In Touch winter 2007 - Teign Housing

Your magazine from Christmas issue: Winter 2007Need extrasupport? Page 19INSIDE THIS ISSUE:Win £25turn to the back pageGood neighbourawardPage 7

Welcome to In TouchWelcome to your Winter issue of In Touch. Read on for lots of usefulinformation about your homes and communities.We’ve got festive ideas to keep the kids entertained during the schoolholidays with their own feature pages full of things to make and do. Don’tworry if you’re a little older – we still have our competition for you on theback page. Give it a try and you could win £25.Enjoy the holiday season!The editorial teamCOVER PHOTO - Tina and Niki from Teign Housing’sCommando Challenge teamIs this clear?Do you or someone you know have any difficulty reading thismagazine? In Touch is available in large print, Braille, translatedinto your choice of language or on audio cassette or CD - pleasecall 01626 322722 (Minicom 01626 322797) or e-mailintouch@teignhousing.co.uk to request a copy.In Touch is written by an editorial board made up of customers, BoardMembers and staff. Thanks to everyone who has helped put together thisissue or sent in articles, including Frances Axon, Gary Cooper, Bill Field,George-Alfred Husband, Hazel Ripping, Stuart Stone, Robert Walkerand Bob Yabsley. If you’d like to get involved, please contact us on01626 322722 or e-mail: intouch@teignhousing.co.uk You can alsocontact Robert Walker (editorial board member) on 01626 353519 withyour ideas.This magazine is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests.qContact usIf you are deaf, hard of hearing, speech–impaired or deafblind you can contact ususing the free Typetalk service. Simplydial 18001 before the number yourequire (remember you’ll have to includeour area code 01626 even if you’recalling from the same area).Repairs hotline and gas repairsFREEPHONE: 0800 1979790repairs@teignhousing.co.ukq@Customer servicesWhatever your query regarding yourhomes – our Customer ServicesAdvisors are here to help.q 01626 322722 Monday-Thursday8.30am-5pmFriday 8.30am-4.30pm@ info@teignhousing.co.ukMinicom: 01626 322797Teign Housing, Templar House,Collett Way, Newton AbbotTQ12 4PH.www. www.teignhousing.co.ukPlanned maintenanceq 01626 322717planned@teignhousing.co.uk@Getting involvedFor information on your local tenantgroup, the Tenants’ Forum, ShelteredPanel or how you can get involved.q@01626 322750getinvolved@teignhousing.co.ukTeignCare community alarm01626 355135teigncare@teignhousing.co.ukq@TeignCare Control Centre, Freepost(SWB30849) PO Box 228, NewtonAbbot, TQ12 4ZZ.Calls to Teign Housing may be recorded.Teign Housing is a Registered SocialLandlord number: LH4403VAT Registration Number: 825180931Registered Charity Number: 11121962

Pregnant?If you are pregnant this could affect your Selectahome membership.Teign Housing has recently been working with Teignbridge DistrictCouncil to review some areas of the housing allocations process. Wehave agreed that there is a need to treat an expected child in the sameway that we treat an existing child. Up until now a new baby has notbeen taken into account by Teign Housing until it was born. We nowrecognise that in some cases people who are expecting a baby mayneed a larger home or have a more urgent need to move.For further information please contact our Moving Homes Team on01626 322722.We will need evidence that you are pregnant such as a letter, or MATB1,from your GP or midwife before we can make any changes to yourmembership.If you are on the Teignbridge District Council register of housing needthen you should also contact them on 01626 361101 so that yourapplication can be updated.NewsEGMAn Extraordinary General Meeting washeld on 12th September. Membersof the company voted to changethe Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation (the document which setsout how we will run the company)to allow for the payment of Boardmembers. Following the EGM TeignHousing currently plans to pay theChair and Vice Chair of the Board andthe Chair of the Audit Committee.Repairs contract signedOn 13th September representatives ofTeign Housing and Ian Williams metto sign the new responsive repairscontract. The contract runs for 3years.Groundsmaintenance updateThe present contract for grounds maintenance is due to finish at theend of 2007. Over the last few months we have been creating thespecification for the new contract based on feedback received from youthrough satisfaction questionnaires and workshops. We have improvedthe specification to ensure that the service you receive meets your needs.Communal grass cutting (weather dependent)We will aim to cut the majority of sites every 10 days.Hand-held and ride-on mowers will be used in the majority of areas butstrimmers will be used where this is not practical.Cuttings will not be removed unless the grass has not been cut for morethan 14 days.HedgesHedges will be cut twice a year.Shrub bedsShrub beds will be maintained 4 times a year. Shrubs will be pruned andthinned out as necessary.TreesWe will continue to survey trees to ensure that they do not become asafety hazard.Once the new contractor is chosen, the relative costs of the service willbe calculated. We can then inform you of any service charge implication.Competition winnerCongratulations to Marjorie Parker ofKenn, who had the first correct entrypulled out of the hat for our wordsearch in the last edition of In Touch.Marjorie wins a £25 gift voucher.To take part in this month’scompetition, turn to the back page.New tenancyagreementThank you to everyone who respondedto our consultation about theproposed new tenancy agreement.We have had a really positive responseand the Board met in December toapprove the new agreement.We will be sending new tenancyagreement to all current tenants soon.Sign and return your agreement to beincluded in a £100 prize draw!3

Improvement programme updateImprovement works completed from April to September 2007Stub it out!Did you know that cigarette buttsare the most common cause oflittering? Cigarette butts can alsoseriously damage the environment.Many will be washed into drains andtransported to streams and riverswhere the tar left in the filters cancause damage to wildlife. Not onlythat but littering by dropping acigarette butt can cost you an onthe-spotfine of up to £80.Since the ban on smoking in enclosedpublic places came in on 1st Julyour caretakers have reported a highnumber of cigarette butts beingdropped outside the entrances toblocks of flats. Please bear in mindthat this is littering and make surethat you and your visitors dispose ofcigarette butts in a responsible way.Teign Housing is planning to providecigarette bins for some blocks in thenear future. If you think your blockwould benefit from a bin please callus on 01626 322722.If you’re considering giving upsmoking and would like some help theNHS runs smoking cessation clinics atthe following venues:Teignmouth Hospital - Monday 5pmto 7pm appointment onlyCourtenay Centre, Newton Abbot –Wednesday 5pm to 7pmChurchill Community Centre,Dawlish – Thursday 10am to12 noon appointment onlyKingsway Meadow Centre,Teignmouth - Thursday 2pm to 4pmappointment onlyThe sessions offer one-to-one adviceand support as well as nicotinereplacement therapy (such as patchesand gum) on prescription. Forappointments call 01626 357010.Improvement Actual TargetKitchens 393 157Bathrooms 397 187Re-wiring 205 216Windows 179 175External decorations 338 498External doors 548 526Smoke detectors 68 286New heating installations 134 175Improved security for residentsunder threat of domestic violenceTeign Housing is pleased to announce that we are now in a position to offerenhanced security to victims of domestic violence. As a responsible landlord,we already offer support to any person who is threatened with or sufferingfrom violence and our first priority is always to ensure the safety of thevictim. These changes should help to allow victims to remain in their homerather than feeling forced to move - disrupting education, employment andfamily networks.A dedicated “enhanced security” budget has been approved to providereinforced external door and window locks, provision of a secure room anda mobile telephone to call the police. To create a secure room in a home wereplace the internal door with a security door which opens outwards and hassteel hinges, bolts and a door viewer. These measures make it incrediblydifficult to get past.We are working with MARAC Rural – Multi Agency Risk AssessmentConferencing - a new information-sharing network to help victims ofdomestic abuse and their families across Teignbridge, the South Hams andWest Devon.MARAC Rural, has been introduced to identify those victims of domesticabuse who are most at risk of experiencing violence in the future. TeignHousing regularly attends MARAC meetings to identify those who will needmore intensive support or enhanced security and to make agencies aware ofthe most dangerous offenders. Other attendees at MARAC include the Police,Social Services, the Primary Care Trust, Probation Service and Victim Support.Please contact your Neighbourhood Services Advisor if you have anyconcerns about domestic violence.4

In Touch meets… Peter WharfWhy did you want to become the Chair ofTeign Housing?A year ago I had a heart attack and decided to give upthe stresses of a high-powered corporate job. It mademe re-evaluate what I wanted to do. I wanted to givesomething back and working for a charity like TeignHousing was the perfect opportunity for me. I didn’t wantto stop all together – I need to keep my mind active!You live in Dorset, why join a HousingAssociation in Devon?I lived in Devon as a younger man. At 17 I was workingin Torquay delivering films on a scooter! I’ve also spentmany happy holidays on Dartmoor and have family wholive in the area.What inspires you about Teign Housing?You need to have a passion for what you’re doing andenjoy being in a people-centred business.The enthusiasm of the staff has really struck me since Ijoined the company. We’ve been through supervision andout the other side and have seen quite high staff turnoverbut the overwhelming feeling you get when you’re in theoffice is that the staffing body is friendly, enthusiastic andup for the challenge.What do you think about the Chief Executive?Mike’s enthusiastic and full of ideas. He’s doing a brilliantjob and the Board is very supportive of him.What’s the biggest challenge Teign Housing is facing?The promises made to tenants at transfer are our biggestchallenge and our biggest focus. I’m personally verycommitted to making sure that those promises are metand I’m under no illusion that we’ll have to work hard tomeet them. Our priority at the moment is to focus on ourcore business and get that right. We have a responsibilityto tenants to concentrate on improving our homes andservices.What do you like to do in your spare time?I’m an outdoor sort of person, I enjoy cycling and walkingwith my two dogs. I like my rugby too and referee RugbyUnion. I find that really rewarding, especially with juniorgames. Rugby shows young people what appropriatebehaviour is, how to work as a team and teaches themgood values.From L-R Shelley Hale, Peter Wharf and Suzanne Brown5

Commando challengeStaff from Teign Housing pulled on their combats andlaced up their boots to race round the Royal Marinestraining course on Woodbury Common near Exeter.The team of ten battled their way around the 3 milecourse crawling through sewer pipes, wading throughchest deep water and trying to escape the mud filledcroc pit.The highlight of the course was the sheep dip, a diveinto the dark through a 2 metre long underwatertunnel. As well as a few bruises the team came awayhaving raised over £750 for charity.Molly Holmes, Director of Operations and a memberof our commando challenge team said, “It wasa fantastic team effort, we certainly weren’t thefittest team on the course but what everyone hadin common, was a great sense of humour, thewillingness to raise loads of money for charity, adesire to get wet, very cold and covered in mud!”.The charities benefiting from the event are:The Gemini Radio Charitable TrustDREAM-A-WAYThe Elisabeth Svendson Trust for DonkeysThe Teign Housing Team muddy but still smiling6

Room to growTeign Housing and Teignbridge District Council arelaunching an exciting new project to seek the views oftenants living in housing with unused bedrooms. Thereare many hundreds of local families who have been onthe housing waiting list for years and are desperatefor more rooms in which to raise their children. Lots ofolder tenants will have raised their own families andnow have one or two bedrooms to spare, or may befinding their homes too expensive to maintain. Theproject will seek to match these people up.In Teignbridge there is an acute housing shortage andit is time to make best use of the houses availableso that the next generation can have an improvedstart in life. Teign Housing and TDC have askedBrian Moore, an independent adviser, to work withtenants who have extra rooms to find out what wouldencourage them to move to smaller, more manageablehomes. This project will try to take the worries outof moving to a smaller home and make the processsmooth, painless and at no cost. Help in vital areassuch as choosing a new home, dealing with removals,organising the transfer of gas, electricity, telephonesand organising ongoing support to help in the newhome will be key elements of this service.Brian has 25 years experience of helping people withall aspects of housing and will be working impartiallywith those involved to ensure that the scheme is fairand no one is forced to do anything they don’t want to.Brian says, “I’m really looking forward to getting outand about in Teignbridge and meeting people. We reallywant to hear from local people what sort of housingthey need for the future and to do our best to give itto them.” A vital part of this work will be collectingthe views of local people, and Brian will be contactingthose tenants who may be interested in the scheme inthe near future.When neighboursbecome good friendsThe first annual open Teign Housing Good NeighbourAward is underway and to all Teign Housing residents.As a Teign Housing resident you can nominate anotherTeign Housing resident for the Award. Simply complete thenomination form below providing the details of the personyou are nominating and your reasons for nominatingthem. Nomination forms are also available from ourCustomer Services team on 01626 322722 and on ourwebsite, www.teignhousing.co.uk. The deadline fornominations is 14th February 2008.Nominations will be considered by a judging panel of threetenants, two members of staff and one Board member.The panel will short list the nominations received and maycontact the person who is nominating to find out moreinformation.The winner of the Good Neighbour Award 2007 will beinformed by 1st March 2008 and will receive £100 inshopping vouchers.A photograph of the winner and nominator, along withtheir story will feature in a future edition of In Touch.If you need any further information about the GoodNeighbour Award, please contact Shelley Hale on 01626322813 or email shelley.hale@teignhousing.co.ukDetails of Persons being nominated:Name:_______________________________________Address:______________________________________Postcode:_____________________________________Contact Telephone No:_ _________________________Please explain why the above person shouldreceive the Teign Housing Good Neighbour Award:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Details of Person nominating:Name:_______________________________________Address:______________________________________Postcode:_____________________________________Contact Telephone No:_ _________________________7

Children’s pageKids colouring competitionDavina Layton Molly Tose Jasmine DiamondWell done to everyone who entered our last colouringcompetition. We had so many entries and they were allfantastic. Our lucky winners this time are6 years and under Davina Layton7 to 9 years Molly Tose10 year and over Jasmine DiamondAll three get a £10 gift voucher.For your chance to be a winner in the next edition ofIn Touch, get out those pens, pencils and paints andget colouring our latest picture – a wintry snowmanand sledging scene! Have your picture with us by 31stJanuary to be included.Winter jokeQ. What do elves learnin school?A. The elf-abetWinter jokeQ: What did the big furryhat say to the warmwooly scarf?A: You hang aroundwhile I go on aheadWinter jokeQ. What do snowmeneat for lunch?A. Icebergers8

Children’s pageMake a jingle bells decorationThese bells make great festivedecorations and are really fun to make!You will need:Old egg cartonsScissorsStringSmall bellsGluePaintGlitter (optional!)Cut the egg carton into separatecups. With help from an adult, poke ahole in the bottom of each cup usinga sharp pencil.Decorate each cup however you like.Mix glitter into your paints for aquick colourful sparkle effect.Cut a piece of string about 15cm longand tie a small bell onto one end. Tiea small knot in the string about 2cmabove the bell.Thread the string through the holein the egg cup. Pull it all the waythrough untill the knot hits the insideof the cup.Tie several bells to the bottom of acoat hanger. Decorate the rest of thehanger with ribbon, tinsel or greeneryfrom your garden. Hang the decorationon the back of a door to hear jinglebells every time the door opens!PuzzleCan you find your waythrough this tricky mazeand help Santa find hisreindeer.Winter jokeQ. What do you get whenyou cross a snowmanwith a vampire?A. Frostbite9

Anti-social behaviourupdateWith Teign Housing’s Neighbourhood Support Advisor, Trevor VincerIn our Autumn edition I spoke about the changes that we have made to ourdiary sheets to reflect our closer working relationship with the Crime andDisorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP).The CDRP is a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour. TeignHousing attends CDRP meetings to share information relating to anti-socialbehaviour (ASB) and to help decide what the response should be.In recent weeks there have been incidents on some of our estates which havebeen tackled by joint visits from the Police and Teign Housing. This is becausesome of the disturbances have been caused by private renters or owneroccupiers.This is where the CDRP comes in. When Andy Davies, the Police Anti SocialBehaviour Officer, warns a private renter or owner-occupier about their ASB,he informs Teign Housing. We will then support the community by providingways of recording and reporting incidents so that further action can be takenas required.This approach has worked very well so far and we have achieved some goodresults. Previously private renters and owner-occupiers have seldom beenreported for ASB as our customers have felt that Teign Housing does not havethe power to tackle them. As our working relationship with the CDRP grows,so does our ability to tackle people that do not have a Teign Housing tenancyagreement. We now have the means to address ASB that affects our customersand properties.Community Safety Wardens, PoliceCommunity Support Officers and theCDRP are all tools that are availableto us and to you in the community.The most effective way for us to usethese resources is with support fromyou. Diary sheets provide us with theevidence we need to take appropriateaction to resolve issues affecting thecommunities you live in.Complaints updateSo far this year we’ve responded to 88% of yourcomplaints on time. Of the 6 complaints that we’veresponded to late one was 7 days overdue, one 3days overdue and the rest 1 day overdue. We have atarget of responding to 100% of complaints on timeso we’re still keen to improve.Making a complaint gives us theopportunity to put things right!“The officer was very helpful and kept us informed –thank you. We got things responded to very quickly”Mrs T, KingsteigntonWe welcome complaints as a way of helping us toimprove our services. If you’re unhappy with aservice you’ve received from us please let us knowby calling 01626 322722 or visiting our websiteat www.teignhousing.co.uk. All formal complaintsare investigated by senior staff and responded toin writing. As part of the investigation you will beoffered the opportunity to meet with the personresponding to your complaint to discuss yourconcerns with them.10

Direct DebitsFrancis BourkeEvery day more of our customers are switching to DirectDebit. Direct Debit allows your bank to automaticallysend payments on a date you agree with us. You arecovered by the Direct Debit guarantee which gives youpeace of mind that your payments are secure and youwill not lose your money if an error is made. If yourrent or benefit changed, we would agree a new paymentamount with you and your Direct Debit payments wouldautomatically be changed.Be in it to win itHave your chance to win an annual prize! Teign Housingis holding an annual draw for all customers paying theirrent by Direct Debit. The first entry to be pulled out ofthe hat will will receive a £100 prize, second prize £75and third prize £50.Direct Debit advantagesOne simple payment: Don’t worry about forgetting to pay.More convenient: No need to use your time calling in atthe office, visiting the post office or writing a cheque.It’s all taken care of.Peace of mind: To know your rent is being paid regularly.To set up a direct debit or ask for further information,please contact our Customer Service Team on 01626322722.Don’t turn your back on your rent this ChristmasMany people have difficulty paying their rent and otherbills around Christmas, when money seems to go flyingout the door on presents, food and other festivities.Take the right steps to resolve rent payment problems:Step 1 – Contact the Rents TeamStep 2 – Explain your situationStep 3 – Let us help you with support and adviceFor advice on rent issues and making the most of yourincome please call the rents team on 01626 322722.Building futuresResearch carried out by the National HousingFederation suggests that houses in the South Westcost close to 12 times the average income and thiswill increase with house prices set to rise in thenext five years. At the moment there are not enoughaffordable homes being built to supply the growingdemand.One in five families in the South West is now on thesocial housing waiting list and these waiting lists arethe fastest growing in the country. In order to tacklethis problem there needs to be more investment inhousing and land for development. Research has alsoshown that we need to build 30% more homes eachyear than we currently build.Working in partnership with the Aster Group, we arenow moving forward our aspirations for development.Our Corporate Plan has as an objective: “To provide achoice of quality affordable homes that people wantto live in.”To address the current housing needs in Teignbridge,Teign Housing has the aim to provide 30 homes ayear for the next few years. These homes will includea choice of affordable home ownership and rentaloptions, ensuring that at least 20% of new homes arefor shared ownership.If you are interested in buying a home, visitwww.home2own.org.uk which advertised affordablehousing available in the South West.11

Meet the Diversity PoliceSuzanne Brown interviews Katrina Deacon and RobKingdon from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary’s DiverseCommunities Team.Rob Kingdon is the Diverse Communities Team Leaderand has recently joined the Ashburton based team.Katrina Deacon is the Diversity Officer for South Hams,Teignbridge and West Devon and has worked with theteam since its inception.What is the diverse community’s team?Rob: “Devon & Cornwall Constabulary is committed to itspolicy on equality and to policing with dignity, respectand according to need. To improve our policing service tominority groups Diversity Officers have been appointedacross the Force. We are a specialist unit so we share ourexpertise and knowledge with your local Police. We alsoinform policy making and training.”Katrina: ”Most of our work is in relation to race or gay/lesbian/transgender issues. But our remit is across all sixdiversity strands and also includes disability, religion,gender and age. We work with statutory and voluntaryorganisations like yourselves, Teign Housing, withcommunity groups and with local schools. We are alsoavailable to provide help and advice to individuals.”How long have you worked as part of the DiverseCommunities Team and why did you join?Rob: ”I have only recently joined the DiverseCommunities Team so it’s all very new to me at themoment. I’ve been a Police Officer with Devon andCornwall Constabulary since 1985 working across Southand West Devon including in the bay.”Katrina: “I’ve been a Police Officer since 1989. Like mostof us I joined the Police Force to make a difference topeople’s lives. I grew up in Devon and my life experiencesinitially meant I had limited contact with minoritycommunities. I took a sociology degree and this raisedmy awareness. I became aware that the Force had createdthese new posts and wanted to find out more. I chose tobecome a Diversity Officer because it’s a role where thejob satisfaction is more tangible.”12

With such a small minority ethnic community isracism really an issue in Devon?Katina: “Devon’s minority ethnic community may besmall, it’s about 2%, but the world is changing and thearea is becoming more multi cultural. It’s also wrong toassume there is no issue with racism here. If you are froman ethnic minority you are more likely to be racially abusedin Devon than in an inner city. One of the recent victimshas moved to Devon from London and the racist abuse sheexperienced here came as complete shock. As she then said tome, in London I was just one of the crowd here I stick out.”Rob: We believe that many racist, homophobic and otherincidents motivated by prejudice are not reported to thepolice. We are committed to dealing robustly with hatecrime but we can only tackle this problem if people help usby coming forward.So what is an average day like for you?Katrina laughs “There is no such thing as average, eachday brings with it new challenges. I might be workingwith a local school helping to prepare students for life atuniversity, attending a meeting with the Local Authority orresponding to a report of hate crime. External events canhave a big impact. For example the Glasgow bombing inJuly meant we immediately had to consider the potentialimpact on the members of our ethnic minority communitieswho work within the medical profession locally.”Finally name one thing you would change if you wereChief Constable?Rob: “There is a lot of good work that goes on in the Force.If I was the Chief Constable I would do something torecognise the work that individual Police Officers do thatcontributes to community cohesion and promotes diversity.”Have you been a victim of harassment?AIf you have been the victim of harassment and wouldlike to speak with either Katrina or Rob you can contactthem in confidence on 01364 651751 or 01364651752.Remember you may speak to them in confidence andyou don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to.Both Katrina and Rob understand that it may be difficultfor all sorts of reasons to come forward but they needto hear from you if you have been a victim or if youare a witness to an incident. They will not dismiss yourcomplaint. You will be treated with sensitivity andyour complaint will be investigated thoroughly.Alternatively you can contact your NeibourhoodServices Advisor, who will provide you with supportand advice.Caretaking serviceTeign Housing would like to set up a caretakingmonitoring panel in order to make sure that we areproviding a good quality caretaking service and thatour customers are satisfied. If you live in one of thefollowing areas and would be interested in monitoringthe caretaking service by filling out a short form andreturning it to us once a month please contact DavidAlthorpe on 01626 322749 or email:david.althorpe@teignhousing.co.ukDawlish: Lanherne, Newhay, 38-45 Churchill Way,Fourth Avenue, Jubilee CrescentTeignmouth: Kingsway, Bitton Court, Parson Street,Douglas House, Pellew House, St James’ House, AlbertaCourt, St Mary’s CourtNewton Abbot: 18-24 or blocks A and B Drake Road,Raleigh Road, 2-8 Hawkins Road, Bradley Court, StMary’s Court, Alexandra House, Brake House, MapletonClose, Joslin Court, Queensway HouseBuckfastleigh: Hamlyn’s Way, Williams CourtAshburton: Mill Path, Ireland House, The HallIpplepen: Caunters Close137

Away from home?If you’re leaving your property for a holiday thiswinter, take these precautions to make sure the risk offire and water damage to your home is reduced:• Un-plug unneeded electrical appliances,particularly television sets, DVD’s, etc.• Make sure your drains and gutters are clear ofleaves and blockages• During the winter keep your central heatingoperating at a low level• If you have water storage tanks in your attic,leave your loft hatch open to allow warm air tocirculate in the roof space• If you don’t have central heating, close thestopcock and drain down the water systems• Ask a neighbour or friend to check on yourhome while you’re awayImmersion heatersOver the past year we have been replacing immersionheater thermostats in your homes with the latestmodels. This will be an ongoing process which willtake some time to complete.The new thermostats have a safety cut-out designedto stop water overheating. The problem of faultyimmersion systems has been one that has hit the newson several occasions in the past few years with peopleseriously injured and even killed when their immersionsystems overheated, heating the water in their plasticcold-water storage tank which then ruptured.Typical signs that your immersion heater might beover-heating include:• Excessively hot water coming out of the hotwater taps• Excessive noise or ‘bubbling’ from thehot water cylinder• Hot water coming out of cold water taps• Steam or moisture in the roof spaceIf you experience any of these signs you shouldimmediately switch off the immersion heater and callour emergency repairs freephone number0800 1979790.Away for longer?A customer recently returned from a extendedstay away from their home to find that therehad been a major leak from their boiler. Sadlythe leak had caused lots of damage to theirproperty and possessions.If you are planning to be away from yourhome for a significant period of time pleasecontact us. We can arrange for your boiler tobe drained when you leave and re-filled on yourreturn – avoiding the possibility of a major leakwhile you’re away.14

The road less travelledRebecca PurdyWhat do Gypsies and Travellers want?• To be allowed to live peacefully as part of British society• Recognition that a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle isa legitimate way of livingBorn and raised in Bovey Tracey, Rebecca Purdy comes froma Romany Gypsy family. Rebecca was educated locally andnow works for Devon County Council at her local PrimarySchool.Rebecca’s grandmother originally came to Bovey Tracey fromCornwall and her family have been actively involved withinthe local community ever since. Rebecca and her family liketo be mobile during the summer months whilst her childrenare on holiday from school, but they remain settled for therest of the year in a private pitch in Bovey Tracey.There are many different groups of ‘Travellers’ living inBritain. All are either nomadic, semi-nomadic, or have anomadic heritage. Even though thousands of British peoplehave Gypsy ancestry, levels of understanding about theGypsy and Traveller lifestyle and culture remain low.Rebecca told us “The Romany Gypsy culture has very strongfamily values, if a member of the family is ill, other memberswill settle to take care of them. The outdoors, fresh air andcleanliness are very important to us.”“I love to be able to do my washing at 6.30 in the morningin the fresh air…some think I’m mad, but you can’t beat it!Houses feel very suffocating and confined to me.”The myths and facts:There are many myths surrounding the Gypsy and Travellerway of life, which often leads to resistance when planning isput forward to develop new pitches.Myth – Gypsies are thieves and criminalsFact – There is no evidence in police statistics of highercrime rates amongst Gypsies than the general populationMyth – Gypsies are dirtyFact – Gypsies take great pride in cleanliness. They havestrict rules about washing that have been passed downthrough generationsMyth - Gypsies don’t pay taxFact – Like everyone else Gypsies pay road tax, CouncilTax on settled sites, VAT on goods and services, andIncome tax when they are working or self-employedMyth – Gypsies aren’t educatedFact – Increasing numbers of Gypsy children areenrolled in schools• Fairer representation in the media.• An urgent solution to current accommodation problems• Greater tolerance and understanding15

Estate inspectionsOur Neighbourhood Services Advisors are regularly outin your community, looking for potential issues thatneed to be resolved.We have re-prioritised some of the walkabouts and nowinspect some areas every 6 weeks. The majority ofareas are still visited every 3 months, and some will bevisited every 6 months.Abbotskerswell - 12th February 2008Ashburton – 23rd January 2008Ashburton (The Hall, Roboroughs) -29th January 2008, 11th March 2008Bickington – 23rd January 2008Bishopsteignton – 19th February 2008Bovey Tracey – 3rd January 2008, 27th March 2008Bridford – 7th March 2008Broadhempston – 22nd January 2008Buckfastleigh (Gypsy Lane, Fairy Lane) -22nd January 2008, 4th March 2008Buckland (east) – 8th January 2008, 19th February 2008Buckland (west) - 22nd January 2008, 4th March 2008Chudleigh – 9th January 2008Chudleigh Knighton - 9th January 2008Coombeinteignhead – 5th March 2008Cristow – 7th March 2008Dawlish (Newlands) – 3rd Jan 2008, 27th March 2008Dawlish (The Lindens) – 12th March 2008Dawlish (Churchill Avenue, Coronation Avenue,First Avenue, Second Avenue, Third Avenue) –21st January 2008, 3rd March 2008Denbury – 23rd January 2008Doddiscombsleigh – 7th March 2008Dunchideock - 7th March 2008Dunsford - 7th March 2008Exminster – 18th February 2008Heathfield – 19th February 2008Hennock – 6th February 2008Ide - 23rd January 2008Ideford – 4th March 2008Ipplepen – 23rd January 2008If you would like to see your Neighbourhood ServicesAdvisor during the walkabout, please contact him orher for exact times.You don’t have to wait for one of our inspections to getsomething done. If you see anything that we need tocheck at any other time, please contact us.Kenn – 31st January 2008Kennford - 31st January 2008Kenton - 31st January 2008Kingskerswell – 10th March 2008Kingsteinton – 22nd January 2008, 4th March 2008Liverton – 25th February 2008Lustleigh – 29th February 2008Manaton - 29th February 2008Milber – 10th March 2008Moretonhampstead – 28th February 2008Netherton – 5th March 2008Newton Abbot (Bradley Valley) – 19th February 2008Newton Abbot (Greenaway Road, Ashburton Road,Coombeshead, Neville Road, Noelle Drive, RobertsWay) – 28th February 2008Newton Abbot (Manor Road, Broadlands the Avenue)– 12th February 2008North Bovey – 29th February 2008Ogwell – 12th February 2008Shaldon – 19th February 2008Shillingford St George – 23rd January 2008Starcross – 20th March 2008Stokeinteignhead – 5th March 2008Teignmouth (Cartwright Crescent Hill, ColemanAvenue, Fourth Avenue) – 14th January 2008Teignmouth (Fraser Drive) – 28th January 2008, 10thMarch 2008Teignmouth (Kingsway) – 21st January 2008Teignmouth (Mill Lane, Hutchings Way, Bitton ParkRd, Gloucester Road, Speranza, Town Centre Flats) –7th January 2008, 31st March 2008Whitestone – 10th January 2008Widecombe – 29th February 200816

Meet the WorldOver 300 people went along to Courtenay Parkon the 7th September to “Meet the World”.The free community event to promote diversitywas organised by faith groups, local voluntaryorganisations including Teign Housing, localcommunity representatives and businesses.A celebration of different cultures, the eventincluded food tasters, music, drumming, singing,dancing, art and more. Performers includedNewton Abbot based musician Chartwell Dutiroplaying traditional Shona music on the Mbira fromZimbabwe. The dance performances and workshopsincluded Belly Dancing, Irish Set Dance, Flamencoand a local Morris Dance troup.17

Estate surgeriesIn Touch accompanied Neighbourhood Service Advisor,Kathy Norrish, to the Teignmouth estate surgery inSeptember.Four residents from Douglas House attended the surgeryheld in the community room at Alberta Court. ChristineSmith, Gwen Williams and Betty Waldron had attendedthe surgeries in the past and Joyce Fletcher was comingalong for the first time. Kathy started by checking thatrepairs ordered at the last session had been carried outsatisfactorily.The group were able to talk to Kathy as a group aboutthe problems they are experiencing with noise nuisanceand parking and Kathy was able to update them on theaction Teign Housing was taking.Kathy was asked when the new kitchens were going tobe installed at Douglas House and after a quick phonecall she could tell the ladies when to expect the work tostart. Christine chatted to Kathy about her upcomingmove to a smaller property. They discussed the need toget three quotes from removal companies as part of thedownsizing incentive scheme.Throughout the surgery Kathy made notes so she couldfollow up the queries when she was back in the officethe next morning.At the end In Touch asked the residents why theyattend the estate surgery. “We like to come and chatto Kathy in the company of our neighbours. Therehave been a few problems and Kathy has listenedand understood – it is nicer to meet a person ratherthan chat over the phone”. Joyce Fletcher, attendingthe surgery for the first time, said “I have found itenjoyable and was glad I could air my views. I will beattending again in the future!”BuckfastleighbingoNews from theresidents’ groupsKingswayCommittee members elected at the AGM in Octoberwere Sue Warren - Chair, Alex Howarth - Secretary,Sarah Holmes - Treasurer and Stewart Buckle -Tenants’ Forum representative.Next years meetings will be on the second Tuesdayof every other month at 7.30pm in the followingmonths: February, April, June, October andDecember.This years Christmas event will be ‘Kingsway’s gotTalent’ and will showcase on Friday 22nd Decemberticketswill be available mid December.Thanks to Connaught Community initiative – theyhave painted the hall in the centre and installed thetotem poles for the community.Kingsway Community EnterprisesMatt Bishop started in October and is cleaningthe communal areas of the maisonettes, Cherry,Magnolia, Laurel and Rowan blocks.A customer satisfaction survey will be carried out inJanuary 2008, which will be resident led.Kingsteignton WestThis group recently celebrated the first yearof meeting as a group. They meet on the lastWednesday of every other month at 7.15pm at StMichaels Church Hall. Future meeting dates are 30thJanuary, 26th March and 28th May. If you live in thearea that this group covers you will receive a flyeradvertising the meetings.BuckfastleighThe group held another successful Christmas bingoat the end of November with plenty of Christmasthemed prizes.The annual Christmas party was held on Friday 14thDecember in the town hall. Food and entertainmentwas provided and the event was well attended.18

Your LettersPlease send us your letters in the pre-paid envelope enclosedor e-mail: intouch@teignhousing.co.ukDear In TouchIn July my wonderful wife, Elaine, sadly passed away after battling cancer.She was my sunshine and undoubtedly this was the biggest cloud that I havehad to face in my life. But as the old saying goes, every cloud has a silverlining. My silver lining in coming to terms with Elaine’s death has been theamazing support I have received from my friends and colleagues in my localresidents’ group, the Tenants’ Forumand at Teign Housing. To those whodonated money to Cancer ResearchUK and to Teign Housing and it’scontractors for their donations to theFORCE cancer charity, your money willmake a difference to people’s lives.I would like to take this opportunityto say a huge thank you to all of youfor being there for me and for all yourlovely words about Elaine.Stuart Stone, Vice-Chair of theTenants’ ForumLightening the loadDo you, or someone you know, need a little extrahelp? Teign Housing now provides a floating supportservice to help support you in your own home. We canvisit you for an agreed purpose and number of hoursa week for as long as is needed. If your needs changethe level of support can be reviewed and altered as aresult - the aim is to reduce the level of support overtime as you gain confidence to manage independently.The support will eventually ‘float off’ and the hoursused to support another person.Support workersL-R Brenda and LindaWho do we support?People with learning difficulties, mental health supportneeds, older people with support needs and othergroups.What can we offer?We offer support, advice and assistance in thefollowing areas:• Help to set up and maintain your home and tenancy• Help with maintaining the safety and security ofyour home• Help in finding alternative accommodation• Help in establishing personal safety and security• Help to make social contacts and join localactivities• Help in gaining access to other services• Help in managing your finances and making benefitclaims.What is the intention of the service?By providing regular one-to-one support and helpingyou access other services we aim to develop your skillsto help you live independently.If you would like to know more please speak with yourNeighbourhood Services Advisor or phone the FloatingSupport Team on 01626 322785 or 01626 322812.19

Word searchThis competition is just for fun – howquickly can you find the words that arelisted below in the word search puzzle?The words may be forwards, backwards,vertical, horizontal and diagonal.Good luck!R I E R E I I A C TL N S T U O R P S II M F O A N E S O NG N R A R T I L E SH N A M W O N S H ECandleCrackerHollyMarzipanSantaSnowmanTinselTurkeyColdFrostLightsReindeerScarfSproutsTreeT I C P K N D A T LS U S T I E E R S DO T R Z R Z E M L NR W T K I E R O F AF G C R E K C A R CD H O L L Y P R M Pspot the differenceCompetitionwin £25 Can you spot five differences in the right hand picture? If so,mark them, cut out, fill in your details and return to us in the pre-paid envelopeprovided by 29th February 2008 for your chance to win a gift voucher worth £25from your choice of Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Boots or ASDA.Name:_____________________________________Address:____________________________________E-mail:_____________________________________Telephone number:_____________________________________________________________________20