Digital Switchover Webinar Cancelled

We are sorry to announce that for reasons beyond our control we are going to have to postpone our scheduled webinar 'The Digital Switchover and the Housing Sector'.

We are hoping to reschedule for October. We will be contacting everyone who signed up individually.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Below is our revised Webinar schedule for the year.

Details of all our webinars and sign up details can be found here.

9th September 2010 - Understanding the Equality Bill
Join this webinar to find out how the new Equality Act will affect
your organisation and discuss the anticipated statutory codes of
practice and non statutory Guidance which will be published
September 2010.


21st September 2010 - Prezi Presentation Software
Prezi is a presentation tool that uses a map layout and zooming
to show contextual relationships.


5th October 2010 - e-Enabling Engagement
This webinar will show you a number of tools already available and
in use that your organisation could easily use as part of the
engagement strategy.


9th November 2010 - Social Networking in Tenant Engagement
This webinar will share best practice of Social Networking in tenant
engagement and give ideas of how your organisation could use
social networking as a key element of its communication and
engagement strategy.


8th December 2010 - Social Networking
This webinar will cover how to integrate social networking into your
workplace, how to engage with staff and customers through social
networking and how to use social networking to inc raise awareness
amongst colleagues and customers.

The New Housing e-Academy Blog!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our brand new blog!

You can find it here BLOG

Please take a peek and subscribe to keep up with all of the latest news, articles, discussions, reviews, competitons and special offers from the Housing and Training technology sectors.

All feedback is most welcome so comment away!

Member News: Howard Cottage's Madge Has a Recipe for a Long and Happy Life

Howard Cottage tenant Madge Moore celebrated her 100th birthday in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family, friends, flowers and cards - including one from Her Majesty The Queen.

Friday was a very special day for Mrs Madge Moore. Having reached the grand old age of 100, her house was a hive of activity, with a never-ending stream of bouquet-bearing visitors arriving to offer their congratulations.

Presenting Madge with a colourful bouquet, Howard Cottage Chairman Sarah Wren said: "We are so privileged to have you as one of our residents. We feel very proud of you too, and wanted to celebrate with you. You are our oldest and longest-serving tenant, and we hope you'll continue living here happily for many years to come."

When asked about the secret of her longevity, Madge said: "I've lived a long and happy life; I'm not a boisterous person and I've never been one to make a lot of noise. I have a wonderful family, with five grand-children and four great-grandchildren - they really look after me. And Howard Cottage has been absolutely marvellous during all my years living in its properties."

Born in London in 1910, Madge moved to Letchworth at the age of eight, when she and her family lodged with a German landlady at Common View, before moving to Jackmans Place. She attended Norton School until she was 14, when she entered the world of work at Garden City Press, where she folded papers and bound books.

In 1934 Madge married furniture maker Bert Moore. The following year they moved to a brand-new home in Archers Way, owned by Howard Cottage Housing Association. "It felt really posh," she said. "That's where I had my two boys, Gordon and Doug. It was always a busy house, and during the war years we had two very friendly girls - evacuees - living with us as part of the family."

Twenty-four years later came a move to another Howard Cottage property in Grange Road, where Madge has lived ever since. Hers was always a lively household and among the many incidents she recalls is the time when son Gordon blew the roof off the hen house while conducting a scientific experiment.

www.howard-cottage.co.uk

Member News: Customers Invited to Scrutinise Berneslai Homes

Over 40 customers attended Berneslai Homes' regular Customer Panel which was held earlier this month at the Metrodome.

Attendees wanted to find out how their involvement has helped shape the work they have done around the new regulatory framework as directed by the Tenants Services Authorities (TSA).

The new regulator has set a series of national standards that all social housing providers have to adhere to. Landlords also have a responsibility to develop a further set of standards, in partnership with their customers, around local issues.

Picture: Berneslai Homes Chair Suzy Brain England presents prize draw winner Naomi Jones with a voucher at the Customer Panel.

Berneslai Homes Director of Business and Customer Services, Dave Fullen highlighted the progress made on the local offers and sought agreement from service users. The local offers reflect a series of detailed workshops where customers were invited to tell Berneslai Homes what is important to them on a series of topics including value for money; homes and community; tenants involvement and empowerment; and issues around tenancies.

Customers approved the offers for the Barnsley Federation of Tenants and Residents proposed scrutiny panels. These panels work to ensure the services that customers receive are the services that they deserve.

Berneslai Homes tenant Elaine Marsh said: "Customer panels are a great way of finding out more about how Berneslai Homes works and about issues that effect me as a tenant. It's a great way of meeting new people, it's informal, easy going and nice to know that I can say hello to senior mangers and the Chief Executive.

"This is not always possible in some organisations. I know that as a panel member my thoughts are valued and more importantly listened to. I would recommend it to all my friends and neighbours."

Joan Whitaker, Chair of the Federation added: "The Federation believe that all customers are entitled to a first-class service from their landlords. We are fortunate that that we have an excellent working relationship with our landlord, Berneslai Homes, but we do know this is not the case elsewhere.

"Even though the future of the Tenants Services Authority is uncertain, it has highlighted the need for an independent scrutiny body and this is something that we at the Federation are passionate about. So I urge all tenants and residents in the borough that have a keen eye for detail to join us. You don't need any specialist skills or qualifications, you just need to care about how your housing service is provided. Recruitment is ongoing and we are hoping to go live in the autumn."

www.berneslaihomes.co.uk

Member News: Activities Showcase with Incommunities

Indoor bowls, EXTEND seating exercises and Wii sports games are just some of the activities being run for Bingley residents as part of an awareness campaign across the North region.

Residents from Incommunities' sheltered schemes in the town have been invited to the information and activities event at Maple Court, today from 2-4pm.

It is being organised by Incommunities housing group and Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services and will help celebrate Care and Support Awareness (CASA) month which is being coordinated by the National Housing Federation.

During July, over 100 events across the North are taking place to promote the role of housing support services in tackling social exclusion and encouraging people to enjoy independent and fulfilled lives.

The Bingley event will showcase some of the many healthy and stimulating activities older people can enjoy together. There will also be arts and craft demonstrations.

Information on voluntary services will be available such as local drop-in facilities, lunch clubs and free community transport. Refreshments will be served during the event.

Harry Whittle, Director of Incommunities - Estate and Support Services, said: "We are delighted to be working with Shipley & Bingley Voluntary Services to run this free event for some of our older customers.

"Activities such as Wii sport and seated exercises are just two of the ways older people can be active, have fun and socialise together.

"This Incommunities-supported event is part of a packed programme of regional events taking place as part of CASA month to highlight the range of invaluable housing support services which are delivered by housing providers for the benefit of different customers."

Derek Long, National Housing Federation Head of North, said: "In the current financial climate, it is vitally important that commissioners, MPs, stakeholders and Councillors are fully aware of the contribution that the housing sector is making in supporting and improving the lives of so many individuals in communities throughout the region.

"Events such as this aim to raise awareness of the many key housing support services run by housing associations in the North."

www.incommunities.co.uk

Member News: First Super-Green Social Homes for Leeds Create Local Training Opportunities

A new housing development is creating some of Leeds' greenest affordable homes along with construction apprenticeships and training placements for local people.

Lovell is building the Windrush Court development in Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7, for Unity Housing.

With funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the scheme will create 11 one- and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent through the housing association which are set to be completed in October 2010.

The properties will be the first affordable homes in the city to reach Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the system for measuring the environmental performance of new housing.

Unity Housing Association, Lovell and the HCA have also joined forces with Leeds regeneration charity re'new to deliver construction training opportunities at the development including apprenticeships and work placements. Lovell has taken on two apprentices from Leeds to train through the programme, a trainee joiner and a bricklayer.

Picture: Lovell apprentices Lee Wilson (on left) and Steve Woodger who have been taken on through the new development the company is building at Windrush Court, Chapeltown Road, Leeds.

Through Unity's Gateway Experience scheme, Lovell is also giving local unemployed people the chance to gain construction experience through work placements. So far, two people have started placements at the Windrush Court development with a third set to start in August.

Homes at Windrush Court will have photovoltaic roof panels which convert sunlight into electricity. Other green features include a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system which works by extracting indoor air and replacing it with 'fresh' outside air which is pre-warmed by the extracted air via a heat exchanger. Some apartments will also have a system for recycling rainwater - enabling it to be used for flushing toilets, for example - to reduce the usage of mains-supplied water.

Lovell regional director Noel Adams said: "Our company has a strong track record in creating energy-efficient, low-carbon housing and we are delighted to be working with Unity Housing and the HCA to deliver these new affordable sustainable homes.

"Creating training opportunities in the communities where we work is also extremely important for us and it is excellent that our team is giving local people the chance to acquire construction qualifications and experience through the Windrush Court scheme."

Wayne Noteman, Unity HA regeneration director, said: "As an organisation with its roots firmly established in the heart of Chapeltown, Unity will be working hard to ensure that investment is attracted into the area to facilitate regeneration activity.

"Unity in partnership with other partners and the council are developing a wider regeneration plan for the area. This will include physical, economic, and social projects all of which will bring greater benefits to the diverse communities in Chapeltown. Windrush Court which was named after the first ship to bring people to England from the Caribbean, is one of projects which will transform the Chapeltown Road gateway and add housing choice."

He added: "Employment and training opportunities are key to the overall success of the scheme in enabling local people to get back into work or get on to a recognised college course."

www.unityha.co.uk

Member News: 1000th New Home for Accent Nene

Peterborough-based housing association Accent Nene has been celebrating the completion of its 1000th new home since it became part of the Accent Group in January, 2005.

Of these homes, 650 have been within Peterborough and 140 within South Cambridgeshire, with the remainder divided between eight other local authority areas in East Anglia and the East Midlands.

Both Accent Nene staff and directors and senior board members of the Accent Group joined together at a special event at Hampton Vale in Peterborough to hand over their 1000th home and commemorate the occasion.

Edgar Bignall, Accent Group's Deputy Chair, said: "As one of the main social housing providers in Peterborough, we are proud to have been able to help the local community in such a positive way over the past five years. Most importantly, every house or apartment has provided a good quality home for local people."

Chloe Green and her two year old son Leo have recently moved to Accent Nene's 1000th home - a brand new two-bedroom end of terrace house in Hampton Vale, Peterborough.

Chloe is really pleased with the quality of her home, and adds: "The rooms are also a really good size - particularly the bedroom - and having a downstairs cloakroom is very useful with a young child! Accent Nene has been very helpful, and I am very happy to be living here."

Describing the types of housing that they provide, Tony Grainger, Operations Director for Accent Nene, said: "Our homes have ranged from bungalows and apartments through to four-bedroom houses. Some have been in exclusive rural villages where we have been able to help people stay within the area, whilst other have been in small market towns and many have been on the outskirts of cities. Over the years we have broadened our range of housing, becoming adept at selling and managing shared ownership and providing intermediate rent homes."

www.accentgroup.org

Well trained staff could be vital in securing contracts

With the end of the Decent Homes Standard, specific funding cuts which will choke social sector growth and the hike in VAT - builders working in the social housing sector are looking at ways to develop their competitive advantage.

Chloe Weatherhead, Manager of the Housing e-Academy which has hundreds of social housing sector clients said housing associations are looking to work a lot smarter with value for money even more of a driving force.

“Contractors looking to secure or renew work in the sector will have to examine every element of their offering to ensure they improve their competitive edge making working with them more compelling than working with anyone else.  Price will of course remain key - but contractors should also be looking at added value.”
Customer care, equality and diversity, confidentiality and conflict resolution are all key issues for people working in the homes of social residents. Having operatives trained in issues like these could well be the competitive advantage that secures a contract.

“E-learning is ideal for people working in the building trade,” said Chloe.  “It allows the learner to dip in and out to work around other commitments. It also allows them to work in a way that suits their learning style and pace  – without feeling any pressure for their peers.

“From a business perspective it can also be the most cost effective way of training staff and as the purse strings get pulled ever tighter – it is becoming the training method of choice for many organisations.”
The abilities of front line staff say a lot about a business.  Get this wrong and your reputation could be ruined very quickly.

“Everyone has heard one nightmare story about an operative who caused a major headache or PR disaster for both the contractor and its client,” said Chloe.  “Having appropriately trained staff can make all the difference to your reputation and reputation is one of the factors that will help to secure a contract.

“E-learning makes staff training very affordable and having a well trained staff could be your competitive advantage.”

For more information about e-learning call 01943 885085 or e-mail info@housingea.co.uk

The Digital Switchover and the Housing Sector

The Digital Switchover and the Housing Sector will address the key issues of what the imminent nationwide digital television switchover will mean for people working in Social Housing.

We are delighted to say that we have a guest speaker for this Webinar.

Frances Kneller - Head of Housing and Property for Digital UK has kindly lent her expertise for the webinar presentation.

As usual the webinar is free of charge to members (for the first two webinars p.a)

All other places will be charged at £20 per person + VAT. Members who have exceeded their two free places will recieve a 10% discount on any further webinars.

Member News: Karen joins St Leger Homes

St Leger Homes of Doncaster has appointed Karen Nolan as its new assistant director of corporate services.

Karen (pictured), who has moved to Barnsley from Wigan, previously was head of HR and health and safety for Wigan and Leigh Housing.

Karen said: “I’ve spent all of my career working in housing management and hope that my experience will now go on to benefit tenants and staff in Doncaster. I went to Leeds University so it feels like I’m coming back ‘home’ to Yorkshire.   I love this area of the country.”

St Leger Homes is the organisation that manages around 21,000 homes for Doncaster Council.