pose big issues for me.It’s actually worse than not recycling at all! Some people putrecyclable items into carrier bags and then into the recyclingbin. The dustmen treat this as contaminated recycling andrefuse to take the items, which can lead to the removal ofrecycling bins.Aside from that, fly tipping and damage to communal areasare also fairly tricky issues for me, mostly because of the timeit takes for any issues to be reported to us.How can residents help to combat these issues?Residents can assist us by reporting any of these issuespromptly, so that we can try to identify the best course ofaction. Rubbish left out (or not placed in bins) opens up thepossibility of vermin infestation – which nobody wants! Andof course, it would be great if everyone tried to observe therecycling rules, which I’m happy to explain to anyone who isinterested.What’s the most rewarding part of your role?I love the fact that no two days are the same. I get to meetand talk to all sorts of people – both residents and others whoI bump into on the job. But the most rewarding aspect is thethought of making a difference to people by improving thecommunities they live in.Five questions: Wendy EtheringtonWendy Etherington has been a Moat resident of over 17 years. Within the last year, Wendy has been involved withthe South Area Residents’ Association (SARA). Closer to Home caught up with her for a quick-fire Q and A…How has your relationship been with Moat over the years?Truthfully, there have been a few ups and downs butnothing that would have forced me to seek a new landlord.It has been 17 years – there’s bound to be the odd issue!What do you enjoy most about being involved with SARA?I love that feeling of making a difference to my communityand to my neighbours.Do you have a favourite project that you’ve been involvedin with SARA? The Love Shouldn't Hurt project. It taughtyoung people how to recognize the signs of a harmfulrelationship – a great idea and so relevant these days.What sorts of qualities are needed to become a SARAmember? A sense of humour and patience are thebasics; the ability to listen to others and a strong senseof community would make the perfect SARA member.Finally, how can Moat residents go about joining SARA?Come along to a meeting and talk to us there! If that’snot convenient, people can call Moat and speak to theirlocal Community Development Officer about joining.If you’d like to attend a SARA meeting, the upcomingmeeting dates can be found on the back page.Domestic abuseadvice serviceSevenoaks District Council’s onestop-shopfor victims of domesticabuse is now open every week.Where and when?Victims of domestic abuse are welcometo visit Swanley Children’s Centre (SureStart) Northview, Swanley, BR8 7BTevery Wednesday between 9.30amand 11.30am. The centre is locatedjust around the corner from White OakLeisure Centre.What’s on offer?Free, confidential advice and supportis on offer from Women’s Aid, varioushousing associations, SevenoaksDistrict Council and others.Scrutiny Panelcompletes firstauditFounded in July 2012, Moat’sResident Scrutiny Panel recentlycompleted its first investigation intothe services Moat provides.The panel took an in-depthlook into the way that weadminister customer complaints– and concluded with 17recommendations which webroadly accepted. Work is nowunderway to draw up a detailedresponse in the form of an agreedaction plan, setting out howmanagers and staff will respond tothe panel’s recommendations.Not resting on its laurels, thepanel’s second audit – this timeon our repairs services – is nowunderway. The panel is alsobusy recruiting new members;specifically anyone who rents theirhome from Moat. The successfulcandidates will be named on thepanel’s new web page,moat.co.uk/scrutiny which isexpected to be live by 1 May.No appointments are required; justdrop in and speak to one of thepeople on-hand.Other servicesThe Sevenoaks District CommunitySafety Partnership also works withpartner agencies to deliver otherdomestic abuse services. Forfurther details, please contact theCommunity Safety Unit on 01732227 000 or email community.safety@sevenoaks.gov.uk.Take notice!You may have seen that somenew notice boards have beenput up in Wellingtonia Wayand Atterbury Close. Thesewill be used to display usefulinformation and contactnumbers, as well as to promotelocal services.If you have any suggestionson what could be displayedthere, please get in touch witha member of the Moat team.Remember to check the boardsregularly to keep up to date onwhat’s going on in your area.Moat Promise:next stepsThe Moat Promise wentlive across all of Moat’sneighbourhoods includingSevenoaks on 8 April.What is it?You’ve probably heard all aboutthe Moat Promise by now. Thebasic principle is to promotegreater independence amongour residents by rewarding thosewho abide by their tenancyagreements, or by reducingservices to those who breachthem.What’s next?Those who have been allocated(and maintain) a Four Star ratingwill be able to apply to becomea Five Star member as of 7October 2013. An applicationform will be made available to allresidents nearer the time.For full details of the perksavailable to Five Star members,as well as the eligibility criteriafor membership, take a look atour service brochure entitledOur agreement with you. Thisshould have been posted to youpreviously, but is also available onthe Moat website.Questions?To discuss your star rating, orany aspect of the Moat Promise,please give us a call on0845 600 1006, or emailcustomer@moat.co.uk with yourenquiry. All the key informationabout the Moat Promise is alsoavailable online at moat.co.uk/moatpromise.Five Star Service