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StreetTalk
Issue 15 Autumn 2016
News from Progress Housing Group
Value for Independent
Times
Money page 11-14
Report
page 5
Meet our caretakers
page 10
Tenant annual review
page 15
Welcome to your
Head Office: Sumner House,
21 King Street, Leyland,
Lancashire, PR25 2LW tenant´s newsletter
SteetTalk
Open Monday to Friday
8.30am-4.30pm
(new opening hours on 3 month
trial from 1 November 2016)
Warwick House,
Kilnhouse Lane, The last few months have been busy
Lytham St Annes, FY8 3DU
Open Monday, Wednesday and
for us. On page 5 you will see
Friday 9.30am-1.30pm, Tuesday highlights from our annual Value for
and Thursday
12.30-4.30pm Money self-assessment and page 6
Progress Connect details our Development Strategy for the future.
03333 204555
Monday to Friday 8am-6pm You can read about our tenant annual review on
Live web chat page 15 and find out how we performed last year
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Repairs 03333 204555
and how we plan to make our services even better.
repairs@progressgroup.org.uk
www.progressgroup.org.uk Congratulations to the winners of our annual gardening competition
Website – you’ll find all the details on page 16 and 17.
www.progressgroup.org.uk
Email In the Independent Times section on page 11 to 14 you can catch
enquiries@progressgroup.org.uk up on independent living news and find out what residents living in
@ProgressHG our schemes have been up to over the summer.
www.facebook.com/
ProgressStreetTalk If you would like to get in touch about anything in this issue, or have
any feedback or suggestions for StreetTalk, you’ll find our contact
If you would like this newsletter in details on the left of this page.
another format, please contact us.
(Urdu) Bernie Keenan
Executive Director (Housing, Community and Support Services)
(Cantonese)
(Mandarin) Features. . .
(Polish)
Contributors
• Sarah Barnes • Eric Hughes
• Nykkie Burrell • Margaret Lonsdale
• Sian Coulton • Cathy Fleet
• Jag Patel • Ally Kubba
• Sam Beattie • Gary Melia Building homes 7 Key partnership with 19
• Daniel Craine • June NcNamee Nest Lancashire
• Karen Duncan • Ursula Patten
• David Herbert • Eric Tamanis
• Jacky Howcutt • Sue Whitham
• Alison Hughes
How to contribute
If you would like to contribute to
StreetTalk or would like to receive the
newsletter on audio CD then please
contact Joanne Hodson, StreetTalk
Editor, on 0333 204555 or email
Changes to the 18 Safeguarding - 8
jhodson@progressgroup.org.uk benefit cap keeping people safe
Follow us on Twitter 2
News in brief
Lauren, pictured centre.
Progress
in the spotlight!
Progress Housing Group's young tenant, Lauren Buchanon, won
the Young Inspiring Tenant award at this year's Northern Silver Customer
Screen Awards held at the Northern Housing Consortium's Self-Service App
Resident Involvement Conference in Blackpool in June 2016.
Progress Housing Group is
This was for all her involvement, Janet Hale, Chair of the Board for
developing a new mobile
commitment and dedication with Progress Housing Group, said;
app for easy download and
our Youth Forum and community “We are delighted that the hard use by our customers on
projects and for being such an work and dedication of our staff has iOS and Android mobile
inspiration and role model for been shortlisted in these prestigious phones and tablets.
other young people. awards, particularly during these
We were also challenging times.” We are committed to making our
shortlisted in services easier to access at all times of
We are also delighted to day or night and the introduction of this
three categories have been shortlisted in
of the national technology will enable us to make this
three categories at this even more possible.
24Housing year’s Women in Housing
Awards that recognise outstanding Awards. Congratulations go to: We are currently working on the design
organisations and individuals who of the application and what we would
have demonstrated their ability to lare House – Most Effective
C like to see on it. This is likely to include
thrive in the new housing landscape. Project in Improving the Lives providing the ability for tenants to:
These were for: of Women
• view and manage their rent account
est Apprenticeship Scheme
B laire Goodworth – Young
C
– in conjunction with Progress Achiever – Housing & Community • report and track repairs
Futures Development Award • report anti-social behaviour
hief Executive of the Year
C
Janet Hale – Most Effective
•m
anage your tenancy (such as
– Jacqui De-Rose Woman Board Member Award
requesting permissions, requesting
ousing Professional of the Year
H Women in Housing attracted an visits or making changes to your
– Gill Harrison, Under Occupancy impressive 250+ nominations across tenancy)
Officer 10 award categories this year, so we
are really pleased that our projects • fi nd information on getting involved
The final took place in October and and people have been selected in and events in your area
although we did not win, being these three categories. We’ll be working closely with our staff
shortlisted for so many categories and some of our tenants will be testing
means that Progress Housing Group Winners will be revealed following
this year’s Women in Housing the app upon its development before
was recognised on a national stage looking to launch later this year.
and we congratulate all our finalists Conference in Manchester on
Thursday, 3 November. We will We will keep you posted on this!
for their achievements.
keep you posted!
3 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk
News in brief
Look out for our Quarterly prize
draw winner
tenant information Congratulations to Miss Topping
of Leyland who was our prize
draw winner for completing a
online repairs satisfaction questionnaire.
We use this feedback to improve
our services to you. You can
provide feedback by joining a tenant
The following leaflets are available to download feedback group, completing a form
on our website www.progressgroup.org.uk as well on our website, or through filling
as available in our reception areas, community in a satisfaction questionnaire on
an operative’s iPad.
centres and independent living schemes:
We look forward to
hearing from you!
An introduction to aids Improving your home
and adaptations Repairing and maintaining
Asbestos advice your home Tenant annual review
Gas safety checks Our tenant annual review for
Getting involved More will be added 2015/16 can be viewed online at
www.progressgroup.org.uk.
Legionella keeping on the website soon:
the water safe in your home Turn to page 15
Money matters for a short
Moving on summary
Paying your rent Anti-social behaviour
detailing
Preventing damp and Hate crime some of our
condensation in your home Service standards performance
Supporting victims and figures to show
Saving energy you how we
What is Universal Credit witnesses of anti-social
performed in
& how will it affect me? behaviour 2015/16.
Chat with So far the team has chatted to
over 2,000 customers.
us live You can chat live with us
from Monday to Friday
between 9am and 5pm
Got a query about your (excluding bank holidays).
tenancy, property or Just go to our website,
community? Did you know www.progressgroup.org.uk
you can now chat live with and click the box at the bottom
us on our website? right hand of the screen.
We introduced a live chat service You can use chat with us using
on our website earlier this year any internet connected device
to connect you quickly and including your mobile phone
conveniently to our team of or tablet and you can also use Did you als o kno w tha t you can
advisors. The service enables voice recognition if your phone ma ke a pay me nt/v iew you r ren t
you to get in touch with us has the functionality. bal anc e onl ine ?
without needing to pick up the
phone or wait for a response to Get in touch – our team You can do this by logging
an email and is completely free is waiting! onto our website at
to use. www.progressgroup.org.uk/login
Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 4
Value for Money -
self-assessment
Our approach to Value for Money (VFM) helps us to look
at all areas where we can seek to maximise our income
and drive savings within our costs in order to deliver high
quality homes and services.
Our latest Value for Money self-assessment report for
2015/16 is on our website. Here are some highlights:
e have successfully delivered
W e have achieved our target to
W If you can think of any
a total of £1.2 million of VFM reduce our management cost ways that we could save
gains against our target for the per unit from £981 in 2013/14 money or improve our
year of £0.25 million to £933 in 2015/16 services without increasing
our costs, then please
ur target of £0.25 million
O ur performance results show
O get in touch.
was for procurement activities, some significant improvements
but we have achieved further including: a reduction in the
operational savings across the level of voids, an improvement
Group in our right-first-time repairs
e have accelerated our
W performance and an
planned service reviews and improvement in customer
carried out 10 fundamental satisfaction with repairs. You can read or
reviews. These have identified download a copy of
£1 million of future VFM savings our Value for Money
with one-off restructuring costs self-assessment report
in this year at www.progressgroup.
e have continued with our £4
W org.uk/vfm/
million investment programme
in our IT infrastructure since
2012. This is transforming
the way that we work,
improving productivity and
quality, reducing costs and
increasing engagement with
our customers
5 Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk
Development Strategy
- moving us forward
Last year the Board approved an updated strategy for
development to incorporate the government's 2015
requirements for reduced rent over the next four years
and the fact that Housing Benefit would be linked to
Local Housing Allowance for social housing tenancies.
The strategy re-affirms the because they have no suitable development funding for the period
Group’s commitment to creating accommodation to move into. 2016 to 2021. Money that is being
new homes and focuses on five made available is almost exclusively
At the start of this year we formed
key areas: being targeted at shared ownership
a Development Working Party which
homes.
ffordable rented
A included Executive Directors and
accommodation Non-Executive Board Directors. In response we have submitted a
One of its tasks is to ensure that the bid for 30 shared ownership homes
ousing for sale (intermediate
H
strategy remains appropriate in the in Lancashire and bid to support the
housing to include shared
current operating environment. It development of 24 rented specialist
ownership, housing for outright
has so far considered more detailed supported housing apartments
sale and equity products)
business cases for the development in Staffordshire. These rented
upported housing (specialist
S of housing for sale, specialist properties will enable people with
accommodation for individuals supported housing and key worker learning disabilities to move out of
with a range of support needs) accommodation which have refined inappropriate residential settings into
Independent living (housing for the Group’s approach to the delivery purpose-built accommodation where
the elderly) of new homes in these areas. It will they will have a much greater degree
also continue to look at other areas of independence.
ey worker accommodation
K of the strategy going forward.
(mainly for hospital staff)
Significantly, we are now considering
Additionally, we will continue to pursue developing homes for outright
opportunistic projects where they fall sale. We believe this will help us
within the rules of the organisation to generate revenues to support
and the risk appetite of the group. other development activity that may
An example would be identifying provide a lesser or no return on
opportunities to work with the investment.
National Health Service to provide
interim accommodation for people Finally our regulator, the Homes and
who no longer require acute care but Communities Agency, this summer
remain in a hospital setting simply published details of its latest round of
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk 6
Building new homes
The Silks, Galgate, Progress Housing Group are taking
14 units and the proposed mix (all at
Haig Avenue
Lancaster affordable rent) and tenure will be: Following an open day/marketing
4 x 2 bed flats event held in June the eight shared
Progress Housing Group is working
8 x 2 bed houses ownership properties have proved
with Story Homes following a
2 x 2 bed bungalows extremely popular and all are now
referral by Lancaster City Council
under offer awaiting signing of
in relation to a development at These properties will be for: contracts. The affordable element of
Stoney Lane, Galgate.
Persons residing or having a rural the site are all now occupied and in
Planning consent has been granted connection to the parish and housing management.
for the construction of 71 units surrounding parishes
of accommodation of which 28
units are for affordable rent/Shared Persons living in or having a
Ownership. connection to the City of Lancaster
Lancaster is one of our preferred Persons having a local connection
areas of operation and the scheme Persons having a proven need
at Galgate will be the first development for accommodation in this location
opportunity in this area. Progress
Housing Group is, however, working It is anticipated that seven properties
on a number of smaller projects will be handed over towards the end Heritage Brook
throughout the district acting as of October 2016 with the final seven The five shared ownership properties
Development Agents for Lune Valley properties completing in the summer attracted early attention and all these
Rural Housing Association. of 2017. properties have received firm offers
and contracts are proceeding.
PORTED BY
SUP
Lower Lane Big Lunch event
ND
TH
FU
E
O
C
T
MM N
UNI ME
TY INVEST
We held an event at Lower Lane But this did not stop the community If you are interested in using
Community Centre in Freckleton coming down to the centre and the centre or finding out what
on Saturday 9 July to mark joining in with the various activities is happening at the centre
‘The Big Lunch’. and craft sessions that were please contact the Community
taking place. Involvement Team on
The day was a huge success and Tel: 03333 204555 or email
we saw about 80 people turn out! community@progressgroup.
org.uk. It is a super centre with
A big thank you to our stall holders: fantastic facilities.
Lancashire Adult Learning
Preston Vocational Centre
Home Start
Young People’s Service
Rock FM's Cash
It was also an opportunity to show
Progress Champions. for Kids Appeal
the community their centre after We also asked the community for A big well done to Lower Lane
it had been closed for a couple of their views, opinions and feedback estate tenants Sabrina MacDonald
months having undergone major on the Lower Lane Estate itself and and Sara Stockton who worked
works and a complete redecoration the area to the rear of the centre tirelessly to raise funds for Rock
throughout. which, at the time of the event, FM’s Cash for Kids Appeal this
looked like a jungle! We will continue summer. They may not have won,
Weather wise we could not have to work with residents on the issues but their efforts were fantastic.
picked a worse day – it poured they raised and hope to be able to Keep up the good work girls!
down all day, so it was not great for create a much nicer, safer space to
those who were looking forward to the rear of the centre.
a go on the bouncy castle!
7 Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG
Safeguarding
- keeping people safe
Safeguarding is about However if you see anything which identify some patterns:
protecting children, young concerns you, the best thing to do he number of safeguarding
T
people and vulnerable adults is alert social services directly or referrals we are making is
from abuse or neglect. Due where a criminal activity is going increasing - adult referrals in
to age, disability, illness or on call the police. They will be able particular
lifestyle they may not be able to talk through the details and take
to protect themselves and so action as appropriate. eglect is by far the most
N
there is guidance and legislation common form of abuse reported
Since we started recording and and accounts for around half of
to help protect vulnerable
monitoring our safeguarding all referrals made
adults and children.
referrals in January 2013, we have
eyland receives by far the most
L
Every day, abuse of adults and made a total of 118 referrals to
referrals along with the South
children at risk goes unreported. the relevant local authority. The
Ribble district as a whole, though
Agencies involved with adults and Local Authority Safeguarding Team
this is not too surprising as this
children who might be at risk of assesses all referrals and is best
is where we have most of our
abuse have a duty of care to make placed to ensure that vulnerable
houses
sure that procedures are in place to adults and children are provided
encourage reporting of suspected with the support and help that lmost two thirds of referrals
A
abuse, and take action to stop the they need. In many cases, this will made by Progress Housing
abuse. We review our policy and involve other agencies such as Group are for general need
procedures annually to ensure that healthcare professionals, housing, households
we are able to identify and report the police and schools. If you have any concerns, the
any suspected abuse. numbers to call in Lancashire are:
When we have a concern or What we've learnt Safeguarding Adults:
concerns are highlighted to us, Abuse can happen anywhere and 0300 123 6721
we will, assuming the criteria is met, looking at statistics alone does Safeguarding Children:
make a safeguarding referral to the not capture all cases of abuse. 0300 123 6720 or out of hours
relevant safeguarding team. However, we have been able to 0300 123 6722 (8pm - 8am)
Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 8
All change
Progress Forward on the Board
Update on our service review Following consultation with tenants,
the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
on 5 September 2016 has now
In the last edition of StreetTalk we gave an update brought in the single board for
the Group and all its subsidiaries
on our change management project, Progress (Progress Housing Group Limited;
Forward. This is a major programme that is looking New Progress Housing Association
Limited; New Fylde Housing Limited;
at all areas of the business to make sure that Progress Care Housing Association
the way we deliver services to our tenants and Limited). The Board is responsible for
all of the Group’s housing and related
customers is the most efficient and effective it can be. services. This change is part of our
As a result, we are making are using mobile technology that efficiency drive and our one team
significant changes to the way allows them to do their work approach to delivering our services.
we deliver services. Here are whilst out and about on our As part of this transition we say
some examples: estates, visiting customers. Tasks goodbye to some of our long-serving
are dispatched to mobile workers Non-Executive Directors who have
ealing with enquiries at
D
by our Progress Connect Team completed nine years’ service on
the first point of contact
if they have been unable to deal various boards and committees
Our Progress Connect Team
with an enquiry at the first point across the Group. These are:
deals with most enquiries
of contact. So increasingly you
that come into the Group – Viv Willder Michael Barton
will see staff visiting you using a
by telephone, by email, in
securely encrypted iPad to deal
writing, by web chat and through
with your enquiry rather than
social media such as Twitter
large amounts of paperwork.
and Facebook. The team aim
to deal with these enquiries at Changing our staffing
this first point of contact and structures Bill Staines Phil Whitworth
only pass the enquiry onto one We have changed a number of
of our dedicated teams if they staffing structures to make the
are not able to resolve or deal way we deliver services more
with the matter themselves. effective and to make best
This has involved significant use of mobile technology. For
investment in new IT and training instance, our independent living Tony Hindle
for staff. We also introduced one co-ordinators (formerly scheme We thank them
for their input and
telephone number for most of managers), now work in teams
their support to the
our enquiries to make it easier covering a geographical area Group and wish them
for customers to contact us - rather than being dedicated well for the future
03333 204555. to one or two schemes.
We now welcome Gwyneth Sarkar,
We consulted with independent Phil Hodgett, Suzanne Horrill and
igital by choice
D
living tenants before Andrew Greenhill onto the Board
We have reviewed our website
implementing this and we will be who join Janet Hale (Chair),
to make it more user-friendly
going back shortly to get their Gwynne Furlong (Deputy Chair),
and functional for tenants to
feedback. We also consulted Isla Wilson, Malcolm Clarke and
access services. Our Scrutiny
with tenants before changing Sallie Bridgen who are our continuing
Pool has also recently reviewed
staffing structures in relation Non-Executive Directors.
the website and fed back some
to the Community Involvement In addition, to support the work of
recommendations that we are
Team. We are proposing further the Group’s committees, we welcome
working on. We are currently
changes to this team and we Brian Ricketts, Kaye Grogan, Nic
implementing a customer
will be consulting with tenants Gower and Deborah Shackleton who
app for download onto your will join our Audit and Remuneration
on these proposals.
smartphone or tablet and our and Nominations committees.
Communications Panel will be We wish them all well with their
Our review will continue until
involved in the testing of this. work for the Group.
the early part of 2017. We will
(See article on page 3).
continue to keep you updated For more information about the
oing mobile
G through StreetTalk. Board, please visit our website
More and more of our staff www.progressgroup.org.uk
9 Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk
Meet our caretakers
The primary role of the
caretakers is the upkeep Our caretakers will: Our caretakers do not:
and the appearance of the remove some types of rubbish remove items that are recyclable
estates in which they work. help tenants to remove some as these can be put in the local
Caretakers are the 'eyes items to reduce fly tipping authority recycling bin or box
and ears' of the Group on the remove fly tipping in some remove any domestic waste
instances left in black bags as these
estate. They also undertake must be disposed of in an
estate inspections, carry out remove graffiti appropriate bin provided by
report repairs the local authority.
weekly fire safety checks to
communal areas and work Please note:
closely with other agencies It is your responsibility to keep your
who work in the area.
property and neighbourhood tidy.
Here are our caretakers and areas that they manage:
Andy Dunning Dave Bryant
Areas covered:
Kingsfold Estate,
Areas covered: Penwortham, Lostock
Lytham, Hall, Wade Hall Estate,
Ansdell, Peacock Hall Road/
St Annes, Welsby Road,
Blackpool Longton, Much Hoole,
and Walmer Bridge
Paul Bramhall Robert Knowles
Areas covered:
Areas covered:
Kirkham and
Leyland Central,
Wesham, Freckleton,
Broadfield, Bamber
Newton, Clifton,
Bridge, Accrington,
Warton, Staining,
Clitheroe, Chorley
Singleton and
and Walton-le-Dale
Fleetwood
To make an appointment for all caretaker requests,
please contact our Progress Connect Team on 03333 204555.
Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 10Independent
Autumn 2016
Times
Welcome to the
autumn edition of the
Independent Times
I hope that you have all enjoyed the
spells of hot weather that we have
experienced now and again!
The new way of delivering your Blood Bike Pop up boutique
support service through area teams
Fundraising and fashion!
commenced in June this year so
I hope that you have all got used to
seeing more than one independent
living co-ordinator (formerly known
as the scheme managers) on At the beginning of September we Some of the activities will include:
your scheme and have got to held a second fashion show in aid Barton Grange & canal cruise,
know some new faces! I would of St. Catherine’s Hospice raising Christmas parties, tea time panto,
be very interested in your feedback, £430, thank you to everyone that social cabaret nights, quiz afternoons/
good or bad, to how you feel it is supported the event and to all evenings, shopping trips, dementia
working. those who donated raffle prizes. friends information sessions, Liverpool
We have also been running coffee trip, local history talks, lunches,
During the next few months June
mornings with a raffle and pop pop up boutique, craft sessions,
McNamee, Gill Shaw and myself
up charity shop for this local storytelling, falls prevention talks and
will be visiting your schemes to
charity. much more.
hopefully have a chance to talk to
you at your coffee mornings so do Each year Tuson House choose a If you would like to get involved
look out for the posters when we charity to raise money for, the charity in any of these or you would like
will be on your scheme. for 2016 is North West Blood Bikes help organising an event at your
– there have been cabaret nights, scheme please contact Sam
Until then I hope that you enjoy
raffles, fairs and the Crafty Women’s Beattie on 03333 204555.
the articles in this edition of the
stall can often be seen at local events.
Independent Times and if you have
As the festive season (don’t mention Please keep an eye on our
any stories that you would like us
to print please send them in. Christmas) approaches there will website www.progressgroup.org.
be a number of fairs, raffles, coffee uk and Facebook page to find out
Thank you about events coming up.
mornings, shoe boxes filled and crafts
made and sold for charity. If you are
having an event and would like it
advertising please let us know.
Sue Whitham
Head of Over the next three months there
Independent will be a lot of activities going on in
and around the independent living
Living
schemes.
03333 204555
Lowerfield, Farington Marie Curie
afternoon tea
11 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalkIndependent Times
Spotlight on Supporting People
Funding
Ashwood Court You may remember receiving a
questionnaire from Lancashire
County Council (LCC) regarding
Work has been completed on a A new modern kitchen has been the future of Supporting People
programme of improvement works fitted which is open and easily Funding earlier this year. This
at one of Progress Housing Group’s accessible to tenants who use is the funding that pays for the
independent living schemes in wheelchairs and walking frames. support service you receive living
Longton. in an independent living scheme
Residents just love the space
Residents at Ashwood Court are and design of the kitchen area and goes towards the cost of the
thrilled with the work that has been commenting that it is so much independent living co-ordinators,
carried out to their communal bigger and better. They now have mobile warden and emergency
lounge and kitchen. a dishwasher which saves time response service.
after the many social events and The funding also pays for the alarm
The communal lounge has a new
lunches now held at the scheme. equipment that is found in your
carpet, decoration and blinds.
property and allows you to pull
the cord or press the pendant in
an emergency to our 24-hour
Control Centre.
We have recently had confirmation
from LCC that the Supporting People
Funding will cease for independent
living on 31 March 2017. We will
be reviewing the various options for
the future funding of the service and
consult with you later in the year.
Before
Working together to
provide a better service
Three months ago the independent
living co-ordinators began to work
in area teams. With changed
working patterns and more flexibility
they are able to provide better
services to our tenants. A number of
meetings are soon to be held with
Sue Whitham and June McNamee
to receive tenant feedback.
Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 12at the beginning of October. All of
Bus Stop! Activities for all! these events are open to everyone,
Following the closure of the Once female dominated, the but it is giving a more inclusive list
Fishwick bus service we started a male population is growing in our of activities so that everyone can be
shuttle bus around the independent independent living schemes. involved.
living schemes in the Leyland area We wanted to extend our social For more information
that had been hit by the reduction activities to reflect this change so please contact Sam Beattie
or withdrawal of the bus service. earlier this hear we had a meeting on 03333 204555.
This service was planned to run with the some of the male tenants
for three months to see if it was from the Wesham and St. Annes
needed. At the beginning of August area and asked what they would
the service was stopped due to like to do.
lack of use.
A number of ideas were put on
The reduction of bus services the table. For instance, instead of
around some of the independent a coffee morning there is now a
living schemes is still a concern as bacon butty lunch in Wesham every
this limits independence. If you are Wednesday at 1pm. We are also
having problems getting out and looking at day trips that are a bit
about because of the changes to more male friendly and we held a
public transport please let us know social evening at Derby House
by contacting Sam Beattie
on 03333 204555.
Mainway Court
After careful consideration and
following the review of our
independent living schemes,
in May 2016 Progress Housing
Group took the difficult decision
to decommission Mainway
Court in Bamber Bridge.
This follows a review into the made in early June there were nine Since June, of the 34 remaining
on-going challenge of filling this 43 empty properties. tenants, 20 have already moved
unit scheme, despite a number of to one of our independent living
We have consulted and met with the
marketing initiatives, which means schemes or other properties.
tenants on a number of occasions
that Mainway Court is no longer We will continue to work with
and will support and work closely
providing the high standard of each of the remaining tenants to
with them and their families during
accommodation we want our tenants do everything we can to ensure
this difficult time to ensure that we
to enjoy. that priority is given to them for
find suitable alternative homes for
the scheme of their choice.
At the time the Board decision was those affected by this news.
13 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalkIndependent Times
Community Café
"It was early one morning and if you know me I am not
a morning person, that I woke with a new idea that I was
going to let loose on the independent living tenants, a
community café!
We all talk about how things This is how the Lowerhouse Sam Beattie,
used to be. You could go out Community Café was born. It Independent
for the day and not lock the is exactly what it says on the Living Activities
front door, you knew all your tin – a café for the community. Co-ordinator,
neighbours (and what they got Lowerhouse Community centre is a 03333 204555.
up to), people were accepted centre that feeds three independent
as part of the community, living schemes; it has two
births, marriages and deaths independent living co-ordinators
the neighbours all rallied round and is in close proximity to a
to help out. So why can this number of shops and local housing
neighbourly spirit not come estates. An ideal situation!
alive in our communities
On Friday 9 September the café
once again? Yes, times have
opened its doors for the first time,
changed, things do – whether
with help from the Community
we like it or not. So why not
Involvement Team, the scheme
approach building a neighbourly
co-ordinator and Progress Futures.
community in a different way?
The local community came to see
what it was all about - a brew and
bacon butty for £1.50 is great value!
People came, chatted and had a
great morning, it was a pleasure
to see. Week two was more of the
same with local councillors Jane
Bell and Mal Donoghue calling in
for a chat with local residents.
We are hoping to get a whole host The café is open every
of local services involved in the Friday from 9.30am to
café, offering a drop-in service or 12pm, call in and see
advice sessions.”
us and bring a friend!
Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 14Progress We have
Together
tenant annual review for 2015/16
10,832
homes
Our tenant annual review for 2015/16 tells you how we performed last year
and how we plan to make our services even better.
The review will be available
to view and download
Your feedback is important to us as
we use this to continually improve Key highlights
from our website our services. If you would like to
get involved, whether it be providing We have had another great year
www.progressgroup.org.uk. and are performing well in many
informal feedback or attending a
meeting to help benefit you and key areas. Here’s a selection of
your community, just email performance figures to show you
enquiries@progressgroup.org.uk, how we performed in 2015/16.
go online at www.progressgroup.
Progress org.uk or speak to one of our
Together Community Involvement Team
on 03333 204555.
Our annual review 2015/16
Over 39,500
The report is focused around the repairs
standards set by the government’s completed
Homes and Communities Agency,
which oversees the work of all
housing associations.
106
new homes
built
£12.1m spent on
repairing your
homes
513
aids and adaptations
provided to support
independent
living
91% £1.2m
of tenants satisfied invested in technology
with the overall to better deliver
service our services
15 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.ukBlooming Gardening
Marvellous Competition 2016
A total of 72 entries were received for the gardening
competition this year, the largest entry to date.
Cathy and Andrea from the Community Front garden: 15 entries Communal: 13 entries
Involvement Team battled through
the rain to take pictures for the tenant 1st Elaine Thompson – Penwortham 1st Gordon Duggan – Lytham
judging panel. The overall quality of the St Anne’s
gardens was very high this year and
has seen tenants coming together
to work on their outside space,
from pots to potatoes!
The tenant judging panel said:
“It was lovely to see lots of different
people from all walks of life come
together and grow many beautiful
flowers, and be proud of what they 2nd Maurice & Hazel Crossley
have achieved. – Burneside
It was inspiring how one patch of 3rd Steven Raw – Staining
land can be made into something
2nd Maureen Rafferty – St Anne’s
so beautiful and eye catching to Rear garden: 17 entries 3rd Anthony Bamber & Mildred
others. It made me happy when
1st Andrea Suthers – Leyland Oates – Leyland
looking through the pictures and has
inspired me to get out there and do
something for myself and to help Edible: 2 entries
others. 1st Brian Gilbert – Wesham
Having been asked to be a judge for
this year’s gardening competition,
I was impressed by the number of
entries. I was pleased to see that all
entrants had given 100% and their
displays were a sign of their efforts.
It was difficult to make a decision 2nd Sylvia Bibby – Leyland
because there were so many 3rd Mary Rand, Phillip Brothers,
incredible displays to choose from.” Andrew Pearce – Nottingham
2nd Linda Dilworth – Leyland
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk 16Container: 16 entries Best improved: 7 entries Kids sunflower: 2 entries
1st Barbara Gardner & May Spiby 1st Katarzyna Jaworek & Edyta Joint 1st
– Farington Roszkowska – Leyland Harvey Adamson (Leyland) &
Zaccaria Roney (Weeton)
2nd Carol & Russ – Leyland 2nd Stuart & Susan Solomon –
3rd Audrey Conway – Warton
Bamber Bridge 3rd Janet Kearns – Leyland
Spotlight on volunteer Cherish into what areas of the community How much time have you had
Meet volunteer, Cherish investments should be made. to give?
Taylor aged 28 from I had mentioned my interest in I have only had to give a few hours
Leyland, who is a community development projects per month in order to be involved,
and opportunities for tenants but received much more in return.
member of the Progress to Jacky and I was invited to
Futures working party. What type of work have you
come along to a meeting and put been involved in?
forward some of my ideas.
So far I have only attended
What kind of work do you meetings but will hopefully be
undertake as part of the involved in future projects.
group?
What do you enjoy about being
I attend the meetings and put part of the working party?
forward any ideas I may have. I listen
to the ideas and suggestions of Having my voice and ideas heard.
the other members and we decide Hearing about the potential
which ideas should be taken further. new opportunities that could be
available to tenants in the future.
What skills do you think you Meeting new people.
What made you decide to have developed by being
become a member of the involved? What are the benefits for you
working party? I believe that I have gained being a member?
I first became involved with presentation skills and the courage For me the benefits of being a
Progress Futures in the hope of to speak in front of a group. My part of the group are endless and
building a business. Unfortunately listening skills have improved and the fact that I can even use the
this did not provide a regular, reliable I have learnt first hand the process meetings as a part of my work
income so with the support of and procedures of getting an experience for my degree is just
my family, and encouragement idea to a project. Throughout another added bonus.
from Jacky Howcutt at Progress this process I have met some
Futures, I applied to university! If you would like to be part of
lovely people who I may not have
this or the community events
The working party was formed in otherwise conversed PORTED BY
SUP
working party, or would like
order to give the tenants of Progress with, but I am grateful
further information, please
Housing Group a voice and input to have met.
contact a member of the
ND
Community Involvement Team
TH
FU
E
O
C
T
MM N
UNI ME
TY INVEST
on 03333 204555.
17 Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHGChanges to the
benefit cap
November 2016
There is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people Who it applies to:
aged 16 to 64 can get. This is called the benefit cap. 16-64 year olds
How much you get for certain benefits may go down to make
sure the total you get isn't more than the cap amount. The cap
amount and the benefits that are affected by the cap will be
Who is not affected:
changing in November 2016. If you work and are eligible for
working tax credits
Benefit cap amounts for outside Greater London In receipt of Universal Credit and
Household Income is more than
Current rate New £430 per month after tax and
£500/week £26,000 per year, £384.62/week £20,000 per year National Insurance.
for couples whether they have
children or not
£500/week £26,000 per year, £384.62/week £20,000 per year If you are affected by the benefits
for single parents
cap your Housing Benefit or
£350/ week £18,200 per year for £257.59/week £13,400 per year Universal Credit will be reduced to
single parents whose children don’t
live with them bring your total benefits payments
to within the limit that applies to you.
This could mean that you will have to
Benefits affected by the cap start paying towards the rent shortfall
or increase current rent payments to
Benefits included in the cap Benefits that aren’t included avoid rent arrears.
Bereavement Allowance Armed Forces Compensation Please contact the Financial
Carers Allowance (not affected by Armed Forces Independence Inclusion Team on 03333 204555 if
the cap from autumn 2016) you need further information or if you
Child Benefit Attendance Allowance are concerned about being able to
Child Tax Credit Carers Allowance afford your future rent payments.
Employment and Support Allowance Disability Living Allowance More information can be found
about the benefits cap at:
Guardian’s Allowance (not affected Employment & Support Allowance
by the cap from autumn 2016) (if you get the support component) www.gov.uk/benefit-cap
Housing Benefit Guardian’s Allowance There is a benefits cap calculator
that allows you to work out if you
Incapacity Benefit Industrial Injuries Benefit
will be affected, unfortunately it does
Income Support Personal Independence Payment not work at the moment for people
Jobseekers Allowance Universal Credit (sickness/not fit for work claiming Universal Credit:
group or carer`s cost element being paid or www.gov.uk/benefit-cap-
income more than £430/month net)
calculator
Maternity Allowance War Pensions
A useful summary of other 2016
Severe Disablement Allowance Working Tax Credit benefit changes including the
Widowed Parents Allowance benefits cap can be found at:
Universal Credit (unless you’ve had a www.entitledto.co.uk/help/
work capability assessment and aren’t fit benefit_changes_april_2016
for work)
Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 18Key partnership
with Nest Lancashire
Key Unlocking Futures is Progress Housing Group's
charity which works to help people build better lives.
Nest Lancashire is the brand new Experiencing or witnessing a crime needs of each young person
service aimed at helping young can be really frightening. Being and offers both emotional and
victims of Crime in Lancashire hassled, bullied or threatened is not practical
Ansupport. We listen to young
and has been funded by Clive ok. It is normal to feel upset, angry, people2andnu a l
014/1 Repthem
empower to feel
orint control.”
Grunshaw the Police and Crime frightened or scared following the more confident5and more
Commissioner. Key are experience. You may feel fine one
excited to be part of this moment and overwhelmed the next. Nest are now taking referrals
innovative new service. Everyone deals with the effects and young people or agencies
of crime differently, whatever you can text NEST and their contact
Youngsters aged ten to 18 will benefit are feeling, we are here to support number to 60777 or call the local
from one to one support, group you. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t number 0300 111 0323 to get help.
sessions with other young people, contacted the police or if the incident Nest Lancashire can be emailed
access to social activities and help to happened a long time ago. Even if on info@nestlancashire.org
rebuild their confidence and feel safe you are unsure of whether what has
again following an incident. Nest Lancashire brings together
happened to you is classed as a six key services to operate
Clive Grunshaw said: “I have crime, we are here to help. There is across Lancashire including Key
launched Nest Lancashire to ensure no crime too small or too big for us to Unlocking Futures, Groundwork,
that Lancashire’s young people can be able to support you. Lancashire Mind, Pendle Action in
access the support they deserve Corrine Bushell, Key’s support the Community, UR potential and
following a crime. Being a victim of worker says: “The young people Cumbria University. Key will provide
crime can be a very difficult thing to currently receiving support range the support to young victims across
get over and Nest offers extra comfort from those who have suffered as a Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and
and support, particularly to those who result of a serious crime to those who West Lancashire with all referrals
may not have family support or may are affected by incidents that may being referred through a central hub
struggle to share their ordeal with lead to a crime if left unsupported co-ordinated by Groundwork.
loved ones. Nest will ensure that our such as ongoing bullying, teasing,
young people can access support peer isolation, cyberbullying etc. The
when they need it in a way that suits support is flexible and tailored to the
them best.”
Fond farewell
At its Annual General Meeting, Key her time on the Board. Janice’s input The Board will now comprise
said goodbye to one of its longest will be greatly missed, however the Gwen Crawford, Lynne Cubbin, Kaye
serving members, Janice Bennett, Board has successfully recruited Grogan, Janet Hale, Violet Barnard,
who has worked with great Beryl Rhodes who brings a wealth of Victoria Smith, Kevin Mordue and
dedication and seen Key grow over financial experience. Beryl Rhodes.
You can now like and follow us on www.facebook.com/KeyUnlockingFutures/
and @KeyYouthCharity
Annu
19 Pay your rent2 014 atawww.progressgroup.org.uk
online
/15
l Rep
or tFrom L to R – Tony Crawford, Chair of The
Leyland Project, Maggie Cole, Senior Youth
and Community Worker, The Leyland Project,
Ali Hughes, Community Involvement Officer
at Progress Housing Group and Karen Beech
from Broadfield Community Association.
The Base Community
Painting Project CIT Training
Courses SUP
PORTED BY
We teamed up with Bell Group This project was a fantastic Learn
(our external painting contractor) opportunity for the community to something
on Tuesday 30 August to deliver work together and learn new skills new...
this community project. whilst creating a better space for
ND
The community
TH
FU
E
everyone to enjoy. Some afternoon learning sessions
O
C
T
MM N
UNI ME
TY INVEST
sessions were specifically designated that started in April
for our supported living customers have been a huge success and we
who thoroughly enjoyed being are very much looking forward to
continuing to work with Lancashire
part of the project. Adult Learning going forward into
the new academic year. We have
met with them several times over
the last couple of months and are
now in the final stages of agreeing
The project lasted two weeks a timetable of new training courses
in total and saw The Base (including Maths and English) and
other taster sessions that customers
Community Centre undergo a full
have been able to attend since
redecoration and revamp. A relaunch and celebration event September. The sessions will
was held on Friday 9 September continue to be delivered from our
to show the new centre off to the community centres, both in South
Ribble and Fylde areas.
local community who thought it
looked fabulous. All course information can
be found on our website.
The Base Community Centre is one If you would like to book
of the venues we use for our a place, please contact the
community learning courses – all Community Involvement
course information can be found Team on 03333 204555 or
on our website. If you would like email them on community@
to book a place, please contact progressgroup.org.uk
the Community Involvement We can assist with childcare
Team on 03333 204555 and transport costs if this
or email them on community@ is required.
progressgroup.org.uk
Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 20Taking up The Challenge!
Over the summer Progress Housing Group joined forces once again with the
National Citizen Service (NCS), a youth empowerment programme that helps
15 to 17 year olds to make extraordinary friendships, learn the skills they don't
teach you in class and create unforgettable memories.
Young people from all over the We started the summer with two Progress Housing Group’s
North West joined for three weeks games afternoons at Tuson House Community Investment Panel
over the summer to take up – the young people organised some supports this scheme, and offered
‘The Challenge’, learn new skills, games and sporting activities for the free places to young tenants to take
interact with a range of people tenants and in return the tenants part in the programme.
and to have fun. We provided showed the young people what
opportunities for them to engage social activities they did. Charlotte Watkins
with our independent living
The first large project was at Derby
customers and our communities
House where benches were built,
at the following schemes:
gardens and grounds were tidied,
Tuson House, Penwortham a bird feeding area built and a
greenhouse put together.
Derby House, Wesham – assisted
with building a green house Following this we had drama
activity days at Old Mill Court and
Old Mill Court, Walmer Bridge –
at Boundary Close. One cold,
social mixing event through drama Charlotte Watkins, aged 16,
wet August Monday Lower Lane
Boundary Close, New Longton – community centre was the location from Chorley said: SUP
PORTED BY
constructed new planters and for a group of determined students “I have loved doing the
new garden furniture who despite the torrential rain got NCS Challenge this
stuck in and cleared the overgrown summer. We have
Lower Lane community centre, done so many things
raised garden beds and made them
ND
TH
Freckleton – cleared the
FU
– made new friends,
E
O
ready for planting.
C
T
MM N
ME
community garden jumped in rivers and took
UNI
TY INVEST
The final task of the summer was park in community work like this
to build raised beds for use by all one at Lower Lane community
tenants at the front of Boundary centre. I would like to say thank you
Close community centre. These to Progress Housing Group too,
beds, designed by Preston Vocational who funded me to do this course
Centre, are fully accessible and have through their community investment
been filled with annual flowering fund for tenants.”
plants that not only look wonderful
but attract wildlife. The group built If you have a child or grandchild
the beds, located them, fixed them in who is in year 11 and is leaving
place, painted and filled them. school in 2017 please encourage
them to take up ‘The Challenge’,
they won’t regret it.
21 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalkProgress Futures
Are you looking for or school. Progress Futures is all Continuous friendly help,
about you. Our approach is to support and encouragement
a change in career? talk to you on a one-to-one basis throughout
Thinking of updating to establish together what we can So who is Progress Futures open
do to support you to achieve your
your CV? Or signing up goals.
to? Progress Futures is for all
customers of Progress Housing
for a college course Group to include those family
but don't quite know How will Progress Futures help members living in the household.
me to achieve my goals? There It’s not just for young people or
how to go about the are many ways Progress Futures older people.
change? can support you in achieving your
goals: We offer apprenticeship and
We have a free service traineeship opportunities for our
Arranging specific training in
to help you improve basic job skills just for you
customers which have a learning
or training element attached.
your employment Supporting you to apply for These roles are advertised solely
prospects through training courses at local to our customers on a fixed-term
training and education. colleges [of your choice] basis each year.
Arranging work experience at
Progress Futures is an innovative PHG or in other companies In 2015 we created
service to help customers and eight opportunities; four
their family members to improve Providing apprenticeships and apprenticeships, two in gas
their employment prospects traineeship within PHG engineering and two electricians
through accessing training and Help to create a CV, open a and also four traineeships, two in
education. Progress Futures aims Universal Job Match account housing management and two
to tackle worklessness through a and to complete an application administrative trainees within the
person-centred approach, which form Community Involvement Team.
is the core value at the heart of
Interview preparation This year we have created a
Progress Futures. This means
we do not tell people what to do, Help towards the cost of a further two apprenticeships;
but rather ask people what their training course or course one joiner and one bricklayer
objectives and aspirations are, materials and two traineeships in housing
enabling them to achieve these. management.
roviding practical help, such
P
as temporary child care
You might be wondering, how or a contribution towards
does Progress Futures work? transport costs whilst attending
Progress Futures isn’t a college job interviews
Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 22Progress
Champions
Roadshows
Coming soon to an Since that first visit the champions to help others with computer
have visited more of our skills, whether basic or advanced
independent living independent living schemes and they will happily work with
scheme near you... including: groups of people or individuals
on a one-to-one basis.
The Progress Champion Ancenis Court, Kirkham
Roadshows started on 24 May St John’s Court, Lytham If you would like the help of
with a visit to Orchard Grange, St Annes a Progress Champion please
one of our independent living Amounderness Court, Kirkham complete and submit the
schemes in Penwortham. Half Ashwood Court, Longton referral form on our website
a dozen residents attended the Liggard Court, Lytham. or contact the Community
session which has proved to be Involvement Team on
The Progress Champions hope
a roaring success. One or two 03333 204555 or email
to visit all of our schemes over the
residents who had never used a them on community@
coming months to help people
computer before left the session progressgroup.org.uk
become more digitally aware.
ready to purchase an iPad! Proof and they will arrange for a
that it’s never too late to learn! Our Progress Champions are champion to contact you.
tenants who volunteer their time
Scrutiny Pool - we need you!
The Scrutiny Pool is a tenant led group that inspects
and scrutinises our services to make improvements
for our customers.
As a Scrutiny Pool member report and recommendations If the Scrutiny Pool sounds
you will be able to make vital on the customer experience like something you would be
recommendations to Progress of the Group’s website. The interested in, then we would be
Housing Group. Over the last report makes recommendations delighted to welcome you to the
few years the Pool have assisted around how to make it easier next quarterly meeting at Sumner
in improvements for the repairs for customers to report repairs House, Leyland on Wednesday
service, low level arrears letters, online and how to use more 16 November at 2pm.
service charge descriptions and the customer friendly language on
tenant handbook, to name a few. the website. The action plan for If you would like to attend
these recommendations will be please contact the Community
The Scrutiny Pool has now presented at the next quarterly Involvement Team on 03333
published 12 reports and has meeting in November. 204555 or email community@
recently finalised their latest progressgroup.org.uk
23 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.ukWorking to reduce voids
Year on year we aim to improve or maintain our performance. Last time we discussed
voids, performance had got worse and since then we have been working hard to
make improvements.
What are voids? How are we performing? How have we improved
Voids are properties which are The following table shows how we performance?
empty. There are a number of are performing in the three main key We have been working hard to
reasons why homes become indicators compared to previous improve voids performance, we have:
empty. They may be in the process years within general needs and
of being let, refurbished or sold. We independent living accommodation. improved voids reporting
monitor voids through three key introduced a pilot to let 25% of
September
indicators: March 2015 March 2016
2016 voids outside the choice based
1. The percentage of voids against lettings schemes
% of voids 1.4% 0.9% 1.1%
stock which monitors the undertaken a sustainability review
current number of voids Rent loss 1.7% 1.3% 1.0% of one of our independent living
2. Rent lost due to voids which Relet time
schemes
44.6 46.9 35.1
monitors the money we have (days)
utilised Rightmove to market voids
lost due to a property being void
The main improvement in pdated our website to better
u
3. Average relet time which performance can be seen in the promote our properties
monitors the time it has taken rent loss due to voids which has
from a previous tenant moving reduced in both general needs and What next?
out to the next tenant moving in independent living accommodation. We continue to look for new ways to
What happens if we do not The time we take to move a new improve performance.
manage voids well? tenant in once a tenant has moved A review was completed in
out has also improved. However, March 2016 to look at the way we
We recognise the importance of
we know we need to do more and manage voids and to remove any
monitoring voids well as it could
are looking at ways we can relet wasted time or unnecessary actions.
have a negative effect on your
properties more quickly.
neighbourhood. It can decline the We are continuing to review stock
appearance of the neighbourhood Our overall number of voids has type and will be completing further
and reduce community spirit. increased but remains within target. sustainability reviews as required.
We are looking at how we can
We are targeting our marketing to
support people to sustain their
attract new applicants, and constant
Any comments? tenancy and to reduce the number
reviews are taking place to address
of our empty properties.
If you have any questions or areas of low demand.
suggestions, please contact
us on 03333 204555 or
email enquiries@
progressgroup.org.uk
You can view more performance information online at
www.progressgroup.org.uk/our-performance
Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 24You can also read
