Winter 2009 www.melinhomes.co.uk

Melinnews editi

on

4

WIN!

InsideMoney advice

Christmas

recycling tips

Community news

Home

improvements

and more!

A trolley full of groceries!

Welcome... to your latest copy of Melin News

Welcome to your Christmas and New Year edition of Melin News. I hope it will give you some useful information about what we have been doing since the last newsletter.

Firstly, some news hot off the press. Melin Homes recently won the Increasing Environmental Sustainability award at the Chartered Institute of Housing - Welsh Housing Awards 2009. The award recognises our innovative work with the Energy Saving Trust and our commitment to tackling climate change. Well done to everyone involved. To coincide with this we have included some excellent tips on how to reduce waste, recycle and have a greener Christmas.

In this edition you can also find out about our “jump” fund and education bursary. We have caught up with recipients of both awards to see how they have benefitted.

Also, in this edition, is some useful information on two very important areas; information about who can help if you are facing debt problems and information for older people on how to stay safe, healthy and warm during the winter months.

You may have noticed our new Melin bus out and about over the past few months. If not, we have included a programme of estate visits so that you can come and see the bus and also speak to members of the residents panel or Melin staff.

Lastly, may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Mark

Melin news

01

Contents03. UK housing award & Consultation Event

04. Jump Fund

05. Melin’s 3,000th home

06. Education bursary success

07. Don’t get bitten by loan sharks

08. Help to manage your finances

09. Competition & Melin gets digital

10. Melin bus and youth work

11. Dragons youth initiative & sky services

12. Cutting down on waste at Christmas

13. Residents’ Panel & Planned work

14. Direct Work Force

15. Keep well this winter

16. Keep well this winter

17. Future Jobs Fund

18. New Year - New Home

If you need the information in this newsletter in large print, Braille, on CD, or explained in your own language, please contact Paula on 01495 745907.

If you have any suggestions about how we can improve Melin News please let us know. You can write to us at the address on the back page, call 01495 745907 or email editor@melinhomes.co.uk

Christmas opening hours

Our office will close at 12 noon on 24 December and re-open at 9am on Monday 4 January. Should you need any emergency repairs during this time (only those that pose a risk to you, your family or your property) please call 01495 325333.

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Melin news

03

National award for energy plan

We recently invited residents of Brynmawr to view proposals for a new housing development at Factory Road in the town.

The event took place at the Zion Church, near Factory Road and was well attended by members of the local community.

The proposed £6 million project will see around 45 new homes built on the site with a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses and two bedroom bungalows and flats. The homes will be available to rent with some for sale under Melin’s low-cost homeownership scheme.

A planning application will be submitted early in 2010 and, if successful, work will begin in the Summer.

Peter Davies, Melin’s Director of Development was very pleased with the turn out at the consultation event and said “It is important to Melin that every development is carried out with the knowledge and support of the local community. Delivering high quality, affordable homes is only one part of what Melin does. Working with the local community, both before and after our homes are built is at the core of everything we do.”

Staff from Melin received their award from BBC presenter

Jason Mohammed.

We were delighted to win an award at the 2009 Chartered Institute of Housing’s Welsh Housing Awards last month for our work on green issues.

We are the first housing association in Wales to work in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust to review our energy and carbon management policies.

For the next two years we will receive one-to-one support from the Trust to help us reduce our impact as a business and improve our homes to make them more energy efficient thereby helping you to save money.

A number of Melin’s homes already have energy-saving features. These include solar hot water systems and rain-water harvesting. Work is also due to start next month to install energy efficient boilers and solar panels in a further 350 Melin homes.

Melin’s Chief Executive, Mark Gardner, was delighted to receive the award. He said: “In addition to providing homes for people, we are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate. By working with the Energy Saving Trust we are reducing our own impact on the environment as a business and helping to reduce fuel poverty for residents by providing advice and installing energy-saving features such as solar panels in our homes. Winning the award demonstrates the difference our approach is making to our residents and the communities where we have homes.”

We have produced a booklet with the Energy Saving Trust which is packed full of tips on how you can save energy and money. Your copy is enclosed.

Local people invited to view plans

A Torfaen youth drama group are the latest to benefit from a grant from Melin’s community ‘Jump’ fund.

Jackson’s drama group, who are based in Pontypool, used the grant to buy props, face masks and face paints for use in their regular productions.

Kate Jackson, who runs the group said “We were thrilled to be given a grant from Melin’s Jump fund. We have only been going for a year but we already have forty members. This grant will ensure that we have enough props and supplies to keep going.”

Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of Melin Homes presented

the group with the materials: He said “We have always been committed to supporting local groups and initiatives, and our Jump fund provides a structured and fair way for us to allocate funds to ensure we maximise benefits for our residents and communities. We wish Jackson’s Drama Group every success with their future productions and we are delighted that our contribution will help with these”.

Our Jump fund provides grants of up to £250 for groups and organisations that benefit our residents and the communities in which we operate. It can sponsor a wide range of projects including sport and youth clubs, environmental

improvement schemes and those for social gain. If you would like more information, please call us on 08453 101102.

Jackson’s Drama Group meet at

Garndiffaith Millennium Hall every

Monday at 7.30pm. Please call Kate on 07527 318212 for more information.

04

The group are thrilled with their new equipment

Help for drama group

Celebrating the completion of Melin’s 3,000th home - Mark Gardner,

Chief Executive of Melin, Doiran Jones ,Chair of Melin,

Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies AM,

and new residents Lorraine and Robert Richards

We had a double celebration recently when Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing, joined us to welcome residents to their new homes in Chepstow. The event also marked the completion of our 3,000th home.

The new homes are part of a development of 12 much needed affordable homes. Six of the homes were available for sale at up to 50% of the market value under Melin’s low-cost home ownership scheme. All six were sold within two weeks of being on sale highlighting the need for affordable homes in the County. The remaining six homes are rented.

First time buyers Jonathan and Kirsty and their two young children are delighted with their new home. Jonathan said: “Having our own home has made such a big difference to us. Without the low-cost scheme we would never have been able to afford a place of our own.”

Lorraine and Robert Richards and their two children recently moved into their rented home. Before this they were renting privately. Lorraine said: “The house is absolutely lovely, there is so much space compared to our last place and I am over the moon with the garden. Everything is finished to a really high standard and I am sure we are going to be very happy here.”

Melin now has 3,020 homes, an increase of 300 since we formed in 2007 and we plan to build a further 133 new homes over the next 12 months.

If you would like to find out more about our low-cost homeownership scheme please contact us on 01495 745925 or email homes@melinhomes.co.uk

Celebrating our 3,000th home

Melin news

05

06

receiving the bursary meant such a lot to me. I could not have done the course without it

Melin News went to catch up with Rebecca Meyrick-Evans from Monmouth who, last year, was awarded one of our education bursaries.

Rebecca received £1000 which helped to pay for a childcare course at the Royal Forest of Dean College. Not only did Rebecca pass her course with a Merit but she was also awarded student of the year by the college.

Rebecca said: “I’ve always wanted to work with children with special educational needs and receiving the bursary meant such a lot to me. In fact, I could not have done the course without it. I think it will be a really rewarding career and I hope to find a job soon.”

Rebecca’s course tutor, Gail explained why she had

been awarded student of the year. She said: “Rebecca consistently demonstrated determination and effort, building on her understanding and knowledge, whilst developing confidence in her role as a child care practitioner.

She contributed to the success of the group, supported others and remained motivated and enthusiastic throughout her course and should be very proud of her achievements”. Going to college has had a positive impact on Rebecca, her mum Shirley explained: “Rebecca has overcome a number of personal difficulties to get this far, including deafness and learning difficulties. However, she won’t let this deter her from achieving her dream of working with children.”

Melin’s Director of Communities and Enterprise, Kellie Beirne is proud of the opportunities that Melin’s education bursaries can give to individuals.She said: “I am thrilled to see the real-life benefits of our education bursary. It is just one of many initiatives we have in place aimed at making a positive difference to the lives of our residents.”

If you are over 18 and would like to be considered for an education bursary to pursue further education goals and improve your career prospects, please contact us on 08453 101102. The closing date for applications for next year is May 2010.

Arguments at home?

Rebecca is student of the year!

Are you a parent or teenager and having problems at home?

Would you like to try and sort things out? Llamau, a young person’s homelessness charity who specialise in working with young people age 14 - 21, offer a free and confidential Family Mediation Service that could help you find a solution to your problems.

For further information please contact Steve Cottam on 01633 244134 or 07966 555 814.

Melin’s Kellie Beirne met with Rebecca and her mum Shirley to

pass on our congratulations

Community Housing Cymru – the membership body for housing associations in Wales – has launched a hard hitting campaign to warn people not to ‘get bitten’ by loan sharks.

Over 15,000 households in Wales are believed to have borrowed money from loan sharks, and Community Housing Cymru is keen to raise awareness of the scale of the problem and to educate residents that borrowing even a small amount of money could mean paying back thousands of pounds in interest.

The campaign includes powerful television adverts and bus side posters, urging people to avoid borrowing from loan sharks and encouraging them to seek alternative ways to access credit. Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of CHC, commented: “Approximately 60-70% of social housing residents are financially excluded which means they can’t access bank accounts, money advice or affordable credit. Individuals with a poor credit reference will find it difficult to borrow money at reasonable rates and some are even refused credit from the less risk adverse lenders.”

He continued: “There have been a number of high profile court cases surrounding unlicensed loan sharks in the media recently, but while the media coverage and the condemnation of these unscrupulous lenders diminish, the circumstances that drive individuals to use these loan sharks remain.”

Don’t get bitten by

loan sharks

Visit chcymru.org.uk for more information

In Wales, thousands of people borrow from loan sharks each year.

Borrowing even a small amount of money for a fridge or

washing machine can mean paying back thousands in interest.

So don’t get bitten by loan sharks…

P15030_A5_leaflet.indd 1

30/10/09 12:53:44

Melin news

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Don’t get bitten by loan sharks

If you need a loan, Credit Unions can offer affordable loans, you can also save with them.

Gateway Credit Union covers Torfaen and MonmouthshireT: 01495 750 020

Brecon and District Credit Union LimitedT: 01874 620104

Smart Money Credit Union Ltd covers Caerphilly and Blaenau GwentT: 029 20 883 751

Newport Credit Union LimitedT: 01633 822224

For debt advice please contact one of the agencies opposite.

08

Residents of Melin Homes will soon be able to access a new computer package to help them with their financial budgeting.

Melin is the first housing association in the UK to offer such help to its residents and the first UK customer for the New Zealand based firm who developed the package.

The package, called “Who stole my money?” is a simple and practical budgeting tool that is designed to help people get on top of their finances. It works by downloading your bank statements, which can be done from either your home pc or via any secure pc, such as at your local library.

Whether you are an experienced budgeter or a new starter, the package is easy to use and can be learnt in minutes, giving you an exact knowledge of where your money goes.

The package will ask you to categorise your spending, which you will only have to do once, then easy to read graphs will quickly show you where all your money goes each week.

The package is currently being trialed by Melin staff and will be available to all residents, free of charge, early next year via our website.

If you are struggling with your finances after Christmas, there are several organisations that can help get you back on track and debt free.

Help for residents to manage their finances

National Debtline gives free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Visit www.nationaldebtline.co.uk or use the freephone number 0808 808 4000 Open Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm

Housing debt hotline – free, independent advice to people with mortgage or rent arrears. Tel 0800 107 1340 or visit www.housing-debt-helpline-wales.org

Shelter can check that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to call Mike Bailey on 08453 101102.

Consumer credit counselling service (CCCS) is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt. Call the freephone number 0800 138 1111 or visit www.cccs.co.uk

Your local citizen’s advice bureau can also offer advice about debt. • Cwmbran CAB - 01633 482464 • Pontypool CAB - 01495 757421 • Newport CAB - 01633 265688 • Blaenau CAB - 01495 292659 • Powys CAB - 0845 6018421

Melin news

09

In the last edition of Melin News, our competition asked readers to tell us about the events held on the new Melin bus.The winner of the competition was Mr Stanley, from Primrose Close, Monmouth, who correctly answered that the bus would be holding out-of-hours surgeries.

Housing Assistant, Kate Howells, went to visit Mr Stanley to deliver his prize which was a brand new hoover. He told us: “I am delighted with my prize and so surprised to have won. It could not have come at a better time as my daughter has just become a new Melin resident in Caldicot after moving from Ebbw Vale. I will be taking the hoover down to her to help her get settled in.”

Competition winner cleans up Helping you to get

connected

In this edition we’re offering you the chance to win a trolley full of groceries!

To enter, simply answer this question:

What is the name of the proposed new £6 million development in Blaenau Gwent?

You can find the answer somewhere in this newsletter!

Send your answer, name and address to Freepost, Melin Homes, RRJZ KYKH YLAE, NP4 0XJ or email editor@melinhomes.co.uk by 15 January 2010.

WIN! win a trolley full of groceries!

Melin residents will be the first in Wales to benefit from a joint project set up to bring state of the art digital technology and broadband to Blaenavon and the North of Torfaen.

“Getting connected” is a partnership between Melin Homes, Torfaen County Borough Council and the Heads of the Valley Initiative. The first part of the project is underway and involves fibre optic broadband being installed at Church View in the town. Once work is complete, the building, which is owned by Melin, will become a centre for digital learning for both residents and local businesses.

The second element of the project will provide Melin residents with improved access to digital technology and we have recently held several information events in Blaenavon and carried out telephone and doorstep surveys with residents to determine how many people currently have access to computers and broadband.

Residents who do not currently have sufficient access may be able to benefit in several ways by receiving one, or more of the following.

• free computer training

• free broadband access

• a free home computer

Director of Communities and Enterprise Kellie Beirne explained “Melin has a commitment to developing communities and this scheme has the potential to help our residents in North Torfaen to gain access to digital technology and the huge benefits this can bring including training and job opportunities.”

Look out for more details in the next edition of Melin News.

10

The Melin Information bus will be used during our regular estate visits over the coming months. Melin Residents’ Panel and senior members of Melin staff will be out and about carrying out their monthly visits giving you an opportunity to bring local issues or concerns to our attention. Based on your feedback, we will now respond in writing to any issues raised during our visits within two weeks.

When we are due in your area you will receive details through the post a week before. If you would like us to call at your home please let us know at least three days before the visit.

Here are the visits planned for the next few months:

• 12 January - Cwmbran• 26 January – Crickhowell• 9 February – Newport• 23 February - Croesyceiliog• 9 March – Griffithstown• 23 March – Blaenavon

Further details will be available before each visit on our website www.melinhomes.co.uk

The Melin bus is also available to residents to help improve and develop their local communities. In December residents of Ty George Lansbury were taken Christmas shopping in Bridgend.

If you live in the north of Torfaen you may also see the Melin bus out and about throughout December and January. We will be using it to speak to communities to find out what they need to help them get connected to digital technology (See page 9).

If you have an idea of how the Melin bus could be used within your local community please contact our Community and Enterprise team on 01495 745910.

All Aboard the Melin Bus

Youngsters from Hillside enjoyed a trip on the Melin bus to Cyfartha Park fishing lake in Merthyr which resulted in a record 55 fish being caught in one afternoon.

Under the expert guidance of our friends from Merthyr Angling Club the youngsters landed a range of course fish throughout the day.

Luke Powell caught the biggest fish, whilst Holly and Charlotte managed to successfully lose four hooks and floats up a nearby tree!

The youngsters completed their day out in the local park and Holly Crawford was the roundabout champion successfully defeating young Liam in the final.

This was another super sports day organised by Melin’s Community Development Team as part of our youth sports initiative.

What a catch!

Hillside youngsters enjoy a day out

Melin news

11

Continued support for Dragons youth initiative

Melin are delighted to be sponsoring Newport Gwent Dragons’ youth educational programme for the third year running.

The Second Half project provides a unique opportunity for thousands of 8 - 11 year olds to participate in an out–of-school learning experience each year at the Dragon’s home ground, Rodney Parade.

Youngsters enjoy a stadium tour, meet and interview Dragons players and experience the impressive ‘Changing Room Experience’ where they watch a motivational video in the players changing room. They also receive a 20-hour curriculum based educational booklet to complete following the visit. The project aims to build self-esteem and confidence and

supports both the Dragon’s and Melin’s commitment to youth initiatives, community generation and lifelong learning.

Peter Crockett, Deputy Chief Executive at Melin said: “We are delighted to be working with the Dragon’s on this excellent project for a third year. It is another example of our commitment to supporting youth sport and education projects in the areas where we have homes.”

This year we will also benefit from Melin specific school holiday activities and the chance for 20 of our younger residents to act as a guard of honour at a televised match against the Ospreys in the New Year. These activities will be coordinated by our Community Development Officers.

Newport Gwent Dragons’ players Lewis Evans, Mike Sage, Dragons

Community Manager and Ashley Smith with Peter Crockett,

and Gareth George, Melin Homes.

If you live in one of our sheltered schemes or commual flats and would like Sky TV, Sky Plus or Sky HD services installed in your home we advise you to use our preferred contractor.

Your home is connected to a communal ariel and/or satellite dish and most registered Sky installers will not, or cannot access these systems so using them can result in incomplete installations e.g. you may not be able to record.

To avoid any problems we suggest you use a company called Elite Aerials who are the approved contractor for installing and maintaining all of Melin’s satelellite equipment. Elite are a registered Sky installer and therefore charge the same price as other companies.

For further information about Elite or to make an appointment please contact Miranda or Mike directly on 01792 585858 or email sales@eliteaerial-satellite.co.uk

Sky TV

Services

12

Cutting down on waste at Christmas

Food and shopping

With Christmas fast approaching here are some tips to help you reduce the amount of food and therefore money you waste.

Wasting food costs the average household £420 a year so when shopping think ahead, store food efficiently and use recipes for leftover food to not only keep waste to a minimum but save some money too.

Tips for reducing food waste this Christmas:

Think ahead:

• put a list together before you head to the shops - saving time and money• check what’s in your cupboard, fridge or freezer before you shop• keep food ‘staples’ in the cupboard from which you can make a quick meal• shop with meals in mind and be realistic about what you’ll eat

Storage tips:

• know what needs eating first and check the date labels (for example, use by, best before)• if you’ve got food such as bread you won’t eat immediately, try freezing it• make the most of your Christmas leftovers; not only is leftover turkey great for making sandwiches, salad and pies, but leftover vegetables can be used in soups or curries. There are many recipe available online; visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for lots of recipe ideas.

Recycling

With over 30% more rubbish produced over the Christmas period, it is more important than ever to recycle and be green. Here are some top tips for a very merry and very green Christmas:

• Do not over wrap Christmas presents use a Christmas stocking instead of paper or use recycled paper • Cut up old Christmas cards and make tags for presents • Turn off your fairy lights• Buy rechargeable instead of disposable batteries• If you have a compost bin, use it for your fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags etc• If your area is covered by a food waste collection service, use it for your kitchen and garden waste. • Recycle as much as you can e.g. cans, glass, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, plastic, Christmas cards and real Christmas trees

Refuse collections

Don’t forget to find out from your local councilwhen your refuse and recycling will becollected over the Christmas holiday. Look inthe local press or you can phone your localcouncil. • Newport City Council 01633 656656• Torfaen County Borough Council 01495 762200• Monmouthshire County Council 01633 644644• Blaenau Gwent County Council 01495 311556• Powys County Council 01597 826000

Melin Residents’ Panel Committee

With 2009 rapidly coming to a close, Committee members are really pleased with what has been achieved over the year both in helping our fellow Melin residents and assisting Melin Homes in their continual pursuit of providing the best possible homes and services.

The targets we set ourselves for the year have mostly been achieved, though we are not complacent and are always looking for ways to improve. We always welcome letters of praise or complaint – especially the complaining ones as these give us the opportunity to rectify our mistakes. Through our direct access to everyone employed at Melin, who give us their full cooperation, and our own budget we endeavour to resolve issues as swiftly as possible to residents’ satisfaction.

Complaints about housing and services must be first directed to your housing officer or maintenance officer. Only when you are not satisfied with the service you receive will the committee be able to help.

Our fortnightly estate visits are a practical way to help sort out issues that give you concern. The areas visited are given notice in advance of the visit and our presence is now made more visible by use of the Melin bus. We also welcome Residents to meet with us and accompany us on the visit in their areas.

The Committee wishes everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2010. You can be assured, as residents working on behalf of residents, we will always do our best for you.

As a result of significant cost savings across the organisation this year, residents in selected homes in Pontypool, Caldicot, Ebbw Vale and Monmouth will have their properties upgraded ahead of schedule.

The following improvement works will be carried out :

82 new kitchens 30 new bathrooms 25 new showers New windows and doors for 20 homesImproved door entry systems for a number of our older persons schemes The above work will be completed by March 2010 and we will contact you by letter if your home is included in our revised programme.

Please note, all of Melin’s improvement work is carried out on a planned basis. This is dependent on when your home was last upgraded and our budget for the year.

A look at 2009

Improvement

work fast

tracked

Melin news

13

It’s now been 12 months since we brought our gas servicing and plumbing services in-house and we are delighted to report that this has resulted in significant cost savings which we can now use to re-invest in your homes.

In this time our team of engineers, plumbers and our apprentice have carried out over 6,000 repairs, new installations and gas services, and customer satisfaction has increased from 85% to 93% which is excellent news.

The cost savings will also enable us to bring forward planned improvement work, see page 13 for more details

Thumbs up for Direct Work Force

14

New team results in cost savings.

15

Keep well this winter With winter upon us and escalating food and energy prices rarely out of the news, it’s hardly surprising that many older people are viewing the coming months with concern. Keep well this winter is an annual campaign which encourages people over 60 to keep warm, keep well and keep healthy by providing information about the wide range of support that is available.

Keeping warm It is very important to stay warm as we are all more likely to catch colds and flu in winter. It’s possible to keep warm and cut down on energy use. For free, independent and local energy saving advice call 0800 512 012, or visit www.energysavingwales.org.uk

Get vaccinatedThe flu vaccination has been around for several years now and it has helped many older people to avoid the virus. Vaccines are available, free of charge, to those over 60 or if you are invited because you are ‘at risk’. Contact your GP for information.

Winter Fuel Payment This tax-free annual benefit for people over 60 is usually paid from November. The amount varies depending on age and personal circumstances but may be up to £400 for couples.

Contact the helpline: 08459 151515 or textphone 0845 6015613

Cold Weather PaymentIf the temperature drops to or falls below freezing (0ºC) for seven consecutive days, you may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each qualifying week between November 1st and March 31st to help with extra heating costs. You don’t need to apply; you’ll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically. Tell your pension centre if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment.

Help from utility companiesIf you are over 60, you may be eligible for additional help from your energy company. Contact the telephone number on your bill for more information.

The home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) Grants are available to provide heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £3,600.

Contact 0800 316 2815

South Wales Fire ServiceFor a free fire safety check

Contact 0800 1691234 or email: education@southwales-fire.gov.uk

Keep a check on your benefit entitlement£4.6 billion in benefits go unclaimed by older people every year. You may be able to claim NHS Benefits, help with free dental treatment or glasses, housing and council tax benefits, attendance allowance and carers’ allowance. The Pensions service can check whether you are entitled to any of the above. Telephone 0845 6060265 for information.

Melin news

16

Care & Repair Torfaensupport

Care & Repair Torfaen is supporting the national ‘Keep Well This Winter’ Campaign by holding a series of roadshows in Torfaen in January, 2010.

Care & Repair is a national organisation who carry out home adaptations and provide advice making it easier for pensioners and disabled homeowners to continue to live independently.

The roadshows are being held from 6th – 25th January 2010 at the following venues:

Wednesday 6th January – Pontypool Indoor Market – 10am - 1.30pm Tuesday 12th January – Millennium Hall, Garndiffaith – 11am – 1.30pm Monday 18th January – Abersychan Health Centre – 9am - 11.30pm Tuesday 19th January - Woodland Road Social Club (annexe) – 2pm – 4pm Monday 25 January – Carreg Wen Surgery, Blaenavon – 9.30am – 11.30pm

All homeowners or private tenants aged over 60 who attend the roadshows will receive a Healthy Homes Checklist, 2 free energy saving light bulbs and entry into a draw for a chance to win a free food hamper.

For further details please call Care & Repair Torfaen on 08453 101180.

Melin news

New Year - New Home

17

Melin invests in young people

Seven young people have been given the opportunity to learn new skills and gain employment thanks to a six month work placement.

Melin was recently successful in a joint bid with Torfaen Council to provide jobs for young people with the Department for Work and Pensions’ £1 billion Future Jobs Fund.

As a result we will be providing employment for at least six months to 12 young people, who are finding it difficult to find work.

The young people are working in a range of departments and, in addition to valuable work experience, they will receive training and development opportunities.

The first of our Future Job Fund Trainees, Chris Barker age 19 from Trevethin, Vikki Bradshaw age 20 and Yasmin Hier age 21 who both live in Cwmbran have been with us since September. We asked them about their time at Melin and what they hoped to gain from their placement.

Vikki said: “I am enjoying every minute here. Everyone I’ve met has been friendly, helpful and good fun. I enjoy coming to work and I hope to gain a qualification and eventually a job particularly in community development.”

Chris said: “Everybody has been so welcoming and friendly when I have been out and about to see what Melin does. It is my first real job and has helped build my confidence. I am gaining valuable work experience with Melin.

Yasmin added: “I was initially very nervous about starting my new job, but that soon disappeared when I realised how friendly and approachable everyone is. I am getting plenty of experience and learning valuable skills in different departments at Melin which will definitely help me to get a permanent job.”

Kellie Beirne, Melin’s Director of Communities and Enterprise Team is delighted with the enthusiasm shown by our first placements. She said: “It reinforces to all of us precisely why we have committed to working with the Future Jobs Fund and helping local young people access work experience and training”.

Melin’s new future job fund recruits

New Year - New Home

Burton’s PlaceLlantarnam Road, Cwmbran

Only 3

remaining!

Discover more about Melin’s new properties at Burton’s Place.

This new development of 24 houses will include 8 one bedroom flats, 4 two bedroom houses and 12 three bedroom houses. There will be both rental and homebuy opportunities across the site.

For purchasers keen to access the property ladder we can offer purpose built one bedroom flats for £78, 750**

The flats have access to major road links and a wide range of local amenities. This represents an excellent opportunity for first time buyers

Homebuy is available to eligible clients registered with Torfaen help 2 own scheme.Further details on request 01495 745925 / 01495 745928

*All images are for illustration purposes only

**Price represents 75 / 25 shared equity scenario 18

MelinTy’r Efail, Lower Mill Field, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 0XJ

T: General enquiries 08453 101102 T: Repairs 0800 9753149

E: e-mail enquiries@melinhomes.co.uk W: www.melinhomes.co.uk

Residents’ PanelT: 08453 101102 E: e-mail residentspanel@melinhomes.co.uk