Get Connected Autumn/Winter edition 2015

Get Connected A
charitable Housing Association
Residents’ Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2015
There was music, dance and storytelling to set your heart racing at our
recent Connect the Dots pop-up festival. Find out more inside this issue >>

Your shout
Seen something in Get Connected that you’d like to give us feedback on? Got a story
you’d like to share? Things happening in your community that you’d like to celebrate?
Then we’d like to hear from you!
You can send ‘Your shout’ submissions to us by email on
communications@connecthousing.org.uk or by post to:
Get Connected, Connect Housing Association
205 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 4HS
Notice Bo
Christmas closure times
Our offices will close at 1pm on Thursday
24 December. We will open again at 9am on
Monday 4 January 2016. During this time you
can still call 0300 5000 600
and speak to our out-of-hours
service to report an emergency
repair or anti-social behaviour.
Bolt
Freya
Pet Parade
Thanks again to everyone who sent in
photos of their furry friends. We’ve got two
canine cuties to share with you.
This issue includes:
YOUR HOME 4
CONNECT RESIDENTS FEDERATION 6
It’s a hard life being a pampered pooch.
Beautiful (and relaxed) Freya is 13 years old
and belongs to Debra Black in Leeds.
Thanks Richard Lamb in Leeds for sending
in this fantastic photo of Bolt. He is a one
year old Jack Russell Terrier and he loves
playing with other dogs, kids and sometimes
even cats!
STAY WARM AND SAFE THIS WINTER
(special pull-out and keep guide) 7
If you’d like your pet to feature in the next
issue of Get Connected please send a photo
to communications@connecthousing.org.uk
OUT IN OUR COMMUNITIES 11
CONNECT THE DOTS 12
MONEY MATTERS 14
Front cover stars
The photograph on the front cover features
The Sharp Steppers – a Lindy Hop dance group
from Leeds who put the swing into our recent
Connect the Dots festival. Read more on page 12.
2

ard
All change for housing
associations!
The new Conservative Government has strong ideas about housing associations
and is already bringing in sweeping changes. These will have a significant effect
on Connect and you may soon be seeing changes in our services.
You will be glad to hear that the Government has unexpectedly required housing associations to
reduce the rent for most tenants by 1% each year for the next four years, starting in April next
year. Keeping rents truly affordable is one of Connect’s aims and we are pleased that this
reduction will help many people.
This will also mean a big drop in income for Connect. Inevitably that will affect the services we can provide
and the staff we employ, and will affect our future development plans too. In the current economic climate
we know that our services are especially welcome, so we are truly sorry that some will now be lost. We will
bring you more details of changes at Connect in the next newsletter.
As you may have heard, the Government is planning to give housing association tenants the
Right to Buy their homes. We know that many tenants would love to become home owners and
will be pleased to hear this.
It will be very difficult though for Connect to replace any homes that we sell, with similar homes to rent.
This means that the number of homes available at affordable rents for those who cannot afford to buy or rent
privately will reduce. This is a huge concern for Connect as our rented housing is sometimes the only way that
people can find decent, secure homes they can afford. More Government changes are on the way. We will
keep you up to date in Get Connected as we get to know the details.
I’d welcome hearing YOUR views on these changes – you can contact me on
hello@connecthousing.org.uk
Jenny Brierley, Chief Executive
Read more thoughts about recent policies and
their impact on social housing on our new blog
site: www.connectthedots.org.uk >>>
A helping hand onto the
housing ladder
Connect will soon be offering a range of brand new homes
across Kirklees for people wanting to buy. Our new shared
ownership properties will help people who might otherwise
be priced out of home-ownership.
There are two and three
bedroom houses on offer
around Dewsbury and
Huddersfield, with prices
starting at £31,250 for a 25%
share. Larger shares can be
purchased and homeowners
have the option to purchase
additional shares as their
financial circumstances
change over time.
Connect is able to offer these
great deals because private
house builders are obliged
under planning rules to offer
a proportion of the new
homes they build to housing
associations at a discounted
price. You may have read
about the Government’s plan
to change these rules, so that
developers can instead sell
those homes direct to first
time buyers at 80% of their
market value.
We believe shared ownership
is a much lower cost way to
get onto the housing ladder
than a 20% one-off discount.
These changes to the
planning rules will mean less
affordable homes being
developed and less homeownership
opportunities like
this will be available through
Connect and other housing
associations.
Martyn Broadest,
Director of Regeneration
3

YOUR HOME
Dealing with
condensation
Condensation is more common between the months of October and
March when the weather is cooler. It is normal for everyone to
experience condensation in their home, but how it’s dealt with is
what the makes difference between just having condensation on your
windows in the morning or having black mould build up on the walls.
Here’s some information and guidance to help you this winter.
What is condensation?
Checklist for reducing condensation
There is always some moisture in
the air. If the air gets cold, it
can’t hold all of the moisture
and appears as droplets of water
on cold surfaces such as windows
and walls – this is condensation.
If you leave condensation and
don’t wipe it away when you see
it forming, this can lead to black
mould growth.
More information
Visit our website
www.connecthousing.org.uk/condensation
to download a copy of our full
information leaflet. If you would
like to receive a printed copy of our
leaflet please call 0300 5000 600.
Cooking:
Extractor fan on
Lids on saucepans
Kitchen window open
Kitchen door shut
General:
Open window trickle vents
Open windows in the morning if
there is condensation
Wipe condensation off windows
in the morning
Heating on for at least several
hours a day
Furniture not pushed up against
external walls
Black mould cleaned using an
anti-mould spray cleaner as
soon as it appears
Lid on fish tanks
Bathing:
Extractor fan on
Bathroom window open
Bathroom door shut
Clothes washing/drying:
Tumble dryer vented outside
Clothes hung up outside
If this is not possible…
Clothes hung on a dryer in the
bathroom with the window open
and door shut
Clothes not hung on radiators
4

Paying for repairs
We recently celebrated the first anniversary of our
in-house repairs team taking over the service across
all Connect’s homes. We have made a lot of progress in
improving the value for money of the service, but there
are still some things we have yet to bring in.
One of these is charging tenants for repairs that are their responsibility.
Tenants who took part in our research told us this was important to them.
We want to make sure that our approach to repairs is consistent,
that any charges we make are fair, and that there is a system in
place to collect the money effectively. We have been trialling
approaches to chargeable repairs over recent weeks and we will
be rolling out the new system in the next couple of months.
In the meantime, please be reassured that if you report a repair
that is your responsibility, we will tell you this before carrying
out any work and we will give you the option to make your own
arrangements (except where the problem is an emergency or
needs making safe).
Of course, you will not be charged for repairs that are
Connect’s responsibility.
Sure success
Our gas service and maintenance
contractor Sure Maintenance is
continuing to achieve high levels
of customer satisfaction and
completion of jobs on first visit.
Since the start of the contract,
8,086 repairs and 6,361 annual gas
service visits have been successfully
completed, achieving 100%
compliance of safety certificates.
In addition, 611 high efficiency
boilers have been installed
improving energy efficiency and
reducing fuel bills for each tenant
by approximately £145* a year.
*Savings taken from Energy
Savings Trust
Is Connect
providing
value for money?
Every year we produce a value
for money assessment, which is
sent to our regulator and also
published on our website so it
is transparent and available to
all tenants and stakeholders.
F o r
Delivering Value
Delivering Value
F o r
M o n e y
M o n e y
You can view a copy at
www.connecthousing.org.uk/
valueformoney
If you would like to receive a
paper copy please call us on
0300 5000 600.
5

Care about
where you
live?
Want to work
with Connect to
improve things?
We need you!
We are looking for volunteers to
complete an annual Well Managed
Estate checklist about the
estate/scheme where they live.
The process is easy and we keep your time
commitment to a minimum. You can make a
difference to where you live in three simple steps:
1. Attend a half-day training session about how
to complete your checklist
2. Complete the checklist on your estate/scheme
once a year (in Spring)
3. Attend a half-day meeting to discuss your
findings and feedback to Connect
Interested in getting involved?
If you’d like to become a Well Managed Estate
volunteer or want to find out more please call
Lisa Longbottom on 0300 5000 600 or email
lisa.longbottom@connecthousing.org.uk
BRING
YOUR
IDEAS
TO LIFE
Do you have
an idea that
will benefit your
local community?
The CRF Community Priority Fund
could provide the money you need to
make it a reality. The CRF Committee
can approve small bids (under £1,500) all
year round, for as long as the year’s
budget lasts. If you would like to apply just
call 0300 5000 600 and ask for a CRF
Community Priority Fund form – if you
need any advice or help to fill it in please
ask for Lisa Longbottom.
2016
UPCOMING CRF MEETINGS
9 February 2016, 1-3pm,
Haw thorn Mill, Leeds
12 April 2016, 6-8pm,
Haw thorn Mill, Leeds
RSVP: if you would like to
attend a CRF meeting please
call Lisa Longbottom on
0300 5000 600
Come
and join in
the fun
Discounted theatre tickets for Connect tenants
The West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds is offering Connect tenants
and their families seats to its festive performances for just £10!
Shows for this season include The Night Before Christmas and
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Demand is very high at the box office, so if you’d like to book tickets
please email the CRF Treasurer and Secretary, Maureen Kershaw on
mokershaw@gmail.com or call Lisa Longbottom at Connect on 0300 5000 600.
6

Stay warm and
safe this winter
As the weather gets colder and winter sets in, we
wanted to share with you some practical tips and
advice to help you stay warm and safe in your home.
Be prepared
PULL-OUT
AND KEEP
We have included specific advice for older people who may struggle in the
winter months with isolation, illness and increased risk of injury. If you have
older neighbours or relatives make sure they’re safe and well – if you’re
worried about anyone you can call the Age UK helpline on 0800 009966.
Weather forecasts
Keep up to date with local
and national weather
forecasts or visit the
Met Office website at
www.metoffice.gov.uk
Insurance
We insure the structure and
fittings of the building, but
not your belongings. Home
contents insurance may be
the last thing on your mind
when there are so many
other outgoings, but if the
unexpected happens can you
afford not to have insurance?
Emergencies
Make sure you have the
correct telephone numbers
for people you may need
to contact in an emergency.
Supplies
Keep your cupboards and
freezer well stocked with
food and essentials in case
you are unable to get to
the shops.
Care alarms
If you have a care alarm
installed make sure you test
it. Remember to keep the
call centre informed of any
changes to your emergency
contacts details or telephone
numbers.
Peace of mind
The National Housing Federation offers ‘My Home’, a contents
insurance policy for all social housing tenants with low
premiums and flexible payment schemes.
For more information visit www.thistlemyhome.co.uk
or call them on 0345 450 7288.
Help is at hand
Care Ring (Telecare) is an alarm call service provided by Leeds
City Council, which allows older people to continue living
independently at home with the knowledge that help is at hand
at the press of a button.
If you would like more information about this or similar services
in the area you live, please contact Simon Calland at Connect on
0300 5000 600.
7

Stay warm and safe this winter
Get your home winter ready
Heating and lighting
Make sure your heating is
working properly. For any gas,
heating or hot water
breakdowns you can contact
Connect on 0300 5000 600.
Check your lights are working,
remember it gets dark quickly
in winter and poor
lighting can
increase
the risk of
accidents.
Frozen pipes
If your water pipes have frozen
and you're without water
follow the simple guidance
provided by Yorkshire Water.
1.Turn off your stop tap – in
most homes you'll find the
stop tap under the kitchen
sink, but it could be located
in a cellar, garage or
outbuilding.
2.Feel the pipework around
your stop tap to see if it's
extremely cold. If it is, try
heating the pipe with a fan
heater or hair dryer. Don't
use a naked flame.
3.Turn your stop tap back on.
4.Insulate your pipes with
waterproof foam lagging,
available from DIY outlets or
plumbing merchants.
Emergency repairs
If you have an emergency repair please call us on
0300 5000 600
Be warm
Heating your home
If you set your heating to the
right temperature (between
18-21ºC) you can keep your
home warm and lower your
bills. Set your heating to come
on just before you get up and
switch off when you go to bed.
If it is very cold, set it to come
on earlier and go off later
rather than turning the
thermostat up. Visit
www.connecthousing.org.uk/
heatingprogrammers to find
your user instructions.
Food and drink
Heat up from the inside by
eating hot foods such as soups
and casseroles. Drink hot
drinks – if you struggle to carry
hot drinks why not make up a
flask and keep it by your chair.
Could you
save £150*
per year?
Switch
and Save
Switching supplier is one of the
key ways you can reduce your
household energy bills.
My Home Energy Switch is a
free and impartial service.
*On average those who use the
service save around £150 on
their energy bills per year.
The service is available online at
www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk
or you can call the freephone
number on 0800 0014 706.
Clothing
Wrap up in
several layers of
clothing, this will keep you
warmer than one thick layer.
Wear a hat; we lose most of
our body heat through our
head. Wear sensible footwear
something warm with a thick
sole and a good grip.
Exercise
Keeping active, especially if
your mobility is restricted, will
keep your circulation flowing,
which will help to keep you
warm. Contact Connect Older
People’s Strategists (COPS) on
0113 2311561 to request the
booklet ‘Gentle Exercise in the
Chair for the Elderly’
(remember to consult your GP
before starting any exercise).
8

Be healthy
Illness
Don’t put off seeing your GP
if you feel unwell, early
intervention reduces recovery
time and the risk of further
complications. You can also
call 111 if you need medical
help fast but it’s not a 999
emergency. NHS 111 is
available 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Calls are free from
landlines and mobile phones.
Flu jab
Keeping warm over the winter
months can help prevent colds,
flu or more serious health
conditions such as
pneumonia. Ask
your GP or visit
www.nhs.uk to
see if you are
eligible for a
free flu jab.
Prescriptions
If you have repeat
prescriptions delivered make
sure you order them in plenty
of time, especially if severe
weather is forecast.
Financial support
Winter Fuel Payment
You could get between £100
and £300 tax-free to pay your
heating bills if you were born
on or before 5 January 1953.
You usually get this paid
automatically if you get the
State Pension. If you qualify
but don’t get paid
automatically, you’ll need to
make a claim. Visit
www.gov.uk/winter-fuelpayment
Cold Weather Payment
You may get a payment if
you receive certain benefits.
Payments are made when your
local temperature is either
recorded as, or forecast to be,
an average of 0°C or below
over seven consecutive days.
You'll get a payment of £25
for each seven-day period of
very cold weather between
1 November 2015 and 31 March
2016. Visit www.gov.uk/
cold-weather-payment
Money Matters
Our Money Matters team can
help you look at your budget,
access debt advice, lower your
energy bills and pay off fuel
debts. You can call the team
on 0300 5000 600 or email
moneymatters@
connecthousing.org.uk
Christmas crime prevention
Presents
Keep presents out of sight –
piles of gifts under the tree
that are visible through a door
or window are tempting to
thieves. Don’t leave empty
boxes outside – it advertises
all the new goods you have.
Be wary of anyone offering
you high price goods at a cut
down price. Your bargain
could be someone else's
Christmas present and
handling stolen goods could
carry a prison sentence.
Plan ahead
Make it look like someone is at
home when you’re going out
for the
evening
– leave
lights on
and close
the curtains. If you’re going on
holiday over the festive period,
ask a friend, relative or
neighbour to keep an eye on
your house.
9

Stay warm and safe this winter
Gritting and snow clearing policy
Priorities
Low priority: If there is no grit
bin on your estate your scheme
is low priority. However, you
can still collect grit for your
estate during prolonged periods
of bad weather. We will provide
self-help bags that can be
collected from our offices.
Medium priority: We will deliver
grit and place it within the
designated grit bins. During
severe or long lasting winter
conditions we will replenish grit
bin stocks every two weeks.
However, we cannot spread the
grit or clear footpaths.
High priority: Our schemes for
older people and designated
supported housing schemes are
categorised as high priority and
we will top up grit supplies and
clear footpaths in accordance
with the policy.
Using grit
• Grit is provided for use on
key footpaths and communal
areas required for access
only. Please don’t use the
communal grit for your own
drive, non-essential footpaths
and car parking areas.
• Grit is quite corrosive – when
used excessively it can damage
plants and hard surfaces.
What you can expect
• We will grit priority estates
when the five-day forecast
indicates that temperatures
will not rise above 0°C for
three days continuously or
when ice is forecast to form
on footways and the condition
continues after midday on any
individual day, as published
on the BBC Weather website.
• Our staff and contractors will
try to visit priority schemes
every three working days
providing weather conditions
allow and grit stocks and staff
are available.
• If access by car is directly to
the tenant’s front gate, the
surrounding footpath will not
be gritted.
Please take care
We want to help you stay safe
this winter and we’re sorry that
it is not possible for us to grit all
areas. If you would like more
information on the detail of our
gritting policy, please call us on
0300 5000 600.
TIME TO TEST
You are at least four times more likely to die in a
fire in your home if you have no working smoke alarm
Test your smoke alarms on the first of every month, then you know
that they’re working. Don’t take risks with your family when a simple
action is all that’s needed. It’s your life, take extra care of it.
These simple steps can reduce the risk of fire
and keep everyone safer:
Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home
Test them on the 1st of every month and
never take out the batteries
Plan your escape route and make sure
everyone knows it
In England over 200 people die each year in fires in their homes.
These are often caused by smoking materials, cooking accidents,
candles and faulty electrical wiring or appliances – especially heaters.
Put cigarettes out – right out – and never smoke in bed
Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking
unattended
Make a bedtime check last thing at night to reduce fire risks
– eg unplug heaters
Never try to tackle a fire yourself
If a fire breaks out in your home. Get out, stay out and call 999
www.gov.uk/firekills
10

OUT IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Time to
change
Connect is proud to have signed
the ‘Time to Change’ pledge
This is a pledge to all employees, tenants, service users and the public that we as an
organisation will take action to tackle the stigma and discrimination around mental health.
David Wolverson, the Chair of our Board, signed the pledge on behalf of Connect at our
community space in Dewsbury. Staff and members of the Survivors Group joined in and
raised a cup of tea, enjoyed a slice of cake and made personal pledges.
Liz Power (Mental Health
Services Manager) with David
Wolverson (Chair of the Board)
and the pledge
Giving their all
A huge well done to Lisa Sanderson,
Supported Housing Officer at our
Swan Lane project, for taking on the
Great North Run for the first time.
Lisa ran 13.1 miles in memory of
her Dad and raised over £700 for
Kirkwood Hospice.
September’s
‘Chill and Chat’
coffee morning
at Pennwell
Garth was held
in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
As part of the World’s Biggest Coffee
Morning, tenants got together over
coffee and cake, raising an amazing
£280 for people affected by cancer.
Hidden Memories Café
Run in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, our Hidden
Memories Café serves more than just hot drinks. Visitors can make
new friends and join in activities to spark memories.
The next café is on Thursday 3 December, from 1pm to 3pm, at
Hawthorn Mill Sheltered Housing, Lower Wortley, LS12 5HQ. We look
forward to welcoming community librarians from Leeds City Council,
who will be running Christmas craft activities during the afternoon.
To book your place please call Sandra Clibbens on 0113 2311561.
An Olympic effort
from everyone
involved
To celebrate the International Day of
Older People, on Friday 9 October
Hawthorn Mill Sheltered Housing
staged its own Olympics event.
“The flags were flying, hearts were
beating and fingers were itching to
take one of the prized medals. The day
started with gentle chair exercises to
limber up those long forgotten (but
soon remembered) muscles. A group
sing-a-long ensured quality breathing.
The games began: beetle drive,
dominoes and hoopla. It was a fierce
battle, but those who stood their
ground were victorious. As the
Hawthorn Mill March (composed by
resident Eddie Ogden) echoed through
the lounge, Connect’s Chief Executive,
Jenny Brierley, presented the medals to
the winners. A special thank you to
Leeds Older Peoples Forum for their
support – the theme of the day
‘keeping healthy and active’ was
certainly achieved!”
Sue Hendry, Senior Scheme Manager
11

In 2016, we will be opening a new community space at Bond Street
in Dewsbury town centre. On Tuesday 22 September 2015 we held
Connect the Dots – a pop-up festival bringing people together to
get a sneak peek of the venue in the raw and to explore ideas,
share stories and start conversations.
We were delighted to welcome 145 people to
the festival – including partner organisations,
tenants, service users, shareholders, Board
members and one local MP.
Creating connections
The event was all about bringing people
together to get feedback and share ideas about
what should happen in the new community
space. We asked people to stick up a brick and
tell us what barriers they think exist in the
community.
People had fireside chats with our community
reporters and added their words to the festival
bunting. The architect’s plans for the building
were available to view and people gave us
feedback to help shape the space. Between
5.30pm and 6pm there was the opportunity to
be part of Connect’s AGM session.
Connect the storytellers
We heard from people and organisations making
a difference right now, including Mark Griffin,
Batley Smile; Larry Eve, The Basement Recovery
Project; Ruth Bridges, Creative Scene; Vicky
Sawka, Chol Theatre Company; Linda Holmes,
Sensory World; Scott Bell, Inclucid; Paul Burr,
The Real Junk Food Project; and others from
Connect.
12

Connect the artists
There was music, dance and poetry to set your
heart racing, including singer and songwriter
Jake Smallbones, Lindy Hop
dancing, Hank’s Monologues
and Batley Poets. Connect
tenant Elliot Wigsell from
Urban Art Leeds, worked
outside with spray paints
to bring to life
the ideas of
some of our
younger
tenants.
Connect the best ingredients
Festival goers experienced coffee creativity
from the independent Bean Brothers; tucked in
to food by The Real Junk Food Project, who
reduce food waste, feed hungry people and
build communities; drank delicious mocktails by
Inclucid, who create alcohol-free spaces for all
communities to enjoy; and helped us write the
menu for events at our future happy café.
Pictures, partnerships and popcorn
Our Secret Cinema featured community films
from Alzheimer’s Society, Mencap in Kirklees,
The Real Junk Food Project, Connect Housing,
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Heatherstones
Court, Callaloo Carnival Arts, Yorkshire St Pauli,
and Voluntary Action Kirklees.
Thank you to everyone who was part
of the Connect the Dots festival.
None of this is possible without the
enthusiastic support and commitment
of our partners and tenants.
The bigger picture
Community-based organisations,
like Connect and our partners, have
continued to join the dots in the
communities in which we work, adding to
the picture as other services have been cut
back or disappear. We have countless examples
of how these efforts have made a difference,
which you can read in our Annual Review 2015.
You can read it online at
www.connecthousing.org.uk/annualreview2015
If you would like to receive a paper copy
please call us on 0300 5000 600.
Recent policy changes will make our
work more challenging but will not
make us retreat. We will continue
to connect the dots.
13

MONEY MATTERS
The end
of Housing
Benefit
Does this information affect you?
If you are Pension Credit age (above 60 years and 6 months) this information
will not affect you so please do not be worried. If you are of working age
(between 18 years and Pension Credit age) it might affect you and is very important.
YOUR HOUSING BENEFIT WILL STOP WHEN
YOU RECEIVE UNIVERSAL CREDIT
Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people
who are on a low
income or out of work.
It will replace Housing
Benefit, Income-Based
Jobseekers Allowance,
Income Support,
Income-Related
Employment and
Support Allowance,
Child Tax Credit and
Working Tax Credit.
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING
YOUR RENT TO US DIRECTLY
One of the biggest changes under Universal Credit is
that you will receive your rent entitlement (previously
Housing Benefit) within your monthly Universal Credit
payment as ‘Housing Costs’.
This no longer gets paid directly to Connect and you will
be responsible for paying the full rent to us.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT HAS ALREADY STARTED
IN OUR REGION
At the moment, Universal Credit mainly affects newly
unemployed single people and in our region rollout has
already begun – Calderdale went live on 27 April 2015,
Kirklees went live on 29 June 2015 and Leeds is
expected to go live from 1 February 2016.
Universal Credit is being introduced in stages. If you’re
already claiming one or more of the benefits being
phased out, you should carry on claiming as normal.
You’ll be told when you need to do anything differently.
However, if your circumstances change, you may be
asked to claim Universal Credit instead.
YOU NEED TO TELL US WHEN YOU ARE ASKED
TO CLAIM UNIVERSAL CREDIT
It is extremely important that you notify us if you are
asked to claim Universal Credit as there are some
significant changes that will affect the way you need to
pay your rent. Some tenants have already started to claim
Universal Credit and have not realised they have to pay
rent from the money they receive, which has resulted in
rent arrears. If you already receive Universal Credit
please let us know urgently by calling 0300 5000 600.
14

Here to help
We can help your move to Universal
Credit go smoothly. There will be changes
that will affect you and even if you’re not
likely to be affected straight away, we
can help make sure you’re ready.
Universal Credit will be paid
monthly, you will need a
bank account, you will have
to apply and maintain your
account online and you will
be responsible for paying
your full rent to us directly
from the money you receive.
OUR MONEY MATTERS
TEAM CAN HELP YOU
• Set up a bank account
• Get online
• Request direct payments from DWP
• Look at your budget and access debt advice
• Lower your energy bills and pay off fuel debts
• Find work and develop your CV
PLEASE TELL US
• If you are already receiving Universal Credit
• When you make a claim for Universal Credit
• If you are worried about the changes or do not feel that
you will be able to manage your rent payments –
the earlier you tell us the more likely it is we can help you
Get in touch
Email moneymatters@connecthousing.org.uk
or you can call the Money Matters team on
0300 5000 600
Did you know?
Over the last year our Money Matters team has
given debt advice and welfare benefit guidance
to 238 tenants securing a total of £354,000
for them in extra money and debt relief –
why not see how we can help you?
Are you looking
for a job?
FREE for our tenants
If you’re looking for a job then
MyWorkSearch is what you need! It’s the
UK’s most powerful online toolkit and it
will give you a huge advantage as a
jobseeker. It offers you advice on all
aspects of looking for and securing your
new job and will help you with your dayto-day
job search activities.
Sign-up today
MyWorkSearch is completely free for
Connect tenants. Call Michelle Cox on
0300 5000 600 or email
myworksearch@connecthousing.org.uk
and we will set up your account – we can
also offer help in getting online and how
to use the system.
Christmas
is around
the corner
Christmas should be a happy
occasion spent with family
and friends, but for some it
can be a time of financial
worry and stress. There can
be a great deal of pressure to
spend money on presents and
entertaining, but rent
payments must still be made
throughout the festive
season. If you are
experiencing difficulty
with debts or are
struggling to pay your
rent please contact our
Money Matters team now.
15

Stay connected
A charitable Housing Association
Call us
0300 5000 600
We have listened to
customer feedback and we
now have one telephone
number that you can call,
whenever you need to.
During office hours your call
will be answered by one of our
Housing Liaison Officers. At all
other times our out-of-hours
service is available if you need
to report an emergency repair
or anti-social behaviour.
Calls to this number cost the
same as making a local call
from any phone, including
mobile phones.
Visit us
You can visit us at either of
our offices:
Leeds office
205 Roundhay Road
Leeds LS8 4HS
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday:
9am – 5.30pm
Wednesday: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Huddersfield office
The Media Centre
6 Friendly Street
Huddersfield HD1 1RD
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday:
9am – 5pm
Wednesday: 10.30am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Stop Hate UK is a charity
working to raise awareness
of all types of Hate Crime.
Home visits
If you’d like to see someone face-to-face and are
unable to visit either of our offices, please contact
us on 0300 5000 600 and we can arrange a
home visit.
Do it online
www.connecthousing.org.uk
Visit our website where you can report a repair, pay
your rent, report anti-social behaviour, find out
about your tenancy, access support and advice, and
read the latest news from Connect Housing.
You can also contact us by email on
hello@connecthousing.org.uk
Get social
You can find us on Facebook and talk to us on
Twitter, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
www.facebook.com/ConnectHousing
@ConnectHousing
Cut out and keep me
For an audio version of this information please contact your local Connect Housing Office.
Se não entender esta informação, contacte o Gabinete de Habitação “Connect“ local para que o possam ajudar
Si vous ne comprenez pas ces informations, veuillez contacter votre bureau local du logement Connect.
205 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS8 4HS.
Tel: 0300 5000 600
A charitable Housing Association.
If you have any ideas for this
newsletter please contact us,
we would love to hear from you.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those
of Connect Housing, however, every effort is made to verify the
accuracy and contents of all articles at the time of going to press.
Designed & produced by The Design Box, Leeds. 0113 257 1313 thedesignbox.co.uk