Sanctuary Housing Services Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

100 years youngPage 4

Key checks to stay warm this winterPage 7

Take your digital journeyPage 11

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WELCOME

W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

Welcome to the winter edition of Voice.

In this issue we focus on the Benefit Cap and update you with all the latest from the Government’s Autumn Statement (pages five to six) and how it might affect you. To see you through the winter months, we have also featured a message about heating from our Gas team (page seven) and top tips from the NHS ‘Stay Well This Winter’ campaign (page 14).

CONTENTS

P2 Paying your rent over the festive seasonP3 Round your way (Part One)P4 100 years youngP5 Focus on The Benefit CapP6 Update from the Autumn StatementP7 Key checks to stay warm this winterP8 Love your Neighbourhood- Hate Fly-tippingP9-10 Round your way (Part Two)P11 Sanctuary OnlineP12 Tenancy SupportP13 Sanctuary 365P14 Stay well this winterBack Page Quiz of the year

Included in our usual round up of stories local to you, we have two centenarians (page 4). Congratulations to Mrs Hart and  Mrs Nieczceretna on their milestone birthdays. If you, a friend or family member have any

big birthday celebrations, milestones or anniversaries coming up, please do let us know by emailing housing.communications@sanctuary-housing.co.uk 

Whatever you get up to over the festive season, on behalf of Sanctuary Housing I wish you and your families well and send you best wishes for a happy and successful 2017!

Best wishes,

Simon ClarkGroup Director - Housing

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Paying your rentChristmas can put a real financial strain on anyone, with a lot of pressure to spend money. Whatever the demands and expectations on you, paying your rent is a priority.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties please call us on 0800 131 3348 or 0300 123 3511. The sooner you contact us the better. We can offer you help and advice. We understand that at times things can be tight but please remember, non-payment of rent can be serious.

So please enjoy this festive period but remember to pay your rent. 

Contacting us Our Customer Service Centre is open as usual 24 hours a day. General enquiries: 0800 131 3348 or 0300 123 3511 Our repairs helpline will also remain 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the festive period. Repairs: 0800 916 1525 or 0300 123 3561

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By allpay Pay your rent over the phone by calling 0844 557 8321 (24hrs a day) or by visiting www.allpayments.net

By PayPointUse your rent card to pay at any shop displaying the PayPoint logo. Visit www.paypoint.co.uk to find your nearest PayPoint.

By cheque Write a cheque quoting your name, pay reference number and address on the back and hand it in to your local housing office.

Set up a direct debit/standing order The easiest way to pay your rent is to call 0800 131 3348 (from landlines)0300 123 3511 (from mobiles).

Cheques to be sent by post to Enterprise House, Chamber Court, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3ZQ. Cheques must be made payable to Sanctuary Housing Association. Enter address and payment reference number (if known) on reverse.

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Sanctuary residents and visitors text their knowledge

Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony

Silver Sunday at Hartshorne CourtResidents of Hartshorne Court sheltered housing

scheme have been testing their knowledge with other

members of the community at a Silver Sunday quiz

spectacular.

Sanctuary residents and visitors from the town tackled topics ranging from geog Traphy to picture challenges with the prize of a free dinner at the schemeU’s restaurant up for grabs for the winning team.

Scheme Manager Viv Chalmers said: “We had a great turnout with 20 residents taking par

S

t and . some delicious treats provided from Sanctuary.

“It’s brought a lot of people closer together and has proved so popular we’re already being asked when we can host the next one!”

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Did you know?Silver Sunday, which this year took place on Sunday 2 October, is a national event launched in 2012 to reduce social isolation among older people.

New Foxhole community hub

New Crafty Fox Café ‘n’ Hub, in

Torbay, is a community-led project

supported by Sanctuary Housing,

Torbay Community Development

Trust and The People’s Health

Trust.

The hub has been set up at Sanctuary’s former offices and aims to reduce social isolation and help the unemployed find work with services including a café, job club, craft clubs and advice surgeries on welfare benefits and finances.

During a special launch weekend, Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes constituency, officially opened the Hub, she said: ““I was delighted to hearabout this exciting community-led project and come along to celebrate its opening. You can see the sense of community already instilled by the centre which will be a welcome addition to Torbay, providing a hub forresidents to come together and also help boost local employment opportunities.”

Lynne Roberts, Neighbourhood Partnerships Manager for Torbay, said: “We are proud to support this

volunteer-led project that will be an integral part of the community providing a new, useful resource for residents.”

ROUND YOUR WAY

YEARS YOUNG

Maria NieczceretnaMaria was born on 18 November 1916 and escaped from Poland during the second world war when she came to live in England. She married in England and lived in the North where she had one daughter.

Maria moved in to John Pound House, in Bournemouth, on 19 June 1995 after her husband passed away. She has been very happy there ever since.

Emma Stride, Support Co-ordinator, said: “Maria looks upon her friends and the residents of John Pound House as her family.

“Maria is very independent and goes out to her church every day.She always attends social activities at the scheme.

“Maria celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and fellow residents and she hopes that they will all reach the age of 100 while they continue to enjoy life at John Pound House.”

Maria at her birthday celebrations with her friend Connie

Nancie HartNancie Hart, a resident from Swanage, marked her 100th birthday on 15 October at a surprise party with balloons, cake and the traditional card from Her Majesty the Queen.

Born in Chelmsford, Essex, her first job was with the German bank Kleinwort of Fenchurch Street, London. Mrs Hart commented: “In those days you were not allowed to be married and work!

“Most of my growing up time was spent at a little estuary village on the Blackwater where we kept a houseboat, on which we lived from Easter onwards, weekends and holidays.  We had to row down to the village in the dinghy to fetch the water from the pump and do the shopping at the village shop.

In the other direction we rowed up the canal to the farm for milk.  If we wanted to go to church we rowed to the next village, and if we needed a big shop we walked over to the sea wall and waved a handkerchief and someone in a dinghy came and rowed across to Maldon for 6d.

During this time I became interested in painting and this has remained with me for the rest of my life.”

When asked her secret to long life, Mrs Hart said: “I’m just fortunate” .

Nanice with her birthday card from the Queen

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Focus on...The Benefit Capcould you be affected?If you are working-age (16 to 64 years old) then you and your family could be affected by the Benefit Cap. The Benefit Cap has reduced the maximum amount you can be paid in certain benefits to £385 per week for couples and families outside Greater London (£442 per week inside Greater London). For single people without children the amount will be reduced to £258 per week outside London (£296 a week in London).

The benefit reductions apply to a wide range of payments including Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit. The reduction is usually applied to payments made through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit first. A full list of the benefits affected can be found on line at www.gov.uk/benefit-cap/overview. Working-age people who are eligible for working tax credits are exempt from these changes and certain special benefit paymentssuch as disability living allowance are also not affected by the Benefit Cap.

 If you are already affected by the Benefit Cap then your payments will automatically be reduced from November to the new lower rate. If you are being brought into the cap for the first time then your payments will be reduced between November 2016 and January 2017. The Department for Work and Pensions has already written to people who they think will be affected by the new Benefit Cap.

For help and advice on the Benefit Cap and how it may affect you, please contact one of our special Income Advisers on 0800 916 1516.

MOVING THE CONVERSATION

Keep up to date with all the latest news from across

Sanctuary Housing via social media.

Alternatively, visit our website www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk

CONNECT WITH US

linkedin.com/company/sanctuary-housing.co.uk

@HelloSanctuary

Sanctuary Housing

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The Autumn Statement 2016 – Key PointsNational Minimum WageFrom April 2017 the National Minimum Wage will increase as listed below:Over 25s - From £7.20 per hour to £7.5021 to 24 year olds – from £6.95 per hour to £7.0518 to 20 year olds – from £5.55 per hour to £5.6016 to 17 year olds – from £4.00 per hour to £4.05Apprentices – from £3.40 per hour to £3.50

Tax Free Personal AllowanceThe amount of money you can earn before you start paying income tax will rise to £11,500 from April 2017.

Universal CreditAt the moment, for every £1 earned after tax, a person receiving Universal Credit has their benefit reduced by 65p and keeps 35p. They will now keep 37p for every

£1, from April 2017.

Letting Agents Fees In the near future, letting agents in England will no longer be able to charge renters fees, for example when they sign a new tenancy agreement.

Fuel DutyFuel duty will be frozen for another two years.

Insurance premiumsThe Insurance Premium Tax will rise from 10% to 12%

in June 2017. This may affect the price of motor, home

and other insurance products.

New NS&I Savings BondA new savings bond will be launched through National

Savings and Investments, with an interest rate

expected to be 2.2%. Available to savers aged 16

and over, with a minimum investment of £100 and

a maximum limit of £3,000. Savers must put in their

money for three years. This will be available for 12

months from spring 2017.

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Key checks before you call• Check that your Gas and Electrics to the appliances

are turned on.

• Check your thermostat is turned up.

• Is your programmer set to a ‘constant’ or an ‘on’ setting? Are there any lights or indicators illuminating?

• Is your programmer set to ‘timer’? Is this set to come on?

• Have the clocks gone forwards or back? Your clock programmer might need adjusting to the right time.

• Has your pilot light gone out? Have you tried re-setting this?

• Has your room thermostat been turned up? If it’s a digital thermostat, is there a low battery indicator symbol visible?

• Are you on a pre-payment meter? Have you got enough credit?

• Are any other gas appliances affected i.e. cooker, gas fire?

• Has there been a power cut recently? Your heating clock programmer may have returned to its factory setting when the power came back on.

• Some boilers have a pressure gauge on them, what is this reading? These usually need to be around 1 to 1.5 bars.

• Have you checked your input and output dials, are these set correctly on your storage heaters?

• Have you allowed sufficient time for the hot water to heat up?

• If you have a combi boiler is the ‘customer control’ hot water temperature dial set correctly?

• Is the hot water turned on at the time clock (if present)?

Take the opportunity…Each year you will receive an annual gas safety check at your property, carried out by the Sanctuary Maintenance Gas Team. These checks are a legal requirement. Please ensure our teams can gain access to complete these checks and help to spread the message around ‘gas safety’ across our region.

Our qualified Gas Engineers (Gas Safe Registered) have a wealth of experience and knowledge, so if you have any questions about how your heating or hot water sys-tem operates or are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency in your home, then just ask our engineer who will be happy to help.

If you have completed the key checks and your hot water or heating are still not working, please call us on 0800 916 1525 (from a landline) or 0300 123 3561 (from a mobile).

Key checks to stay warm this winterAs we move through the winter months, your local Gas team is set to react to any heating or hot water system problems which you may experience. To help us help you, please ensure you carry out some basic checks before you ring our call centre.Carrying out these checks will rule out any simple fixes and provide us with the information we need to help solve the issue. Your help is really appreciated.

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Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and offenders will be prosecuted.

Fly-tippers could face a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.

We need your help to stop fly-tippers in their tracks. Tell us if you spot suspicious behaviour by calling

0800 131 3348 or 0300 123 3511.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

HATE FLY-TIPPING

Why do we ask you for personal information?On occasion, we may ask you for information

about yourself such as your ethnicity, religion,

gender, whether you have a disability and

about your sexual orientation.

It may seem strange that we ask you such

personal questions, but we do this so we can

ensure that we are not discriminating against

one particular group and so we can ensure we

are offering you all available support.

An example of this has been when we have

provided a translator or ensured that a meet-

ing is held in a room that is accessible to people

who have mobility problems.

You do not have to give us this information, but

if you do, you are helping us ensure our services

are fair for all. Your personal information is kept

securely on our systems and cannot be shared

without your consent.

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Banbury residents young and old have marked Halloween with two community parties jam-packed with exciting activities for everyone to enjoy. ‘The Great Grimsbury’, a party organised by Grimsbury Community Association for nearby sheltered housing residents, saw the local OYAP youth action team running cupcake decorating, while Banbury Rotary provided entertainment in the form of games, music and singing.  In Bretch Hill, a party was held at The Hill Community Centre for children from local primary and secondary schools. Activities included crafts, food, storytelling, music and a whole host of games.  Kate Winstanley, Sanctuary’s Neighbourhood Partnership Manager, said: “We always look to invest in community-led events such as these which address the needs of our customers. Halloween can be quite intimidating for some people, particularly those who are older or who live on their own. “ The Great Grimsbury event was a great alternative option and really helped prevent people from feeling isolated and brought the community together.  “The school pupils also really enjoyed their party, allowing them to take part in some fun activities with their friends.”

Halloween in Banbury

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Coffee under the WillowResidents at Willow Chase, in Sheffield, enjoyed their third annual coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, all thanks to their residents’ association.

Jacqueline, Ann, Elizabeth, John and their fellow residents, enjoyed cakes, a raffle and meeting up for a chat with their neighbours, friends and relatives.

The event was held on the lovely lawned area outside the aparments, under the Willow tree. This is where the residents’ association runs all of their garden parties, including one in aid of the local childrens’ hospice during the summer.

The coffee morning raised a grand total of £163. Well done to all involved!

Residents’ young and old enjoying the Halloween festivities

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ROUND YOUR WAYRunning for over twenty years, the Witney Model

and Collectors Club has grown into one of the largest in

Oxfordshire, with a membership more than forty covering

a wide variety of modellers and collectors. 

Sanctuary residents Tony Martin and Roger Brown

are keen collectors and members of the club. Tony

recently got in touch to tell us more. 

“We meet the first Tuesday of the month in St Mary’s

Church, Witney. Roger collects Airfix model aircraft

and I am a collector of die-cast lorries, including Eddie

Stobart. Our club goes to many shows and rallies

showing our collections. 

“We have just had our annual show with 30 exhibits,

including aircraft, boats, cars, trains and fairgrounds.” 

If you live in the Witney area and would like to find out

more, visit the clubs website www.wmcc.info.

Dates for your diaryHave you got anything planned for these up-coming dates?

JanuaryAll month Dry January1 New Years’ Day9-15 National Obesity Awareness Week25 Burns Night

February3 Wear it, Beat it – British Heart

Foundation6 National Libraries Day14 Valentine’s Day17 Random Act of Kindness Day28 Pancake Day

MarchAll month Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal1 St David’s Day2 World Book Day3-9 Endometriosis Awareness Week8 National No Smoking Day10-12 Disabled Access Day13-17 Apprenticeships Week17 St Patricks Day24 Red Nose Day26 Mothering Sunday

Send us your stories and photos by emailinghousing.communications@sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Witney Model and Collectors Club

Take your digital journey with Sanctuary OnlineHave you ever wanted to learn to use a computer? Interested in finding out how to get online and surf the internet?

Sanctuary has teamed up with training provider We Are Digital to deliver Sanctuary Online: helping you connect, an exciting programme of skills sessions, to hundreds of our residents in Chester and Rochford initially, before being rolled-out at selected locations across the country.

The sessions are underway and show you how to do your banking and shopping, manage your benefits online, apply for jobs, chat to friends and keep up-to-date with the latest news.

To find out where your nearest course is being held and to reserve a place, call 03333 442 561, text ‘Sanctuary’ to 07537 416 944 or email sanctuary@we-are-digital.co.uk

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Delivered in partnership with

Tenancy SupportHelping you to manage your tenancy and live independently

Our Tenancy Support Officers provide advice, information and support with:

• Maintaining your tenancy• Managing your finances• Managing your health• Accessing other services

• Referral to our income adviser service

• Accessing education, training and employment

If you need advice and assistance or for more information call us on 0800131 3348 (landline) or 0300 123 3511 (mobile).

Please respect our staffViolent or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Sanctuary staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. They should be able to do their jobs without being physically or verbally abused.

Most of our residents respect this. Thank you for being one of them.

Sanctuary365, supports people to remain independent in the comfort of their own home using a range of affordable and discreet sensors.

Last month alone, we provided reassurance and emergency support to over 6,000 people both in Sanctuary properties, and the wider community.

With over 30 years of experience, our friendly and professional team are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide our customers with the help they need as quickly as possible.

We have a selection of sensors that could support you, your family members or friends throughout the winter period:

• A personal pendan t or fall detec-tor which will alert our monitoring team if you fall or need some help

• A t emperature sensor which will notify us if the temperature of your house becomes too cold

• A car bon monoxide detector which we can use to identify any gas leaks from your boiler

• O ther sensors include bogus caller alarms for the front door, and smoke, heat and flood detectors.

 We are currently offering an exclusive discount to those living in a Sanctuary property, and their family and friends living in the Cheshire, Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire regions.

Those who take up the offer by 31 March 2017 will receive free installation, plus two months of free monitoring, worth over £75.

Customers will receive their own alarm unit, which connects directly to the Sanctuary365 team, and a package of sensors tailored to their personal needs and preferences.

To take up the offer, quote ‘Housing365’ on enquiry.

The offer is inclusive of an individual assessment to identify what sensors are most appropriate for you, installation by one of our local Installers, sensor monitoring, and on-going maintenance, testing and reviews.

We are dedicated to providing a reliable and professional service, supporting you and your loved ones for as little as 57p a day.

Reassurance and support 24 hours a day

Reassurance and support 24 hours a day

30OVER

YEARS

EXPERIENCE

Recognised by the Telecare Services Association

For more information and a free demonstration, please call:

0330 123 3 365 or email: 365enquiries@sanctuary-housing.co.ukwww.sanctuary365.co.uk

Sanctuary365 is a trading name of Sanctuary Home Care Limited, an exempt charity

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STAY WELL THIS WINTERDon’t put off the flu vaccination – it’s free because you need it!

Cold weather can be very harmful, especially for people aged 65 or older: it weakens the immune system, increases blood pressure, thickens the blood and lowers body temperature, increasing risks of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.

Flu vaccination is part of the Stay Well This Winter campaign, a joint initiative from NHS England and Public Health England, to help the public ward off common winter illnesses.

Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination. If you’re eligible get it now.

Getting vaccinated is particularly important for those who are at increased risk from the effects of flu. These include people aged 65+, pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions. Check if you are eligible for a free flu vaccination online at www.nhs.uk/staywell

Top tips for staying well this winter:

• If you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious, get help from your pharmacist. The sooner you get advice the better – pharmacists are here to help you stay well this winter.

• If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or other medication, don’t forget to pick up your prescription before the Christmas holidays start. Many GPs and pharmacies will close over the holidays.

• If you do need help over the holiday period when your GP surgery or pharmacy is closed, call NHS 111 or visit www.nhs.uk who can direct you to a local service that is open.

• It is important to keep warm in winter, both inside and outdoors, as it can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F), if you can, you might prefer your living room to be slightly warmer.

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Sanctuary Housing Services Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.

Sanctuary Housing Write to us: Hindle House, Trinity Way, Adderbury, Banbury OX17 3DZ Call us: 0800 131 3348 (landline) or 0300 123 3511 (mobile)Email us: contactus@sanctuary-housing.co.uk

This newsletter can be translated into other languages, large print and Braille or recorded on to an audio CD. Please contact your local office for details.

Sanctuary Housing Services Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Sanctuary Housing@HelloSanctuary

QUIZ OF THE YEARHow many of these 12 questions themed around 2016 can you answer?

1. Actor Alan Rickman sadly passed away in January this year, but what character did he famously play in the Harry Potter series of films?

2. What is the name of the film that won the Oscar for Best Picture in February this year?

3. Which date in March is St Patrick’s Day?

4. England footballer Joe Hart celebrates his

birthday in April. Which position does he play in?

5. On 27 May 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge officially opened. In which city would you find this?

6. 21 June is the longest day in terms of daylight. Which Wiltshire landmark do crowds gather at, for sunrise?

7. In July, Canadian rapper Drake had his first UK Number 1 song which spent 15 consecutive weeks at the top spot on the Official Singles Chart. What was the song called?

8. How many medals did Team GB win at this year’s Rio Olympic Games?

9. September is officially the start of autumn. What is autumn known as in the USA?

10. Halloween takes place on which date in October?

11. What is the next line?: “Remember, remember, the 5th of November...”

12. If you were born in the first week of December, what star sign would you be?

Send your quiz answers along with your name and address to the Housing Communications Team, Sanctuary House, Chamber Court, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3ZQ. alternatively email housing.communications@sanctuary-housing.co.ukThe first correct entry to be drawn out of the hat will win a £20 voucher. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 28 February 2017.

WIN£20 worth of Love2shop vouchers