spotlight on merthyr tydfil summer 2014

MERTHYR TYDFILISSUE 6 | SUMMER 2014

SPOTLIGHT ON

2 | Spotlight on MERTHYR TYDFIL | Summer 2014 | www.wwha.co.uk

Anne’s IntroductionWelcome to the Summer 2014 edition of Spotlight on Merthyr Tydfil. This edition features news about our work in Merthyr Tydfil, as well as across the whole of Wales.

The last 12 months have been extremely busy at WWH. We are delivering our largest new build programme for several decades and have just passed the first anniversary of many of the UK Government’s welfare reforms. The economy is turning the corner and 2014 is shaping up to be a much more positive year than those of recent.

We have helped our residents cope with the changes to benefits and avoided our worst fears of many people falling into debt. We have bolstered the number of frontline staff to be able to offer more support to residents at this time and our latest resident satisfaction survey shows that this is well received.

Our service offer continues to grow from debt and money advice, help

with energy bills to hot lunches provided by Castell Catering. We are listening to our residents so that they shape what we do and how we do it.

Our business has changed in recent years so we are now a Group of companies with three subsidiaries focusing on maintenance, development and social enterprise and employment.

We have changed to make ourselves more efficient and use the money we have saved to build even more affordable homes. We have increased the scale and range of our new build programme in response to the growing need for good quality, well designed and affordable homes to buy and rent.


testament to our hard working and dedicated staff.

To conclude, I hope that this briefing will help to keep you up to date our work in your area and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at any time with your ideas and comments about any aspect of our work.

Anne Hinchey, Chief ExecutiveWales & West Housing Group

Finally, I am very pleased to report that according to Sunday Times Best Companies we not only retained our status as the top ranked not-for-profit organisation in Wales, but in fact moved up two places to be at No 5 in the whole of the UK.

With more than 800 not-for-profit organisations entering the Sunday Times Best Companies accreditation process we are very proud indeed of our continued success, which is a

Wales & West HousingGroup Structure


Across Wales 213 homes were provided for social rent and three for sale as ‘low cost home-ownership’ options. Nikki Cole is WWH’s Head of Development and said with housing needs at critical levels, we are being asked for housing from a broader range of people than ever before. Even with the housing marketing picking up, many people are still unable to buy or afford to rent. Our development strategy will see WWH build homes for social rent, affordable rent, sale and low cost home ownership.

We are actively looking for development sites and our Board has approved a five year £150m build

Our £150m build programme continues apace

programme to provide more than 1,000 homes.

2014 is shaping up to be an even bigger year. WWH is on site or about to start in 9 locations and hope to complete over 550 homes, many through the Welsh government’s innovative HF Grant initiative. We have built credible expertise as developing organization at as specialist housing for vulnerable people, social housing as well as extra care.

For more info please go to: www.wwha.co.uk

WWH expanded its development programme several years ago and 2013 saw a further increase in the number of homes completed.

Computer-generated image of the new development at New Road, Porthcawl, Bridgend


Breakdown of WWH completions per local authority area in 2013 is as follows:

Coed y Castell, Bridgend

23 social rented scheme

Brython Drive, Cardiff & Ty Gwyn, Cardiff

9 intermediate rented and 3 Low Cost Home Ownership & 4 intermediate rented

West Shore, Conwy

12 social rented

Denbighshire 0

Llys Jasmine, Flintshire

63 extra care

Vulcan House, Merthyr Tydfil

15 social rented

Cwmfalldau, Powys

9 social rented

Rivulet Road & Kingsmills Road, Wrexham

78 social rented and Hightown Community Resource Centre

Vale of Glamorgan

0

Number of homes under development as at December 31st 2013:

• Maesgwyn & New Road, Bridgend – 28 social rented & 40 social rented

• Elm Street, Cardiff – 10 retirement housing

• Flint House & Glan y Don, Flintshire – 33 retirement housing & 58 social rented

• Quakers Yard, Merthyr Tydfil – 17 social rented

• Kingsmills Road & Rivulet Road, Wrexham – 50 social rented & 20 social rented

• Townmills Road, Vale of Glamorgan – 5 intermediate rented

WWH Development staff outside Llys Jasmine Extra Care/Dementia Care Scheme , Flintshire


The ‘bedroom tax’ and welfare reformApril 2014 saw the first anniversary of the introduction of the ‘bedroom tax’ and ongoing implementation of several other welfare reforms. The changes have had a major impact on many of our residents and our strategy to help people cope with the changes has been very effective.

More than 800 of WWH’s residents saw their housing benefit reduced in April 2013 and 12 families had their benefits capped by the end of September 2013. Despite lots of letters and articles in our residents’ magazine, In Touch, and on our website, people were not prepared for the changes. We took the step of visiting everyone who we thought might be affected, over 1,000 residents. Having face to face meetings with everyone has been crucial to our success in helping people to cope.

Shayne Hembrow, Deputy Chief Executive, explains: “We have tried to strike a balance between supporting residents and making sure that rent was paid. It has proved important to know the ‘won’t payers’ from the ‘can’t payers’. We will do all we can to help those that engage and make the effort.

WWH has done the following:

• Invested over £180,000 per year in Tenancy Support Officers. Seven new posts were created and recruited to directly help residents.

• WWH has helped people increase their income by £780 per year through accessing benefits and grants, renegotiating debt and improving financial management.

• Over 100 people have moved to a more suitable home, where one was available

• 85% of people are now paying their rent in full, up from 50% in May 2013.


Most people have chosen to stay in their homes. Some because this is the community they have always been a part of, and they don’t want to move children to different schools, or they are close to where they work. For others, they are unable to move because there are no smaller homes to move to.

For some of our residents, the chances are even more difficult. Disabled residents living in homes that have been sustainably adapted for their needs cannot easily move and have no guarantee of getting adaptations on a future property.

We also published a research paper on this problem and lobbied the Government to change the rules and exempt disabled residents in adapted homes.

Our findings were shocking with a potential cost of £40m to the public purse in Wales and we and our partners at Community Housing Cymru have been actively lobbying MPs, AMs and other stakeholders to campaign for the UK Government to change this policy.

For more information please go to: http://www.wwha.co.uk/About-Us/News/Pages/Public-money-set-to-be-wasted.aspx

Such has been the impact of the data in our report that it has been used extensively by those campaigning against and reporting on the impact of welfare reform in Wales including the Parliamentary Welsh Affairs Select Committee, and plenary sessions in the Senedd.

Resident Judith Parker lives with daughter Emma, 21, and son Luke, 17 in a WWH purpose-built bungalow in Caerau, Cardiff


In February the company has been rated the top not-for-profit firm in Wales for the third year running by the Sunday Times Best Companies process, which placed Wales & West Housing 5th in the UK overall. Under the same process WWH also retained the coveted gold standard three stars Best Companies accreditation.

Last autumn WWH was also named in 24 Housing’s inaugural Top 50 Affordable Landlords in the UK list, ranking at 42nd.

Vulcan Court, the redevelopment of historic Vulcan Brewery in Merthyr Tydfil, has just won Small Development of the Year in the prestigious UK Housing Awards 2014, and was also named as

one of Inside Housing’s inaugural Top 50 Affordable Housing Developments.

Llys Jasmine, WWH’s pioneering extra care and dementia care development in Mold, North Wales, was also shortlisted in the Large Development of the Year category of the UK Housing Awards.

Finally, we took first place in the Innovation in Renewables category in the UK Energy and Environment Awards 2014.

We’re the top not-for profit firm in Wales - again!It has been a particularly successful six months for WWH in terms of awards and accreditations.


Growth of Connect24

Since 2004 we have been delivering these services for other housing associations across Wales, and in the past year have crossed the border into England.

Since 2012 working under the Group sub-brand of Connect24 we are very pleased to be able to report dramatic growth in this part of our business in the last six months with us winning no less than eight new contracts with seven different organisations.

Our Connect24 service now monitors emergency alarm activations for 7,700 households across Wales and answer out of hours telephone calls for 50,000 households. Although this increase

For the past 15 years we have been responding to Emergency Alarm activations for our own residents and providing a 24 hour / 7days a week telephone service dealing with the full range of housing management issues.

in our business is pleasing we are mindful of the need to deliver the same quality service and continue our good responsive working relationship with all our clients.

Recently we have purchased a lone working monitoring system so will soon be able to offer this new service to both established and new clients again under WWH’s Connect24 sub-brand.


Below is a summary of Connect24’s contracts:

Organisation Service delivered by WWH Connect24

Abbeyfield Housing Society Wales Emergency alarm/ TelecareBron Afon Community Housing Out of hours telephoneCharter Housing Association Out of hours telephoneDerwen Housing Association Out of hours telephoneElim Housing Association Out of hours telephoneGrwp Gwalia Out of hours telephoneHafal Out of hours telephoneHafan Cymru Out of hours telephoneMid Wales Housing Association Emergency alarm/ TelecareNewport City Homes Emergency alarm/ Telecare and Out of

hours telephoneNewydd Housing Association Emergency alarm/ TelecarePennaf Housing Group Emergency alarm/ TelecareTai Calon Emergency alarm/ Telecare and Out of

hours telephoneTemp2Perm Out of hours telephoneValleys 2 Coast Housing Emergency alarm/ TelecareWates Out of hours telephonePrivate individuals Emergency Alarm/ Telecare

If you want to learn more about the services we provide please contact:

Cate Dooher, Head of Support Services on 02920 415386 or [email protected]

Christine Bowns, CSC manager on 02920 415341 or [email protected]


Castell Ventures- a new social enterpriseCastell Ventures is a new company, part of the Wales & West Housing Group dedicated to creating more social investment and enterprise in communities across Wales. Anne Hinchey, WWH Group Chief Executive and Chair of Castell Ventures, explains why it was created.

“Communities need strong and responsible, ethical companies that are willing to put customers and service first, and care about the communities in which they operate. They need companies that buy locally, work locally and employ locally so that investments and profits stay within the community.”

Anne goes on to say: “Castell Ventures will have many dimensions and provide a range of services and products that our residents and communities tell us they need. It will create employment and training opportunities, and support residents to realise their full potential.”

The first division is Castell Catering. It was established in October last year to provide hot meals for older people in our extra care schemes and the wider community. Our work with Age Connect North East Wales and our new extra care schemes highlighted the need for hot meals services and Flintshire County Council were also keen to explore

the creation of a social enterprise to create more employment and training opportunities.

Castell Catering has given jobs to 15 people and is now serving more than 1,000 delicious hot meals a week. Wherever possible ingredients are sourced locally and feedback from customers have been fabulous.

For more information on Castell Catering, please contact 0800 052 2526. You can also visit www.wwha.co.uk


Annual Report 2013- strong, sustainable and here for the long term

Our Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013 has now been published showing that 2013 was a great year for the group.

With a turnover of £40m the Group made a surplus of £8.5m which was re-invested to support a spend of £27m on improvements such as kitchens, bathrooms and 213 new homes.

As a not for profit social business, no share dividends were paid or bonuses awarded, instead all money went to services for residents and to support communities. Delivering value for money for residents and partners is at the heart of the way we run our business.

Tony Wilson, Finance Director, explains: “Our strategy to bring more services in-house, control costs better and remove waste has been very successful. We have radically redesigned services to focus more on achieving value for residents and this has made us more efficient and able to reinvest more resources for the benefit of our communities.”

To see a copy of the report go to:http://www.wwha.co.uk/About-Us/Corporate-Information/Pages/Corporate-reports.aspx


Cambria Maintenance ServicesCambria maintenance Services continues to go from strength to strength and has now almost tripled in size since we set it up in 2010.

At the start of 2013 we extended our services to North Wales which means that Cambria now provides reactive maintenance services to all of our properties across the whole of Wales.

We are extremely proud of this achievement, and of the fact that Cambria employs more than 100 staff and is also training several apprentices.

Our vision is for Cambria to continue to grow and increase its workload. Undoubtedly Cambria has helped us make substantial efficiency savings, with £1.1m saved since its inception in 2010. This is equivalent to 330 kitchens, 380 bathrooms or 21 new grant funded homes. We can report too that Cambria has undertaken 24,500 repairs in 2013 alone, as well as refurbishing 228 kitchens and 466 bathrooms.


Supporting employment and training opportunities

Throughout 2013, WWH has supported 58 apprenticeships, achieved more than 13,500 training hours and maintained an average of 83.75% regarding the use of local labour and supply chains.

We have also been successful in providing work and training opportunities through the Go Wales programme and one former scheme participant – Libby Price - has gone on to gain full-time employment as the manager of our new community resource centre in Hightown, Wrexham.

Another example of a successful work placement has seen University of Glamorgan Events Management student Lisa Williams working voluntarily with the PR & Marketing team. Lisa helped to raise more than £9,000 in sponsorship for WWH’s flagship Making A Difference Awards in October 2013.

Finally, construction, design and management student Jack Donald, from Leeds university, who gained a voluntary work placement with our North Wales-based development team, is now being paid for his contribution such is the quality of his work.

‘Making a difference to lives, homes and communities’ is our mission and we look forward to building upon the successes of 2013 with further significant support for work, employment and training opportunities across Wales.

The WWH Group is committed to supporting as many work and training opportunities as it can throughout its various areas of business.

Pictured is student Jack Donald (left) with Craig Sparrow, WWH Development Manager


Reported anti-social behaviour down by 50% In 2013 we reviewed the way we approached anti social behaviour and since then have completed a radical overhaul of our system.

Our new customer-centred approach has seen reported cases of ASB and nuisance behaviour drop by a huge 50% - from 1260 reported incidents in 2012 to 625 in 2013. Empowering residents to make informed decisions, encouraging and assisting residents to find lasting solutions, and, assisting residents to sustain their tenancies by putting relevant support in place have been the bedrock of our success to date.

Bucking the trend with evictions A further development about which we are extremely pleased is the drop in our figures for evictions.

Recently the media reported a rise in the number of evictions of social housing tenants, in particular after the introduction of welfare reforms. However, in complete contrast, WWH is bucking this particular trend.

In 2006 we evicted 3 households for anti social behaviour and 46 for rent arrears, a total of 49 evictions.

In 2013 we evicted 6 households for anti social behaviour and 10 for rent arrears, totalling just 16 evictions. These figures represent a drop of 67% over a seven year period.

Lynnette Glover, Head of Housing at WWH, attributes this drop to a ‘complete change in our culture which has seen us put the needs of our customers first. We work hard to help people to keep their tenancies with eviction as the last resort. Our new approach includes innovative rent panels In which persistent non-payers are given a significant last chance to address their problems and make a lasting arrangement which will tackle their arrears and these have been praised by the judiciary in Wales.’


WHQS and tackling fuel povertyAt Wales & West Housing we are committed to tackling fuel poverty as well as making our properties as environmentally friendly as possible. Here is a snapshot of some of the work we have undertaken in recent months to these ends:

• The vast majority of our properties have been insulated ( cavity walls and loft)

• We have made 600+ fuel switches to gas central heating at a cost of approximately £1.5 - £2m

• We have spent approximately £1.3m on existing stock, completing:

34 ground source heat pump

retrofits 49 air source heat pump retrofits

with remote monitoring and control• We will be undertaking 4 whole

house smart energy system retrofits (planned for May 2014 in partnership with Cardiff and Glyndwr Universities (part of the SOLCER project)

• We were winners in the Renewables Innovation category in the 2014 UK Energy and Environment Awards

• Our residents at Western Court retirement scheme in Bridgend were also winners of the UK Sustainable Tenants of the Year Award 2014

We have now met the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and our enduring focus continues to be tackling fuel poverty, helping to make homes warmer and reduce bills.


Housing for their generous donation which will allow us to enhance the vital work our foodbanks do across Wales. As people in Wales find their circumstances becoming more difficult the Trussell Trust welcomes our partnership with Wales & West Housing and their recognition of the challenges that many people across our country are facing.”

L-R: Karen Lewis, WWH Scheme Manager, Cleide Correia, Tony Graham and Anne Hinchey

Supporting the Trussell Trust and foodbanks across Wales

Representatives of the Trussell Trust and supporters of Merthyr Cynon Foodbank met WWH Chief Executive Anne Hinchey at Ty Pontrhun retirement scheme in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, to receive the cheque.

WWH, which manages more than 9,500 affordable homes in 12 local authority areas across North, Mid and South Wales has been working closely with the Trussell Trust and foodbanks across Wales for the past year. WWH operates foodbank collection points in many of its retirement schemes across Wales, as well as in their offices in Cardiff and Flint.

Across Wales WWH staff and residents have donated more than 640kg of food to foodbanks in Flintshire, Wrexham, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend as well as Merthyr Cynon in the past 12 months.

Tony Graham, manager from Trussell Trust Wales, said, “I would like to add our grateful thanks to Wales & West

Earlier this year the Board of Wales & West Housing donated £5,000 to the Trussell Trust, the organisation behind foodbanks across Wales.


The new Hightown Community Resource Centre

Left: The Polish community in Hightown celebrate Christmas at the new HCRC

Ongoing development works at Kingsmills Road, Hightown, Wrexham

Running the London Marathon for Stroke Association WalesWWH Housing Officer Andrew Pritchard ran the 2014 London Marathon, raising more than £3000 in aid of Stroke Association Wales.

Andy, who works in the Bridgend area, was motivated to enter the race by seeing at first hand the devastating effects of a stroke after his grandmother suffered a series of attacks.

Congratulations to Andy on completing this, his first marathon, in an impressive four hours, three minutes and 26 seconds and if you would like to donate you can still do so, post-event at his Virgin Money Giving page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewPritchardLondonMarathon2104


New developments in Merthyr Tydfil

Quakers Yard – new properties nearing completion

Our new development at Rodericks Terrace, Quakers Yard, in Merthyr Tydfil is nearing completion and properties will soon be advertised on Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s new Housing Choice website, www.merthyrhousingchoice.org.uk

The nine two bedroom houses and one two bedroom bungalow have been built on the former Ysgol Rhu-y-Grug site and are the result of partnership working between Wales & West Housing and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

The £2m development was part-funded by £1.25m Social Housing Grant from the Welsh Government with a further £750,000 funding from WWH.

New site acquired at Abercanaid

We are now working with the Church in Wales to enable the redevelopment of St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church in

Abercanaid. The scheme will provide approximately 13 new affordable properties for rent and will also help support the upgrading of the existing church hall for community and worship use. It is hoped we will be able to commence work on site later this year.

One bed flats proposed for Twyncarmel

We have residents on the Twyncarmel estate who need to downsize because of the ‘bedroom tax’ or spare room subsidy.

We are now working on plans to build 8 one bedroom flats and 2 one bedroom bungalows on a part of the field area by 304 Twyncarmel to help us meet that need.

A consultation with residents will take place shortly, but residents can rest assured that this proposal will not stop anyone being able to continue to use the remainder of the field area for informal leisure activities.


Vulcan Court wins prestigious UK Housing Award

Not only has the development won the prestigious UK Housing Award 2014 for Small Development of the Year, but it was also recognized by 24 Housing’s inaugural Top 50 Affordable Housing Developments in the UK.

IIt has been an incredibly successful year for Vulcan Court, our new development built on the site of the former Vulcan House in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

In January Huw Lewis, AM and Welsh Government Education Minister, officially opened the development of 15 high quality new affordable homes, representing the next chapter in the life of historic Vulcan House.


The Grade II listed building off Brecon Road – a former brewery and centre of Chartist activity in the 19th century - had fallen into disrepair until we redeveloped the site in partnership with MTCBC.

Welcoming news of Vulcan Court’s success at the UK Housing Awards 2014, Huw Lewis AM told us: “From a dilapidated, historic building to much-needed accommodation for Merthyr Tydfil, Vulcan House is a real success story. Having met some of the new residents, I know that they are thrilled with the quality of their new homes.

“Without the support and tenacity of Wales & West Housing this project simply would not have happened and I’m delighted that Vulcan House has rightly been recognised at the prestigious UK Housing Awards. As the local Assembly Member, I offer my wholehearted congratulations to everyone who made it possible.”

The £2.2m redevelopment is the result of close team working between WWH, MTCBC, Cadw, Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust and the pupils of Cyfarthfa Junior School.


Herman Valentin, one of our Community Development Project Officers in Cardiff is also a trained youth worker.

Herman will be working with young people from the Twyncarmel area to not only find out what kind of facilities and activities they would like, but to help them to become involved in the sourcing of funding and establishment of any resulting initiatives.

Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, other partners in the project include:

Scouts WalesCarmarthen Youth project (Dr M’z), CaST, Cwmbran Centre for Young People (CCYP), Senghenydd Youth Drop In Centre (SYDIC), Boys and Girls Clubs, Promo Cymru, Wales & West Housing,

GETTING TOGETHERPROJECT FOR TWYNCARMEL

Theatre Fforwm Cymru, Shelter Cymru, Mencap Cymru.

WWH Community Development Participation Officer Herman Valentin is leading on this project and for more information about the project please email [email protected]

After residents told us that they wanted more arranged activities for young people in the area we are now working with Treharris Boys and Girls Club on the exciting new ‘Getting Together Project’.

HERMAN VALENTINCommunity Development Project Officer

23| Spotlight on MERTHYR TYDFIL | Summer 2014 | www.wwha.co.uk

Football festival scores highly with local youngsters Continuing on the theme of youth engagement, we are also delighted to be working in partnership with Merthyr Town Football Club on a series of community football festivals.

A successful taster session was held in November 2013 and was followed up by the Dragon Sport Day in early April and two Merthyr Town FC Mini Football Festivals in May. Hundreds of primary school pupils from the county borough have enjoyed the opportunity to play at The Martyrs’ Cigg-E stadium as a result of these WWH-sponsored events.

Brent Carter, Business Development Manager with Merthyr Town Football Club, said: “To see teams here from

so many primary schools in Merthyr Tydfil is tremendous, and this is just the start. “Merthyr Town FC wouldn’t have been able to put these events on without the amazing sponsorship and support from Wales & West Housing, to whom we owe a massive debt. For me this is just the start of a glowing relationship and working together to offer youngsters the opportunity of taking part in sport for no cost is just what the community of Merthyr Tydfil needs.”

L-R Brent Carter, Business Development Manager, Cllr Brendan Toomey, Mayor Graham Davies, Anne Hinchey, WWH Chief Executive and Elliott Evans, Community Development Manager with the winning teams


Tenancy Support Officers- making a difference

To date, 79% are managing to pay, some with the support of the Council and 11 have been helped to move.

One such case is Mrs D. She was living in a three bedroom house with her partner and two young children. She was struggling to make up the shortfall after her housing benefit was reduced. Even with Sharon’s help in getting her debts reduced and with more careful budgeting, Mrs D could not afford to stay where she was living. With limited smaller accommodation available in

the area of her son’s school moving was difficult, although fortunately a two bedroom flat in one of WWH’s new developments became available and Ms D was able to move. She is now settled and happy in her new home. Our Tenancy Support Officers continue to make a huge difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents across Wales and nowhere more so than in Merthyr Tydfil. This is just one example of kind of work undertaken and the positive impact that can be achieved.

Some 65 of our residents have been affected by the bedroom tax in Merthyr Tydfil. Sharon Jones, our Tenancy Support Officer working in the Merthyr area has been supporting all of these residents to help pay or move to a more suitable home. SHARON JONES

Tenancy Support Officer

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