Ardenglen News SPRING 2014

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 PROPERTY FACTOR REGISTRATION NO. PF000168

See you at our Spring Fun Day on 11th April – find details on P3!

OFFICE INFO

International Women’s Day – A Volunteers Special

This year our Social Committee decided to celebrate International Women’s Day in “Red Carpet” style! They held an evening of music and dance

on Saturday 8th March designed to showcase our local talent and acknowledge the achievements of the fantastic ladies (and some gents too!) who keep our community thriving.

Funded by the South East Integration Network, guests enjoyed some light refreshments and first class entertainment provided by BLAZE Dancers

and Mamie’s Weans.

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded in recognition of the special contribution that our community’s volunteers make towards the life of Castlemilk. A range of hall service users, other community groups and partner organisations were recognised for their achievements and commitment.

Ardenglen took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work of all our volunteers and the night kicked off with Certificates for our current Management Committee members who, between them, have notched up an incredible 169 years of dedicated service to the Association.

Ardenglen’s regeneration staff were given “special permission” from the Social Committee to take over the kitchen whilst they enjoyed a well deserved night off to sit back and enjoy the celebrations (staff note for next year – avoid the heels!).

A great night was had by all and, once again, the evening’s events proved that Castlemilk not only has a host of talent but a host of generous and hard working individuals who together “make Castlemilk!”

A big “Thank You” to the South East Integration Network for its generous support and “Well Done” from Ardenglen to all so deservedly recognised on the night!

MAMIES WEANS

MAMIES WEANS

REVIVEREVIVE

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

TEEN ZONE

TEEN ZONE

TEEN ZONE

SOCIAL

COMMITTEESOCIAL COMMITTEE

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

REVIVE

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REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS •

It’s been a busy few months since we last wrote in detail about the work of TEEN Zone but that’s not because they haven’t been up to much! On the contrary, things have been quite hectic and certainly very varied since our last update.

Firstly, we are delighted to announce that the Committee is now 13 members strong. We would like to thank these fantastic young people for their commitment to TEEN Zone and for their all round support to Ardenglen.

You might remember from last Summer that TEEN Zone Media Productions had secured a couple of film commissions from the Glasgow & West of Scotland Forum to film its Welfare Reform campaign work. They have since accepted commissions from other clients and particularly enjoyed filming the Jeely’s “Play InThe Dark” event back in November.

Ardenglen’s ability to communicate effectively with our tenants and partners has continued apace with the production of several more “Ardenglen TV” episodes, also produced by TEEN Zone Media Productions. These episodes have covered everything from the Evening Times Community Achievement Awards to the “Bin the Bedroom Tax” Rally. There’s certainly never a dull moment!

The achievements of TEEN Zone, and particularly

what they are delivering on Ardenglen’s behalf, has caught the imagination of the wider housing movement and their work has been showcased at several national conferences. Audience reaction has been fantastic and TEEN Zone has certainly delivered on one of its aims to dispel negative perceptions about young people.

Fiona, Ardenglen’s Regeneration Officer, is blown away by TEEN Zone’s strategic thinking as well as its sense of fun and adventure! “The TEEN Zone Committee certainly keeps me on my toes! Its members are always planning ahead and looking for ways to shake things up that best engage with the young people of our community.” Indeed they have been fundraising to book a Team Building Away Day during which they will review and update their plans for the future so look out for details of this in our next newsletter.

In the meantime, TEEN Zone is currently investigating Mountain Biking as part of their Sports Diversionary Programme and have devised the “Little Sparks” Dance Group (which is in response to requests from parents and carers of BLAZE Dance participants seeking something for the younger age group). The “Little Sparks” project won’t only nurture our younger talent but will develop BLAZE participants’ “Girls OnThe Move” Sports Leadership qualifications. A win-win

for everyone involved!

If you would like more details about “Little Sparks” or information about any of TEEN Zone’s activities, please contact Fiona or Jackie at the office on 634-8016.

Ardenglen and TEEN Zone would like to record our appreciation for the financial support received from the Linn Area Community Planning Partnership’s Youth Provision Fund.

Spring into Spring!! Friday 11th April (11am – 2pm)Join us at the Maureen Cope Community Hall to celebrate the start of Spring. How much treasure can you find on our Easter Egg hunt and enjoy all the entertainment and goodies our first tenants’ event of the new year has to offer.

Castlemilk Family Day to take place on Saturday 31st May (11am – 3pm)

Come along to the Community Centre and be part of Castlemilk’s “big day out!” All the usual (and maybe some unusual) attractions will be there to guarantee fun, thrills and smiles all round.

Once again, you’ll find the hardy bunch from Ardenglen outside in the car park area with giveaways and fun activities including the chance to win a mountain bike on our interactive bike race. And, following on from the success of our first two residencies, budding artists from Castlemilk High and St Margaret Mary’s High schools will be unveiling their latest work of art from our third collaborative Arts Residency. Don’t miss it!

Under 11s Summer Trip – Heads of Ayr on 25th July

Back by popular demand, our Social Committee are delighted to announce another visit to the highly popular Heads of

Ayr Farm Park.

You know the kids absolutely love this one, so what are you waiting for? Contact the office for more details before tickets run out!

TEEN Zone have earmarked the 1st of August for the over 12s Youth Trip

The Committee are still finalising plans but after the thrills and spills of Edinburgh Dungeons last year, it’s sure to be a good one!

Due to demand, places are restricted to TEEN Zone members and fundraising supporters. Look out for further details on the Association’s website and Facebook page.

This year’s Young at Heart Bus Run to Largs will take place on the 29th August

The day will follow our tried and tested formula with plenty of time to catch the shops, the seafront and enjoy a nice fish tea

together. Call in to the office to guarantee a place on this popular day out.

It’s All Go With TEEN Zone!

Don’t delay getting your tickets for these forthcoming events as places go fast. Should you need any more information, please contact the office on 634-8016 and ask to speak to Jackie or Fiona.

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR!

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REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS •

Two of our very own Social Committee “Super Heroes” joined in the fun of the Jeely Piece Club’s “Wear a Onesie Day” in order to raise funds for their annual summer trip.

Ardenglen’s Social Committee work in partnership with the Jeely Nursery to deliver

a busy and popular Parent & Toddlers “Pre 5 Drop In”. The session is held every Thursday from 1pm – 3pm in the Maureen Cope Community Hall.

Well done to you both for supporting your partners! Perhaps this new “look” could replace the polo shirts our Social Committee usually wear when on duty....

Headlines include:

• A total of 17 learners are currently registered on the programme.

• 2 current learners attend general computer skills classes.

• 5 current learners attend computer classes which focus on the requirements of Welfare Reform like Universal Job Match, Job Search, CV preparation and on-line form filling.

• 6 current learners took part in a six week “Good Grub” course which focussed on healthy cooking and practical cooking skills.

• 10 current learners have undertaken their certification in REHIS (Food Hygiene).

• 6 current learners and volunteers are developing our community garden; again a 6 week course will see them plan and develop their ideas and sow their own fruit &

vegetables.

• Highly effective partnership working with Jobs Business Glasgow, Clyde College, NHS, Urban Roots and Miller Primary ECO Committee.

Ardenglen has met with staff from Castlemilk Job Centre and Skills Development Scotland in order to raise their awareness of the programme which can be tailored to the individual needs of participants; this personalised up-skilling process has proved to be highly attractive to participants and certainly seems to be contributing to the programme’s popularity.

This means the Programme can be tailored to learners’ specific needs and participants can pick and choose which sessions they see as being particularly useful for them. Already a couple of participants have moved on to employment and have credited the programme for raising not just their skills but their confidence. So what are you waiting for? Please contact Fiona

on 631 5041 or a member of the Housing Services team on 634 8016 who will be happy to help!

Special thanks go to CSV Action Earth for a grant towards the cost of fruit trees for the “Grow Your Own” element of the programme. Pictured here are our volunteers just after planting the trees on a cold December afternoon.

THE ONLY WAY IS UPIn our winter issue we introduced a new project designed to assist local people with the impacts of Welfare Reform called “The Only Way is Up”. Ardenglen is delivering this project in partnership with Jobs Business Glasgow & Clyde College. Funding was initially secured to run a pilot of the project until March 14 but early outcomes have been so positive that discussions are currently taking place with partners to secure longer term funding until March 15 and hopefully beyond!

for Ardenglen’s Social Committee Heroes!

“No Job is too Small”

Vegging OutFrom next week you’ll be able to pick up a bag of fresh veg at a bargain price when you visit the Maureen Cope Community Hall. All the veggies are organic and grown in Scotland, so they are fresher and tastier than what you’ll get in the supermarket. And, because we’re joining up with other community groups to buy in bulk, they are cheaper too!

Because all the produce is locally grown, you’ll see changes through the year – at the moment, we’ll have winter veg like potatoes, onions, carrots, turnip, leeks and cabbage – everything you need for a pot of soup. In summer you can expect salads, delicious Clyde Valley tomatoes, and courgettes.

The scheme will be run by volunteers taking part in the Hall’s Gardening Group which meets on a Friday morning from 10am to 12 noon – come along and learn how to grow your own food this summer.

Vegetables supplied with the assistance of Locavore and the Glasgow Local Food Network.

REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS • REGENERATION NEWS •

Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre The Regeneration team continues to work hard on the proposals to turn the former St. Martin’s Church into the “Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre.”

As you all know, the Commonwealth Games are now less than 100 days away and whilst preparations are well underway for this fantastic festival of sport, attention will be turning ever more towards the “Legacy” of the Games.

Ardenglen is still actively representing the Mitchellhill Community Group and working on its behalf with a range of partners from Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, Glasgow Life and Glasgow Housing Association to realise the Community’s ambition for some sort of Visitors’/Activity Centre attached to the Mountain Bike track.

We have secured a variety of funding support but remain short of the total needed; however, we are currently preparing an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund who have visited the site

and encouraged us to work up proposals. Look out for more details in future newsletters!

Wind Turbine Together with our partner, the Castlemilk and Carmunnock Windpark Trust, Ardenglen has submitted a Planning Application to South Lanarkshire Council to erect a small wind turbine on farmland there.

We are currently working with our design team in an effort to satisfy the conditions of the Planning Department and hope to know if the application has been successful by the next newsletter. We remain confident that this could be a tremendous source of financial support for our Regeneration programmes and, unlike the unpopular large commercial turbines which are mostly in private hands, the income from ours would be diverted straight back into community projects. Watch this space!

Social Return On Investment The Association has invested in staff training to empower its Regeneration

staff to be able to evaluate the impact of their work through an evaluation method called “Social Return on Investment” (or SROI).

SROI basically measures “change” in ways that are relevant to the people involved in that change. Although participants in Ardenglen’s regeneration programmes tell us all the time how beneficial their involvement has been to them personally, there has never been a way to quantify this in the past.

SROI measures social, environmental and economic changes and uses equivalent monetary values to represent them. This should allow us to determine a monetary worth as well as the social worth of our regeneration programmes. We are currently in the process of evaluating a project which we are certain will show that its cost has been “money well spent!” Look out for details in our next newsletter.

If you want to discuss any of these projects further, please don’t hesitate to call our Regeneration Manager, Lesley Macphee, on 631 5042 for more details.

OTHER REGENERATION NEWS IN BRIEF...

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Some of our REVIVE members taking part

in an SROI Focus Group session

GOVERNANCE NEWS • HOUSING SERVICES NEWS....

Governance ReviewOur Voluntary Management Committee is elected annually at our AGM and has a number of responsibilities; together as a Group, they :

• Agree the future direction and purpose of the Association

• Represent the views of the whole community

• Agree policies and plans for such things as management and maintenance of the Ardenglen’s properties

• Employ staff and delegate management duties to them

• Agree the annual spending budget

• Look at how well Ardenglen performs in relation to all of the above.

The Committee have recently started a review of how they operate and will be looking at our meeting, reporting and training structures and how we can maximise tenant involvement in the work of the Committee. In particular we are looking at how the number and length of meetings can be reduced while still carrying out all our important business.

We currently have 2 vacancies on the Committee , so if you are interested in knowing more about our work, please contact the office on 634 8016 and a member of the Committee will be happy to call you back.

Just to let you know that the winners of the Christmas Raffle were Valerie Newlands (large hamper) and Isobel Pope (small hamper). We raised £112.00 which was donated to Glasgow City Mission (Emergency Christmas Appeal).

Ardenglen would like to thank our staff for their kind hamper donations.

Everyone affected by the bedroom tax were invited last year to appeal against the decision. We understand that these appeals are now being looked at and you may start to receive paperwork from the tribunal service requesting that you attend a hearing to discuss

your individual circumstances.

Please contact the office on 631 8016 to make an appointment with Paul Pearson, our Welfare Rights Officer, when you are in receipt of these papers in order that he can discuss this with you and inform you of the process that follows.

HAMPER WINNERS

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Please note that during the Easter weekend the following dates are bank holidays:• Friday 18th April 2014 • Sunday 20th April 2014• Saturday 19th April 2014 • Monday 21st April 2014 If you pay via direct debit and your payment falls on any of the above dates your payment will not be taken until Tuesday 22nd April 2014. Please ensure that you leave enough funds in your account to avoid bank charges.

Easter Weekend Direct Debit Dates

Bedroom Tax Appeal Hearings

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Glasgow City Council has extended all discretionary awards until the 7th April 2014. They have applied for additional funding for the coming financial year and are awaiting definite information relating to the amount of funding Glasgow City Council will receive for 2014 / 2015.

Meantime, anyone who falls under the categories below will have their discretionary award extended until Monday 6th April 2015.

• Kinship Carers• Foster Carers• Disabled adaptations properties• Lone Parent with joint custody• Disability• Disabled child

The remaining awards that do not fall into the above categories will be extended until Monday 30th June 2014. You will be required to re-apply again after this date. All extended

payments will be confirmed in writing via Glasgow City Council in the coming weeks.

There will be a proportion of awards that will NOT get extended from 7th April 2014. If you are one of those people you will receive a letter along with a new application form to complete. Please call into the office as soon as possible with this form and we will assist you to re-apply.

If you are in receipt of partial housing benefit or you are affected by bedroom tax and you have not yet applied for discretionary housing payment please contact us. Alternatively, you can contact Glasgow City Council directly on 0141 287 5050 to apply.

If you have any queries relating to discretionary payments please contact Suzanne Casey / Mary McDevitt or Paul Pearson at Ardenglen office.

Rent Increase/ Housing Benefit Just to remind you that the rent increase for this year is 3.4% from 1st April 2014. By now you will have received your letter advising how much your new monthly rent charge is. If you pay by direct debit no further action is required by you as we will increase the amount on your behalf.

If you are unsure about how much you have to pay from April please contact a member of the housing services team.

Glasgow City Council are sending out their annual bills for council tax & housing benefit entitlement week beginning 10th March 2014. This will detail your new housing benefit award, again if you are not sure how this affects your rent charge please contact us to discuss.

Ardenglen has taken part in a joint working initiative with Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and other social housing landlords to jointly tackle gang related violence and anti social behaviour affecting Castlemilk and Fernhill residents.

We have carried out interviews involving Police Scotland and the tenants’ whose household members have been named in such activity

and we have issued tenancy warnings where appropriate.

Glasgow City Council has also provided a temporary CCTV camera at the Castlemilk/Fernhill boundary on Fernhill Road leading to Tormusk Road to hopefully deter any further anti social behaviour.

If you witness any further incidents within the area or have information that you think may help us tackle this issue further please do not hesitate to contact Angela Mooney, Housing Officer on 0141 631 5053.

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

Discretionary Housing Payment Renewals

TACKLING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

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

If you feel that your close is a bit grubby, even after it has had its weekly clean and might need more attention, please contact us.

Sadly, sometimes the wet weather in Scotland can make things look dirtier

rather than cleaner!

If you notice any other Ardenglen property such as walls or bin sheds looking a bit worse for wear, or paths that are very slippy to walk on we want to hear from you too.

SPRING CLEANOur close cleaners have been carrying out some test power washing in selected closes.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

BEFORE

AFTERAFTER

BEFORE

The big tree in the back court next to my veranda blocks all of the light coming into my house and makes it very dark when going out to the bins....

We arranged for the tree to be cut down and removed in full, and received thanks from our tenant advising it makes a big difference both in her home and in the back court area.

The back courts have no plants left in them and look really dull. Can you do something with them?

You said...

We did...We focussed our estate replanting and improvement budget for 2013-14 on improving back courts from 3 – 11 Scarrel Road creating a nicer environment for tenants to enjoy.

Now we just need some sunshine!

You said...

We did...

Remember that our office will be closed for the Spring Break on Friday 18th and Monday 21st April!

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

New Housing Officer in post Angela Mooney, who has been an Ardenglen employee for 14 years, was successful in gaining a promoted post as our new Housing Officer dealing with anti social behaviour, tenancy support and tenancy changes. Angela can be contacted on 0141 631 5053.

New Housing Assistant AppointedThe Association recently recruited Lisa Lindsay who brings 8 year’s housing association experience to join our housing services team. Her remit will be working with rent accounts and our waiting list and Lisa will be in post from 7th April 2014.

New Housing Services Administrator AppointedKerri Downie, who has been an Ardenglen employee for 4 years, was also successful in gaining a promoted post as our new housing services administrator. Kerri will join a very busy team and will be responsible for day to day administration with the housing waiting list and new tenants as well as providing admin support to the rest of the team.

Leica Malkin, Housing Assistant is leaving ArdenglenLeica has worked with Ardenglen for 4 years and her current role has been assisting to manage the condition of our estate and estate services, the housing waiting list and working with our new tenants. Leica has been successful in gaining employment with the Housing Aid Centre in Ayr as a tenant information and advice officer. Leica is really looking forward to her new role in which we are sure she will excel due to her excellent customer service focus. We wish her lots of success and happiness in her new job.

The “My Glasgow” Mobile App:See Something – Say Something!If you have a Smartphone and haven’t already downloaded the ‘My Glasgow’ App then we would highly recommend it! If you notice potholes or damaged roads, broken streetlights, graffiti, fly tipping or anything linked to Glasgow City Council that you would like to report - it can be done quickly and easily using the app. It will even pinpoint your location and allow you to take a photo to accompany your request.

Leica, our Housing Assistant, has used this app regularly in reporting some of the issues above when out and about on the estate and has found it invaluable and very easy to use. Just follow the directions on screen! And it’s not all about reporting issues or complaints, you can also use it to look at news, events and jobs in Glasgow.

Why not give it a whirl!

STAFF CHANGES