OFFICE INFO

Ardenglen News Autumn 2012

355 tormusk road, castlemilk, GlasGoW G45 0HF tel: 0141 634 8016 FaX: 0141 634 9016 e-mail: info@ardenglen.org.uk a recoGNised cHaritY No. sc032542

September 1st 2012 is likely to be remembered for some time to come by our new Customer Services Assistant, Nicole Babes. We say “new” but many of you will already know Nicole as, together with Heather and Kerri, she has been a key member of our Customer Services team for some time.

When the opportunity arose a few years ago to employ a new member of staff, the Association didn’t just place an ad in the job centre! We wanted to ensure we got the best possible “community benefit” from the post and so we developed an opportunity for a Modern Apprenticeship with the guarantee of permanent employment at the end of the training period. We were delighted to secure the support of both Castlemilk and St. Margaret Mary’s High Schools who both promoted the opportunity amongst their 5th & 6th Year school leavers. Fiona McGovern, our Regeneration Officer, explains the process in more detail:

“After the exams were over, it became my responsibility to promote this opportunity. Both local High Schools were delighted to assist. We shortlisted the applications, arranged interviews and finally selected Nicole from what was a very competitive group of candidates.”

Since joining the Association in September 2010, Nicole has undergone an intensive training programme and, together with her colleague Kerri, has achieved an SVQ in Administration and Housing. Nicole herself believes that without the Association’s direct promotion of the opportunity whilst she was at school, it is unlikely she would have considered a career in housing at all.

“Fiona came into school and explained what the Association was hoping to do. Her enthusiasm was catching and I knew it was a great opportunity. I was really pleased when my interview was successful and I was offered the apprenticeship.”

Nicole’s training programme has given her a flavour of the variety of work involved in working for a Registered Social Landlord. For now however, she is delighted to be working in Customer Services because she believes it is the perfect platform from which to further develop her career.

“I especially enjoy supporting my colleagues in housing services with various tasks like being out and about in the area and processing housing applications. All of these new tasks build on my knowledge and learning and should help point me in the right direction of becoming a housing officer, which is one of my goals!”

The Association’s Management Committee has encouraged the Regeneration team to work with all our local schools as, afterall, their pupils are our future tenants. We have enjoyed a particularly close working relationship with Castlemilk High School over the years and Diane O’Neil, Headteacher, had this to say on learning of Nicole’s success:

“We are delighted at Castlemilk High School to watch Nicole’s progress at Ardenglen Housing Association since leaving school in 2010. She represents all that we strive for to help our young people become confident and successful. Nicole is an excellent role model for our pupils and we wish her continued success.”

Ardenglen is proud of the fact that most of our staff have been with the Association for a very long time and Nicole says she felt “at home” almost right away! Everyone at Ardenglen, both Committee and staff, warmly welcomes our “new” colleague formally to the team and wishes her well as she continues with her career. Well done Nicole!

WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

Nicole pictured between Fiona McGovern, her original mentor, and Mark Dunsmore, Nicole’s new line

Manager.

Nicole with her Customer Services colleagues, Kerri Downie and Heather Sokolov.

Ardenglen is improving its office soon to improve your customer experience!

•REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Wednesday 22nd August saw our membership gather at the Association’s office for our AGM, rounding off another very successful year. A great turnout of members received a report of last year’s highlights which included:

•Finishingtheyearwithahealthysurplusforfuture investment in our houses.

•ConfirmationthatallourhousesnowmeettheScottish Government’s new “Housing Quality Standard” – 3 years ahead of deadline!

•Continuedsupportforourcommunityandregeneration projects.

•Ongoinginvestmentwithover£1mspentonfitting new kitchens, bathrooms and painting works throughout the year.

A passionate speech by the Association’s Chairperson, Maureen Cope, warned of the difficulties that the Government’s plans for Welfare Reform would bring to our community and she explained how the Association was

already preparing for this. Maureen also highlighted that recent proposals introduced by the Scottish Government will give the Association more powers to deal with the anti social behaviour of a small minority of residents. She finished by saying:

“I am proud to live in Castlemilk and in particular with Ardenglen. We have some tough times ahead, but these should be looked at as opportunities, not just threats. I know that working together we will rise to the challenge and continue to make this an organisation to be proud of”.

Members then elected the Management Committee for the next year:

•MaureenCope • IsaBrier•CarolMitchell • SheenaCadden•DonCope • AnnMarieDocherty•SharonMcElwaine • BobbyMitchell• LizMcKenzie • MaureenCoyle• IsobelPope • SandieStone• FrankYoung • AngelaMcHugh• JacquelineBrown

This means that the Association has the support of the maximum possible number of 15 Committee Members, which is a fantastic position to be in!

This concluded the formal business of the AGM and was followed by a short presentation about the Association’s plans for the former St. Martin’s Church, a welcome cuppa and then a game of prizebingo!Welldonetoourluckywinners:

•£25 SingleLine: AMcHugh•£50 DoubleLine: SStone•£100 FullHouse: MClark

Many thanks to everyone who came along. Your support is really appreciated!

AGM Report 2012

As usual, we are delighted to report just how busy our Social Committee has been throughout the summer, delivering no less than an impressive FIVE very successful events.

First up, was their participation at the annual Castlemilk Family Day event on the 12th May. Once again, rolling out the ever popular “Side Show Games,” our stall proved a huge hit with the local community. Many visitors reminisced over the simple pleasures of activities from their past and the general view was that they sure beat a games console!

ThenonFriday20thJuly,ouryoungpeopleaged 10 and over headed off to “M&Ds Theme Park” for a fun filled day. The Social Committee would like to thank our Youth Committee “TEEN ZONE” for working in partnership with them to deliver such a successful day out!

The following week, onFriday27thJuly,another coach of local youngsters aged 9 and under enjoyed a fabulous day away at the “Heads of Ayr Theme Park”. With something on offer for everyone, an exhausted

but happy journey was made back home to Castlemilk after another fun-filled day.

Friday 24th August saw our “Younger at Heart” (over 40s) residents depart Castlemilk’s “Hole in the Wall” to travel to another “Hole i’the Wa” in Dumfries! After an ever popular spot of retail therapy and a wander around the delights of the town, we all got together again to enjoy a three course meal, a wee dram and, of course, a game of bingo. What the Social Committee didn’t know was that they were to get the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy Ardenglen’s very own X Factor – all thanks to those in the party who provided us with some fantastic singing and dancing! Much enjoyed by all!

Finally our Social Committee also opened up the Maureen Cope Community Hall throughout the summer holidays to assist with the delivery of arts and crafts sessions to keep our younger residents busy with our “Fun Fridays” Programme.

As usual, sample feedback was gathered from participants on the bus trips. Here is just a wee flavour of the general appreciation expressed by many of those who took part:

• “WhatagoodjobtheSocialCommitteeis doing, not only with the hall, but in providing us with fantastic days out!”

• “Ihavehadabrilliantdayout.Iamso pleased I came along today and I can’t thank the Social Committee and Ardenglen enough.”

• “Keepupthegoodworkwithfundraising.”

The Association would like to echo these sentiments – many thanks to the Social Committee for another successful summer!

ANOTHER SUNNY SUMMER – DESPITE THE WEATHER!

• REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Ardenglen Housing Association held their Strawberry Tea event on Friday 3rd August 2012 and helped to make Breast Cancer Care’s Strawberry Tea promotion one of the biggest fundraisers of the summer!

A big thank you is given to all tenants, staff, Social and Management Committee members for supporting the occasion; a grand total of £200wasraised,whichincludedadonationfrom the Association.

Once again, the event couldn’t have taken place without the assistance of our hard working Social Committee. The Association wouldalsoliketoextendABIGTHANKYOUto the following local businesses for their kind donations:

•TheresaMcMonagleofTiersCakes

•BFPSuppliers

• Isobel&MickofCardStop

• ThomasTunnock&SonsLtd

OUR FANTASTIC STRAWBERRY TEA!

The new Scottish Housing Charter places great emphasis on landlords like Ardenglen keeping in touch with their local community. At Ardenglen, we have always placed importance on promoting tenant participation and our social events and activities programmes help us to engage with our customers in a positive and fun way! Unlike most other landlords, we have gone a step further and set up a process which directly places local people at the very heart of deciding what, when and how our social programmes deliver. We couldn’t achieve this without the support and hard work of our Social and TEEN Zone (Youth) Committees and we know how hard they work to arrange, fundraise and keep the programme fresh.

The Association also monitors everything that it does and its Regeneration Sub Committee has recently reviewed the events programme intermsofitsfrequency,varietyandthevaluefor money that it offers. Due to the increasing popularity (and therefore increasing cost) of the programme, it has been concluded that it cannot be sustained in its present form. We don’t, however, want to cut back on the number or the nature of the events and activities on offer as feedback overwhelmingly points to just how appreciated these opportunities are.

Our Management Committee has therefore considered a variety of options and has decided to apply a small charge for participation at future social events. You will see from the Autumn schedule on Page 4 that these contributions have been kept to an absolute minimum and have also been capped for family participation. The majority of the cost of an event will continue to remain subsidised through the Association’s “Tenants’ Participation Budget” and through direct fundraising....

So this brings us to “The Joker Jackpot” - the all new local fundraiser which will pay out a weeklycashprizeandraisefundsforthedeliveryof activities and events organised by our Social Committee. This proposal is based on similar fundraisers that are being successfully delivered in other parts of the City and here’s how it will work:

•Theprincipleisbasedon50%oftheticketincomebeingmadeavailableforthe“JokerPot”withtheremaining50%beingplacedintoa“FundraisingPot.”

•Alockableglasscasewouldcontain52face-down playing cards plus a joker card. The case would be located in the Association’s reception area.

•Tomaketheexplanationeasy,let’sassumewesell100ticketsat£1each-whichwouldraise£100.Ofthe£50availableforwinnings(withtheother£50allocatedtothe“FundraisingPot”),awinningticketwouldbedrawnandthe winner asked to choose a card numbered between 1-53.

•Dependingonthecardchosen,thewinnerwould win:

- 30% of takings for a number card (or£15perourexample),with the remainder accumulating in theJokerPot.

- 70% of takings for a face card (or£35perourexample), with the remainder accumulating in theJokerPot.

- 100% of takings for a Joker plus whatever has been accumulating intheJokerPot!

• TheexcitingthingaboutthisproposalisthattheJokerPotcanincreasequitesubstantiallyiftheJokerisnotpickedforsometime.

•AssoonastheJokerispicked,theFundraiseris stopped and a new game (with new cards) begins all over again.

•ThefundraiserwillbemanagedbyArdenglenwith strict procedures in place for an “all fair and above board” administration process.

•Ticketswillbeavailableforpurchasefromthe Association’s office and from the Maureen CopeCommunityHallatthepriceof£1perticket.

Following our Management Committee’s deliberations on the future funding of the tenants’ events and activities programme, our Chair, Maureen Cope explained the need for change,

“Very few associations offer the variety of activities and events that Ardenglen currently does. This move does not represent a cooling of our commitment towards our social events programme. We simply need to bridge the gap between

increasing demand and the increasing cost of what’s on offer. We are confident that the majority of participants will understand this position and will continue to support our efforts to bring our community together.”

LookoutfortheJokerJackpotlaunch over the next few weeks, then simply pop in to the Association’sofficeforaJokerticket safe in the knowledge

that you, a neighbour or a friendwillwinacashprizeeach week whilst directly raising income for our own community’s benefit!

INTRODUCING “THE JOKER” - DON’T MISS OUT!

It was great to see so many people come together to support a really worthwhile cause – and have an enjoyable time in the process! Well done to all involved!

• Saturday29thSeptember-AKaraokeFundraiser took place in the Maureen Cope Community Hall with all money raised going back in to the Social Committee’s FundraisingPot.Agreatcauseandagreatnight’s entertainment was had by all!

• Wednesday17thOctober – circle in your calendar to come along to our Autumn Fun Day at the Maureen Cope Community Hall from 11am – 2pm. Enjoy a cuppa and a bite to eat, magical entertainment and a weegameofbingo.Asmallchargeof£1foradultsand50pforchildrenwillapply(max£3per family) which will go towards our Social EventsFundraisingPot.Wealsohavestallsavailable at a small charge should anyone wish to take up the offer to have a table top sale; this could be your chance to fundraise for your own group, sell unwanted toys/books (good condition) or promote your own products (jewellery etc) – just contact Fiona at the office if you are interested.

• Friday26thOctober - For the third year running the Social Committee is pleased to announce that they have organised another

Spooky Halloween Partyfrom6-8pm for our younger residents aged 12 and under at the Maureen Cope Community Hall.

Therewillbelightrefreshments,prizesforthe“BestCostume”(PrizeskindlysponsoredbyAdams & Duncan Funeral Directors), piñatas, spooky entertainment, goody bags and much, much more! (please note that a small charge of£1perchild,£3maxperfamilyapplies).

• Saturday 24th November from 2pm to 6pm - Our Social Committee has once again reserved a stall at the forthcoming Christmas FestivaltohostaChristmasTombola.Popby and support our stall with all proceeds goingbackintotheFundraisingPotforfutureevents!

• Tuesday 4th December from 12 noon to 4pm - Not forgetting our ever popular “Younger at Heart” Christmas Party which will again this year be held in the Maureen Cope Community Hall. Christmas lunch, music, dance and bingo are just a flavour of what’s on offer and if you’re good – very good - a visit from Santa has also been planned....! So don’t forget to buy your ticket priced just £2foragreatdayout!

• Wednesday5th&Thursday6thDecember - Why fight with the crowds and pay a fortune?! Come along to see our “Sing a Song of Sixpence” Panto at the Maureen Cope Community Hall from 7pm onwards. Following the success of last year’s Pantomime,performedbytheRutherglen

Reparatory Theatre, the Social Committee is delighted to

announce that we are once again running our very own panto

for this year. Tickets are available for purchase at

thesubsidisedrateof£2perperson(£5maxperfamily).

• Friday14thDecemberbetween6pmto8pm–Under12sChristmasParty Come along to enjoy the usual treats, entertainment andsurprises(£1perchild,£3maxperfamily).IncludesavisitfromtheBigManhimself so you had all better behave from now until then!

• Fridaythe28thDecember-Inconjunction with Teen Zone Youth

Committee, we have arranged a trip to the “Irn Bru Carnival.” Attractions include Top Star,theWaltzers,SuperBob,theDodgemsand, for the ultimate thrill seekers, why not haveagoontheMatterhorn,SpeedBuzz,ExtremeandthenewHighRoller.Itpromisesto be a blast so don’t miss out (a small charge will apply but will be subsidised through TEEN Zone’s many fundraising activities, contact Fiona for more details).

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing society. Rising fuel prices mean that fuel poverty affects many people and experts believe that this will only get worse as the world runs out of gas and oil.

So what does all this have to do with Ardenglen?

Well, first and foremost, fuel poverty affects many people living in our community - so it is an important local problem. Residents have also said that they want us to get involved in “non-housing” activities where this can improve theirqualityoflife.Widespreadsupportforour regeneration role increases even more when we can bring grants or other sources of funding to the table. Lesley Macphee, our Regeneration Manager, explains further:

“Ardenglen makes a firm commitment to our tenants that their rents will never increase to fund our non-housing activities. Grants will always be welcome but they can’t be relied upon in the longer term and so we have to find ways of funding that are sustainable. That’s

where we hope that owning a wind turbine will come in!”

For over a year now, the Association has been working in partnership with the Castlemilk and Carmunnock Windpark Trust to investigate the potential for joint-ownership of a wind turbine. The Trust’s expertise and experience has guided us through the process. Together, we secured support from the Scottish Government to carry out a Feasibility Study which is progressing very well and we are currently finalisingtheprojectBusinessPlantomakesure the finances stack up.

Ifallgoeswell,theprojectwouldhaveenvironmental, social and economic benefitsforourcommunity.Itwouldpromotesustainable energy, tackle climate change and support our wider community work by bringing a long term source of income into our area.

Whilst it’s true that the wind renewable sector hasn’t always enjoyed a good press, this is often because it has involved private companies (motivated by profit) who have imposed large scale projects in local areas with little or no public consultation. Our

proposal couldn’t be more removed from this unpopular model - part-ownership of a single turbine, identified for its non-sensitive location and likely to generate a sufficient financial surplus to be reinvested directly into our local community. What’s not to like?!

Our Management Committee believes that part-ownership of a wind turbine could be a true “community asset.” We hope to know before Christmas whether the project will go ahead and will, of course, provide further updates in future newsletters. However, should youhaveanyqueriesinthemeantime,pleasedon’t hesitate to call Lesley Macphee on 631-5042 for further information.

WINDY WEATHER BONUS!

AUTUMN & WINTER SOCIAL EVENTS

So what are you waiting for – phone or pop in to the office today to reserve your place. Remember that these events will be allocated on a first come, first served basis - so please don’t leave it too late and be disappointed.

•REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

Kenny Stocks, the Association’s Director, explains further: “Lesley and Fiona were already working closely together but it made sense to bring the Association’s existing resources together, to provide a more strategic focus and so maximise the impact of our investments. As well as having whole office management duties, Jackie brings much needed support to this busy section.”

Having listened to the thoughts of local people, the Association has developed a framework which allows the Team to deliver a range of projects that meet prioritised themes. This is achieved through delivery of our Regeneration Action Plan which is monitored during our Regeneration Sub Committee meetings.

As well as monitoring the progress of individual projects, overall performance is also kept under review. From an analysis of 22 key activities across 2011/12, our Committee was satisfied

that our regeneration programmes have provided a “positive” return on our investment throughout last year:

• From£16,811 of AHA funding (via tenant participation and technical studies budgets etc),

• TheAssociationattractedafurther£131,616 of external funding which wouldn’t otherwise have come in to our area,

• Andsupported£1,850 worth of fundraising ventures by the Social Committee,

• Resultingwithaparticipationlevelofover 5,400 users of our regeneration services.

The Association uses our newsletters to try and give a flavour of the work being carried out by the Team but in 2011/12 it covered everything from launching a community hall to fighting for sporting facilities in our area, empowering

local people to engage in activities that interest them to maybe buying a wind turbine! 2012/13 got off to just as hectic and wide ranging a start. We have continued to support the further development of several projects from last year’sActionPlanbuthavealsoprogressednew programmes in response to feedback and opportunities as they have arisen.

ItisimportanttoArdenglenthatthedirectionofour regeneration work is determined by local people and this is done through a variety of consultation exercises. We welcome the views of all residents and will be carrying out more “face to face” consultation over the next few weeks to ensure that we remain focussed on delivering whatourcommunitywants.Pleasetakeafewmoments to speak with us if you are stopped or feel free to contact the office and speak to Fiona or Lesley at any time.

REGENERATION TEAM REVIEW 2011/12

Some of you may already know that the Association responded to community concerns about wider non-housing issues by establishing a new Regeneration Team from January 2012. Made up of Lesley Macphee (previously Development Manager), Fiona McGovern (previously Corporate Services Officer) and Jackie King (Corporate Services Assistant), lots of work had been progressing before this date but positive feedback from residents and the identification of other opportunities led to a review of the delivery of our non-housing services.

• REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS

•HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

At Ardenglen, we pride ourselves on providing maintenance services that help to ensure your home and environment are maintained to the highest possible standards. Part of this process involves carrying out cyclical painter work to our properties which includes the painting of common closes, exterior metal and woodwork and the fascia and soffit boards around the roofline of our properties.

The current phase of works started in Februaryandourcontractor,J.S.McCollLtd, has already made great progress with the completion of properties at 2-26 Hoddam Avenue, 204-240 Tormusk Road and 3-7 Scarrel Drive. Simply changing the interior colour has made a huge difference to the general appearance of our closes and we were happy to take tenants’ views on board with close colours reflecting the preferences of people living in the properties being painted.

The next phase of the painter work programme is due to start again on the 24th September 2012 on the following properties:

•16-54ArdencraigQuadrant

• 33-43ArdencraigDrive

• 327-352&357-385TormuskRoad

• 3-11ScarrelRoad

• 156-166DArdencraigRoad

Ifyouhaveanyqueriesrelatingtothepainter work to your property, please contact a member of the Housing Services Team at the Office. Here’s hoping we enjoy a reasonably dry Autumn to assist with the completion of the works!

CYCLICAL PAINTER WORK PROGRAMME

“Fantastic Guys – Fantastic Job”

“Looks alot better”

“Very happy

with it”

“GreatJob”

If you wish to discuss this matter, please call the Association’s office on 0141-634-8016andasktospeaktoahousingofficer.

We have written to all applicants on our Waiting Lists recently. You must contact us now if you want to stay on the housing list! If you do not contact us your housing application will be cancelled. We will need details of up-to-date home & mobile phone numbers so we can contact you easily. Contact us now by phone, email, text or come in person to the office.

email: wl@ardenglen.org.ukPhone(24hrvoicemail):0141-6315052text: 07781486250

DO YOUWANT TOSTAY ONTHE HOUSING LIST?YOU MUST CONTACT US NOW!

As you will have heard on the news, the Government are imposing changes to the benefits system in an attempt to reduce the amount of public money being spent on benefits.

Our last newsletter explained that from April 2013, tenants receiving housing benefit with spare bedrooms within their home can expect to have their benefit cut:

•by14%foronebedroom

• and25%fortwoormore.

This means that if your house is bigger than you need, you may be liable to pay a rental charge from April next year which housing benefit pays for at the moment.

At Ardenglen, we want to help you to understand whether you will be affected by this forthcoming charge and discuss the options available to you now – before your income is affected. This legislation does not apply to tenants of pensionable age.

WELFARE RIGHTS UPDATE - The Bedroom Tax

• HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS

We need your help! Help us to tackle vandalism where you live. Ardenglen spends too much of our tenants’ rent money each year on repairs resulting from vandalism such as graffiti, smashed windows and replacing bins.

Every£spentonthistypeofnegativeactivityisa£whichisnotavailableformakingevenmore improvements to our homes and our community. Vandalism isn’t harmless activity because it impacts on everyone. Pleasetakeafewsimplestepstostandupforour Community:

• IfyouseeanygraffitioutsideyoucanreportitdirectlytoCleanGlasgowfreeon0800-0277-027.

•Ardenglenhastopayforremovinginternalgraffiti so please report anything you see inside closes etc directly to Leica Malkin on 0141-631-5051.

• Ifyourecogniseanynamesongraffititagsplease let us know – we work closely with thePoliceandGlasgowCommunitySafetyServices and will press charges against people vandalising our property.

•Forhealthandsafetyreasons,aswellasyour own personal security, please report any damage you may notice to doors, windows etc as soon as possible so that we can arrange to have it repaired.

As you can see from the photos, working together does work!WewouldliketothankScottishPowerandBritishTelecomforsupportingtheAssociationby removing graffiti and repainting many of their cabinets over the last few months. This is the type of environment that we should all be able to enjoy all of the time. Don’t accept vandalism!

Do you have problems with noisy neighbours? There is no need to suffer in silence; why not call the Glasgow Community and Safety Services Noise Teamon0141-287-6688.Noiseofficersare available between the hours of

•9am-3amMondaytoFriday

• and5pm-3amonSaturdaysandSundays.

For each noise complaint made, a noise officer will call you back to discuss the complaint and offeradvice.Ifnoiseisanongoingnuisanceforyou, don’t despair - noise officers can measure noise levels to assess how to deal with the problem.

Ifnoiseisdeemedexcessive,awarningnoticemay be served and if the noise is not reduced afixedpenaltynoticeof£100couldbeissued.Copies of any warning notices are also sent to your landlord and Ardenglen will follow the complaint up with a tenancy warning.

Itisworthnotinghowever,thatthenoiseservicecovers the whole of Glasgow and can be understandablybusyatweekends.InthiscaseyoumaywishtocontactStrathclydePolice

by telephoning 0141-532-4900 if the noise is unbearable and is affecting your household.

Ifyouwouldlikeanyfurtherinformationonthisparticular service or indeed wish to discuss any

neighbour problem, please contact a member of the Housing Services Team.

You have the right to enjoy your home - please do not suffer in silence.

Noisy Neighbours? Contact the Noise Team!

Tacklng vandalism

Before... ...and after!

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE CLOSED ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH FROM 12 NOON

ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

WHEN REPORTING A REPAIR PLEASE ADVISE THE CONTRACTOR THAT YOU ARE AN

ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION TENANT

‘REPORT-A-REPAIR’ FREE PHONELINE

0300 303 8000

FOR ALL CENTRAL HEATING & HOT WATER EMERGENCIES YOUSHOULD CALL CITY TECHNICAL ON:

08445 796 493TO REPORT GAS EMERGENCIES

FOR ALL OTHER REPAIRS YOU SHOULD CALL CITY BUILDING ON:

0800 595 595(PRESS OPTION 2 FOR CITY BUILDING)TO REPORT ALL OTHER EMERGENCIES

Ardenglen is improving its office soon to improve your customer experience!

Have you ever thought about mutual exchange as a way to move home? Ardenglen has signed up to a mutual exchange matching website which should make the process easier than ever and, the good news is, it’s FREE of charge for all tenants.

Simply register at www.homeswapper.co.uk and once your entry has been approved by us, you will be able to access information about tenantswithinanyareainBritainwho,likeyou,wish to exchange properties. Homeswapper will also e mail you at regular intervals with details of suitable exchange partners or, if you don’t have access to the internet, will send you details of suitable exchange partners via your mobile phone every two weeks.

Don’t worry if you do not have access to the internet yourself as there are other ways for you to register and access the Homeswapper website:

• viaFamilyorfriends

• Locallibrarieshaveinternetaccessavailableto the public, as well as internet cafes

• Internetaccesstothesiteisalsoavailablefrom the Association’s office

Ifyouhaveanyqueriesabouthowtheschemeworks, please feel free to contact Lauren Docherty on 631-5047 or e mail lauren.docherty@ardenglen.org.uk

REGISTER FOR HOMESWAPPER SCHEME NOW!

CHRISTMAS TREE “SWITCH ON”SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2012 FROM 2PM – 6PM.Castlemilk Family Day Group is pleased to announce their 5th Annual Christmas Festival and official Christmas Tree “Switch On”. Our very own Councillor, and Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty will once again perform the official switch on at 5pm.

However, the fun kicks off long before this with the arrival of Santa to take up residence inhisGrottointheBraesShoppingCentre!There will be stalls, entertainment and much more on offer. As usual all money raised on the day will go towards making Castlemilk Family Day 2013 a free and inclusive day out for the whole community.

So mark this date up in your calendar and join in the fun to kick-start the festive season.

BORN TO WRITE - Community Playwriting Project

“Born to Write” is a new project developed and delivered by Playwrite Scotland as part of Creative Scotland’s - First in a Lifetime Initiative. The project aims to engage with adults from the local community through playwriting workshops.

Butdon’tworryifyouleftschoolagesago and haven “written” anything since. PlaywriteScotlandhopestoidentifynewtalent and new Scottish playwriting voices. You don’t need to write at all - simply tell them your stories and they will do the rest!

Interested?Whynotcalltheofficeformoreinformation.