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Newsletter for Melville Housing Association Tenants Issue 46 Spring 2020

VO I C E

Rents rise by 1.5% - Page 2

Stay safe says Barbara - Page 3

Ann will be sadly missed - Page 3

Get growing to help you through

lockdown - Page 4

Growing without a garden -

Page 5

Ł100 first prize for best garden -

Page 5

Keeping your energy costs down -

Page 6

Wash your hands of scammers -

Page 6

Look after yourself - Page 6

Advice for pet owners - Page 7

Coronavirus and benefits - Page 8

In debt? Know your options -

Page 9

Free community ecar use -

0

Penicuik group step up to

challenge - Page 10

Give ecars a try - Page 11

Cars rack up green miles -

Page 11

Meet the housing team - Page 12

Coronavirus and Melville -

your questions answered - Page 14

Over to you - Page 16

What you told us - Page 16

Cheap, quick and healthy meals -

Page 18

The jokes on you - Page 19

Prize time - Page 19

News in brief - Page 20

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2 Voice Newsletter | Melville Housing Association

Back in January (which now seems an awfully long time ago) the decision was made to raise rents by 1.5%, or roughly £1.28 aweek, from the start of April.

We are, of course, aware that a great deal has changed since then however rent increases are a necessary part of our long-term planning to allow us to continue delivering the same level of service and to continue modernising, no matter what thefuture holds.

Reviewing rents every year means that we can be better prepared for unforeseen events such as coronavirus, ensuring thatwe’re here to continue providing homes and services come what may.

So what did you tell us in the rent consultation? Well, the good news is that plenty of you let us know what you think. In factwe received a record number of replies – 164! A third of these responses came in writing or over the phone, with the restcompleted digitally. Thanks to everyone who passed on their views.

Of the 164 replies that came back:

Rents rise by 1.5% as consultation sees record response

£1.28a week

75%said they thinkMelville’s currentrent and servicecharges are

affordable (up from64% last year)

76%were happy withthe services theyreceive from

Melville (only 9%were unhappy)

57%of those

that repliedreceived

no governmenthelp topay rent

55% were in favour ofincreasing rents byat least 2% (thesame as last year)

45%were against anyincrease at all

As a result of the feedback, Melville’s Board made thedecision to put rents up by 1.5% from 1 April 2020.

Would you consider suspending rentpayments because of coronavirus?

Unfortunately we can't afford to do that. We don't receiveany funding from the government to run the business andare wholly reliant on rents to keep operating. Suspendingrent payments, even for a short period, would have aserious financial impact on the organisation.

What help do you offer for peoplestruggling to make ends meet?

If you’re struggling with your rent, for whatever reason,please get in touch and let us know. The worst thing youcan do is ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Itwon’t. We have two welfare benefits advisers and employ acompany called CHAI to help if you’re having issues withmoney. We can also help if your energy bills are too high.Your housing officer can refer you to environmental charityChangeworks. Their affordable warmth advisor can help youfind the best energy deals, make the most of your heatingsystem and take control of your gas, electricity and foodcosts.

Why should I pay more rent for otherpeople to get new housing?

Rent paid by existing tenants is used to pay forimprovements to existing homes, it’s not used to pay fornew homes. To pay for new homes we get grants from thegovernment and borrow money from the banks. These loansare paid back using the rent money that comes in from thetenants in the new homes, not from those in existingMelville properties.

Why are your rents more expensive thancouncil rents?

It’s true that our rents are higher than those charged bycouncils. This is because when Melville was set up in the1990s we had to borrow money to buy the properties wenow own and we’ve had to pay this money back over theyears. However in recent years we’ve worked hard to keeprent increases as low as possible (generally around theinflation rate) while council rents have mostly been goingup by quite a bit more than inflation. This means that thegap between our rents and those charged by councils isclosing.

Increase of roughly

Issue 46 |Spring 2020

VO I C E

My name’s Barbara and this monthit’s my turn to give an update on thework of Melville’s tenant rep group. I’velived in my house in Mayfield forabout 15 years now and I like to getinvolved in Melville’s work as much asI can. As well as serving as a tenant repI also sit on Melville’s Board. I’vealways found Melville to be a goodlandlord who do their best even whentimes are tough…

Which brings me on to recent events. Like most other people, I can’tbelieve how quickly things have unfolded since we first heard aboutcoronavirus, it’s been a crazy few months. I know lots of peoplearound me who are really struggling, some because of money orhealth problems, others because of loneliness and isolation but inthe face of all these obstacles, it’s been great to see neighbours helpingeach other out and supporting the people who need it most. There areso many fabulous examples of communities pulling together, itreally is humbling.

Before coronavirus, if you can remember back then, we had our lasttenant rep meeting (and it might be the last for a while). We metin January to hear about proposals for rents for the coming yearand the priority areas for investment. Unfortunately events havenow overtaken us. Like other businesses, locally and around thecountry, Melville’s services have been badly affected by everythingthat’s going on but I’m sure they’ll be fully open again as soon asthey can. This year’s home improvement programme has,understandably, been suspended until things get back to normal.It’s such a shame that people will have to wait for new kitchens,bathrooms and heating systems but it’s more important thateveryone is healthy and safe and I would urge anyone reading thisto follow the rules on self-isolating. It’s for the good of everyone.

Well, this column has been a bit different from normal. Sorryabout that. We hope to have a virtual tenant rep meeting in thenext month or so and then return to normal after the summer(all being well). Hopefully by the next issue of Voice we’ll beable to go back to telling you about good stuff like electriccars, carpet tiles and free paint! In the meantime stay safeand thanks for reading.

‘Stay safe’ says tenant rep Barbara

Area Tenant rep

Gorebridge, Newtongrange Position vacant

Penicuik, Bilston, Loanhead Position vacant

Bonnyrigg, Poltonhall, Rosewell Andrew Hiddleston, Liz Coyle and Petrina Ford

Mayfield, Pathhead Diane Gamrot and Barbara Shearer

Easthouses Cathy Hanlan

Dalkeith Frank Kelly and Eileen McLaren

Danderhall Position vacant

Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, East Lothian Position vacant

Fancy becoming a rep and getting £20 for every meeting you come to?

Email [email protected] or call 0131 561 6466.

Ann will be sadly missed

We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent death of one of our longest servingtenant reps, Ann Hazard.

Ann, who’d been a member of the group since 2016, had been a Melville tenant inMayfield for over 20 years and it was only in January that she and her husband Petercompleted an exchange to a Midlothian Council house, that better met their needs.

Ann was an enthusiastic and forthright member of the group, who rarely missed ameeting. She was never shy about letting us know her thoughts about our performance orany local issues and had a wicked sense of humour. She’ll be sorely missed by us all.


Get growing to help you through lockdown

During the coronavirus lockdown we may not be able to do all the outdoor activities that we would normallybut one thing we can do is get out and about in the garden, if we’re lucky enough to have one. Experiencedgardeners don’t need to be told this but if you’ve always found your garden a bit scary or you’ve not knownwhere to begin, then there’s never been a better time to give it a go.

Gardening is a great activity to boost your mental health and help keep you fit and active. It’s also perfect for keeping kids occupied.Involving your children in the garden is more than just a way to spend time having fun, it’s also a very healthy way to build up immunityand teach them about nature.

First, a note of caution, while it’s okay to get short bursts of fresh air in a communal garden, you shouldn’t spend a lot of time in themduring lockdown because of social distancing rules.

• Weeds and weeding

Now is the perfect time to hoik them out. Soft, moist soil makespulling them up very easy. Manual weeding is best for your garden,since it avoids nasty chemicals and herbicides. For the best result,pull out the entire root system.

• Looking after your lawn

Spring is also the best season to renew and re-seed your lawn.Remove weeds and any moss you can with a rake or scarifier. Thensow new grass seed and add fertilizer. It’s not normally a problemin Scotland but make sure to keep the seeds and young grass shootswell watered.

• What to do with garden waste

One challenge in the current situation is what to do with your grass

cuttings, weeds and other garden waste. By now almost all brownbin services have been suspended and you can’t take them to yourlocal recycling centre.

If you have the space, the best option is to make your owncompost heap so you can reuse the trimmings in future years butdo make sure you turn compost regularly to let air in.

Otherwise, keep filling your brown bin as normal and hold on togarden waste until recycling collections start up again.

• Buying plants and seeds

With almost all garden centres and nurseries currently closed it’snot as easy to buy new plants for your garden this spring,however you should still be able to buy some plants and seedsin your local supermarket or you can try shopping online andhave them delivered.

4 Voice Newsletter | Melville Housing Association Issue 46 |Spring 2020

Growing without a garden

VO I C E

£100 first prize for best garden

£100 first prize£25 runner up prize£50 prize for best use of small spaceAt this time, more than ever, we all need a bit of beauty and colour to cheer us upand get us through these difficult days. We’re desperate for you to share with us thework you’ve put into your plants, whether they’re in beds in your garden, in hangingbaskets on your walls or in pots on your windowsills. We want to see all your green-fingered efforts!

While we’re all stuck at home this year is the perfect opportunity to enter our GreatGardens competition, whether you have your own garden or not because as well asthe £100 first prize, we’ve also got a prize for the best use of a small space. This mightbe a balcony, a patio or simply hanging baskets at your front or back door.

To enter simply send an email to [email protected] (or phone 0131 561 6466)and then, depending on how long lockdown lasts, we’ll either come round and judgeas normal or we’ll get in touch for photos.

You have until Friday 31 July to let us know you’d like to enter. Judging will take placein August and winners will be announced at our Annual General Meeting inSeptember.

The Baxter Keiller Prize, named in honour of a keen Melville gardener who sadlypassed away in 2014, is awarded each year to Melville’s finest garden and last yearwas won by Mr Robert Collins of Laurie Drive, Penicuik.

Even if you don’t have a garden there areplenty of things you can grow indoors or, ifyou’re able, in hanging baskets or windowboxes. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Sunshine. Most fruiting and floweringplants need a full day (6 to 8 hours) ofsunlight. You should be able to get this ina hanging basket or on a balcony. If youare gardening on a windowsill, you mightwant to think about choosing plants thatcan get by with less sunlight, like saladgreens and some herbs.

2. Water. Plants in containers need a lotof water, often several times a day. Youwant to be sure you choose a spot foryour indoor garden that has access to awater supply. Carrying watering cans upand down stairs can get tedious quickly.

3. Humidity. If you are growing yourplants on an indoor windowsill, you willneed to provide some extra humiditywhen the heat is on. If you see your leafplants sagging and getting brown leaf tips,they’re lacking humidity in the air. Sprayingwith a fine mist will help.

What sort of things are best for growingindoors?

➢ Herbs, as they grow well incontainers. They won’t get as large andbushy as they would outdoors and youmay have to replace them if you harvestfrequently, but it is wonderful to havethem close by when cooking. Some topchoices include mint, chives, parsley,coriander, basil, and thyme.

➢ Salad foods like lettuce and spinach arequick growing, shallow-rooted plants. Theycan grow in less than ideal conditions,providing they get plenty of water.

➢ Tomato plants can get large and heavy,but they grow well in pots. They will do bestin a container that is at least 30 inches indiameter, but you can grow some of thepatio varieties in a hanging basket.

➢ If you like heat, hot peppers growvery well in confinement. Hot peppers dobetter than sweet peppers in containers.

➢ A window box of strawberries is asbeautiful as it is delicious. They will need atleast 6 hours of sun and 12 inches of soil.

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£100 Prize


Household energy bills are likely to rise as millions of us try to makethe best of being stuck indoors for the foreseeable future. But thereare plenty of things you can do to keep your costs under controlduring the lockdown.

• Plugged in electrical appliances, even if they’re not being used, can drain electricity. Don’t leave anything plugged in, or on, that is not being used. Set-top boxes are one of the biggest culprits (a faulty or unused one just sitting there could cost more than £75 a year if left on standby). But you should also watch out for unused fridges and freezers, and desktop computers

• The weather is warming up, which is good news, but did you know that just by turning the thermostat down by 1C you couldsave up to £80 a year

• Make sure you only fill the kettle with the water you need. Kettles eat up about 6% of all the electricity supplied to British homes

• You should also consider switching supplier as the cheapest energy deals have dropped dramatically and are currently 16-18% lower than this time last year

If you need more help keeping your energy bills down contact usand we can refer you to Changeworks.

There are loads of people all over the country doing fantastic thingsto help out during these difficult times. Unfortunately there are alsoplenty of others looking to take advantage. Across the UK there havebeen reports of scammers selling fake masks and testing kits, whileothers claim to be collecting for victims or impersonating healthcareworkers to gain entry to homes. Fraudsters have also been asking formoney upfront for shopping before disappearing.

For advice on scams, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 164 6000. To report a crime call the police on 101.Contact your bank if you think you have been scammed.

Tips on keeping your energy costs down during lockdown

These are incredibly difficult times for everyone,

putting stresses and strains on all of us that we haven’t

experienced before. Beyond the usual stress

management strategies, such as eating healthy meals,

getting plenty of sleep, and meditating, here are some

tips for looking after yourself during the lockdown.

Look after yourself

Wash your hands of coronavirus scammersTo avoid falling victim to scammers, Midlothian Council’sTrading Standards team advise the following:

• Be suspicious if you receive an email, text or WhatsApp message about the coronavirus. Never click on any attachments or links. Their purpose is to trick you into opening malicious attachments or revealing personal or financial information

• Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into donating money and never make donations by cash, gift card or through money transfer agents

• Be vigilant and on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly. Ask to see an ID card. These can be faked so if in doubt phone the company to verify their identity

• If someone turns up at your door, remember, it’s your home. There’s no reason why anyone should ever enter your home against your wishes. Don’t be embarrassed to turn people away

• Never provide any personal data such as your full name, address and date of birth. Scammers can use this information to steal your identity

• Don’t be pressured into making decisions. Take time to ask advice from family and friends

Maintain as much of a routine as you can. Even if you’re stuck at home,try to keep to your regular sleep, school, meal, or work schedule.

Take time out for activities you enjoy. Read a good book, watcha comedy, play a game, make something - whether it’s a newrecipe, a craft, or a piece of art. It doesn’t matter what you do,as long as it stops you from worrying.

Help others (it will make you feel better).

Get more helpIn many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it.Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A good place to start is the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).They provide free support and information and can also direct you to other excellent services.

Contact SAMH at:0344 800 0550 | [email protected] | www.samh.org.ukThe service is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays


VO I C E


Advice for pet owners

Look after yourself

There's a lot of confusing messages out there about coronavirus,even when it comes to caring for your pets. Here’s the latestinformation from the SSPCA.

Can I catch coronavirus from my pet?

Experts don’t believe that humans can catch coronavirus fromanimals, however if an animal is touched by someone with the virusthen there is the potential it could be spread should someone elsecome in to contact with that animal, in the same way as touchingany infected surface. Make sure you use good hygiene practices atall times and especially when handling animals.

If I catch coronavirus, can I still take care of my pet?

If you are displaying symptoms of coronavirus the SSPCA recommendslimiting contact with your pet as you would with another member ofyour household. They suggest you avoid petting, snuggling, sleepingwith, being licked and sharing your food with your pet.

If I'm social distancing, can I still take my dog out for a walk?

While Government guidelines allow one walk a day, you can stillwalk and exercise your dog. Please keep your dog on a lead at alltimes and under total control, sticking to the government’s adviceto avoid close contact with other people. Do not let anyone elsetouch your pet to avoid risk of contamination. If there is more thanone person in your household and none of you are unwell or self-isolating, go for walks separately and take your dog out when eachof you go for your walk.

At other times of the day let the dog out into the garden but ensureit is supervised at all times. If you don’t have a garden, take your dogout as close to your home as possible, allow it to go to the toilet,and then return to your home immediately. Again, keep your dog ona lead to do this.

If I have coronavirus, can I still take my dog for a walk?

If you are showing signs of having coronavirus then you should tryand arrange for someone else to walk your dog. If this is notpossible then try and keep walks to a minimum and try to findtime during the day when there are fewer people around butensure you follow hygiene guidance.

The person walking your dog should limit contact with your pet toavoid spreading the disease and should adhere to strict hygienemeasures. Any dog walking items that you hand over should bewiped down before and after use.

Not exercising dogs at all is very bad for their health.

What if I need to take my pet to the vet for another unrelatedissue?

If you are self-isolating then you should not come in to contactwith anyone in that time. If your pet needs to visit the vet, thenphone for advice and arrange for someone else to take your animalto them if needed, ensuring that hands are washed before and aftercontact and other hygiene measures are in place.

Get outside, if possible. Sunshine and fresh air will do you good. Evena short walk can make you feel better. Just make sure to avoid crowdsand keep your distance from other people.

Find ways to exercise. Staying active will help you release anxiety,relieve stress, and manage your mood. If you can’t get out, look foronline exercise videos. There are many things you can do even withoutequipment, such as yoga and exercises that use your own bodyweight.

Take up a relaxation practice. Regularly practicing deepbreathing, meditation, and yoga can really help, so see if you canset aside even a little time every day.

Be a calming influence. Refer friends and family who areworrying to reliable news sources and positive stories. Being apositive influence in these anxious times can help you feel betterabout your own situation too.

Get more helpIn many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it.Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A good place to start is the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).They provide free support and information and can also direct you to other excellent services.

Contact SAMH at:0344 800 0550 | [email protected] | www.samh.org.ukThe service is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays


Help and advice

Coronavirus and benefits

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest benefits news. To get up-to-date information,including breaking news on benefit changes, visit our website or ‘like’ our Facebook page.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for all of us. In

response to the coronavirus crisis the Government is

making changes to benefits and if you have access to the

internet you can find all about what they’re doing by

searching for the DWP on Facebook or by visiting:

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus

Here’s a run down of some of the changes, and how they couldaffect you:

• It’s now easier to get benefits like Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay

• There’s been a temporary £20 increase in Working Tax Credits and Universal Credit allowances for adults

• The temporary suspension of medical assessments for Capability for work and Personal Independence payments

• The temporary suspension of debt recovery from benefits. However the recovery of benefit advances and direct rent payments to landlords will continue. Remember that once this crisis passes the deductions for debts will restart

• If you have a new baby, you will not be able to register the birth. However, you can still claim Child Benefit. You should also notify DWP of your new baby to make sure any other benefits are reassessed, such as Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit

• One thing that’s not changed is the need to report changes in your circumstances such as a new baby or any cut in the money you have coming in. You’ll also need to tell them if the money you have coming in increases so that you won’t have benefit money mounting up that you’ll have to repay later

• If you’re on Universal Credit you also need to tell them about your Melville rent increase, that came in on 1 April. If you don’t then you’ll have to pay the difference yourself

During lockdown Melville staff are available by phone or email, but not at the office or for home visits.If you need help and advice managing your money pleaseget in touch. Jacquie Mather and AndrewCollinge, Melville’s two dedicated WelfareBenefits Advisers, are available to help allMelville tenants and members of theirhouseholds. Help is also available from independentorganisations such as Citizens Advice.

Andrew [email protected] 561 6482

Jacquie [email protected] 561 6481

Get in touch

Over a million people have made new claims for Universal Credit since the arrival of coronavirus and DWP staffare struggling to cope. Unfortunately, as DWP staff have been moved to deal with the immediate crisis, much ofthe other work they deal with has been placed on hold so you will have to wait longer.

If you need to phone the helpline, please be patient. DWP has as many staff members as possible on phones andworking on claims, but it will take time to get through them all.

If you struggle to confirm your ID put a note on your journal to say you cannot get this completed online.


VO I C E


In debt? Know your options

There may be other debt options available to you, depending on your situation. Melville’s Money Advice service is delivered by Jill Taylorof CHAI. Jill can provide FREE help and advice either at your own home or in our office. Speak to your housing officer to find out more.

Debt Option What it Means How it Works

Pro-Rata PaymentArrangement

Debt Arrangement Scheme

Sequestration(the Scottish word forBankruptcy)

Trust Deed

Refinancing

Our Money Adviser can set up a new paymentplan with reduced payments and request thatfurther interest and charges are stopped.

You would make one payment each monthtowards your debts which would be equallydistributed between your creditors.

Our Money Adviser would apply for this onyour behalf.

All interest, fees and charges would bestopped as soon as your application isaccepted.

You will need to pay £90 or £200 to apply forsequestration and 6 or 12 months afterapplying, your debts will be cleared at nofurther cost to you. This can affect your creditrating and you won’t be able to apply forcertain jobs eg financial services.

You may have to make payments towards thedebts for 48 months, if you are able to do so,and your details would be listed on theregister of insolvencies.

With a Trust Deed, some money from yourmonthly payments will be used to pay theinsolvency practitioner’s fee. This means thatat the end of the 48 month repayment planyou will be free of debt, however not all themoney owed to creditors will have been paid.

Your credit rating and employment prospectscould be affected. Your details would be listedon the register of insolvencies.

You can approach your own lender todiscuss refinancing or another lender if itmakes the repayments more affordable.

To divide your disposable income, pay the majorityto your highest debt and make smaller paymentsto the lower debts.

This arrangement works best with a smaller levelof debt.

A Scottish Government initiative set up to helppeople pay back their debts in a more formal andstructured way, without the threat of furtheraction from their creditors.

It allows you to pay the debts over an extendedperiod. Variable payment options and paymentholidays are also available if your circumstanceschange.

To formally declare yourself insolvent and unableto pay your debt. Some debts are not coveredsuch as court fines, student loans, fraudulentbenefit claims and ongoing child supportpayments.

A voluntary arrangement, you would makeone monthly payment for 48 months whichwould be split between your creditors.At the end of the scheme, all debts arewritten off.

This process is managed by a licencedinsolvency practitioner who will charge afee for their services.

Borrowing more money at a cheaper rate to repaydebts or to pay them over a longer period of time.

This is only possible if you have the income torepay the debt.

If you have debt that you need help with, Melville has a Money Advice service that provides tenants with free, confidential and impartialadvice. The service, which is delivered by Community Help and Advice Initiative (CHAI), can give help and advice in drawing up a budgetsheet to allow you to plan your spending and control your money. It can also provide help negotiating with those to whom you owemoney. Here, we take a look at your options, if you find yourself in debt.


One of the changes we’ve made to assist local communitiesis to make our five electric vehicles FREE to those helping outin response to the coronavirus crisis.

The five fully electric cars, located in Dalkeith, Mayfield,Gorebridge, Penicuik and Bonnyrigg/Eskbank can be used bycommunity groups for things like delivering shopping andpicking up prescriptions for those self-isolating or otherwiseunable to get out themselves during the current period oflockdown. They’re also available for NHS staff and otherhealth workers.

Anyone who would like to use one of the cars for thisinvaluable community work should contact Melville and we’llmake the necessary arrangements. You can get in touch byemailing [email protected] or phoning 0131 654 2733.

Free ecar use to help communities

Inspirational Penicuik group step up to viral challenge

Not all heroes wear capes and during thesechallenging times there are loads of brilliantexamples of people pulling together to easethe burden on local support services. InPenicuik one group that’s stepped up,providing invaluable help is PenicuikResidents Helpers.

The group is the brainchild of 8-year-oldMia Littlefair (pictured left) and her friendElla Gordon, who wanted to know whatthey could do for those around themstruggling to cope with the demands of thecountry-wide lockdown.

With the help of dad Andy and mumRachel, they started distributing flyersaround their local neighbourhood inGlencorse, offering assistance to anyonewho couldn’t get out for shopping, to pickup medicines or to exercise pets. Thanks tosocial media the group quickly grew and injust a few weeks has become a local armyof some 200 volunteers, all eager to helpout. The initial 500 flyers delivered in the

local area soon became 5,500, offering helpto homes all over the town.

“The group started off pretty small,”explained Andy who in normal times worksfor kitchen supplier Howdens. “However itsoon became clear that there are loads ofpeople out there struggling to cope.Requests really started to ramp up once thegovernment issued its stay at homeinstructions. We’re now helping upwards of70 people a week with dog walking provingparticularly popular.”

What’s even more remarkable is that, on topof handing out flyers, shopping, picking upprescriptions and walking dogs, Andy andRachel also have a 5-month-old baby athome to look after!

“We didn’t realise quite how much workwould be involved behind the scenes, making

sure our volunteers had the proper trainingand things like that,” continued Andy. “We’venow teamed up with another local groupcalled Penicuik Ambassadors to share theload and Midlothian Council have also beenreally helpful, providing permission letters incase volunteers are stopped in the street andasked why they’re not at home.

“We can make a real difference in Penicuik.It’s not a big town so a group of severalhundred enthusiastic volunteers can have abig impact. We’re all expecting things to getmuch busier over the coming weeks andmonths as the lockdown really begins to bitebut we’ll be here for anyone who needs us.”

If you live in Penicuik and need some help,or if you’d like to volunteer, you can contactAndy Littlefair on 07946 223 430. You canalso find the group on Facebook.

Other community resilience groups Groups, set up to help the most vulnerable members of the community, are springing up allthe time as local people come together to help those who need it. There are several thatwe’ve been made aware of:

Mayfield and Easthouses Community Resilience Group

Foodbank eligibility - Shopping - Dog walking - Prescriptions - Hot food delivery service(Mon/Weds/Fri between 11.45am and 12.45pm)

Gorebridge Resilience

Shopping - Prescriptions - Telephone support – Food

Anyone needing help in Gorebridge must be signed up with the resilience group. To get helpfrom either of these groups or anywhere in Midlothian:

Call 0131 270 7500 or email [email protected]

You can also find loads of good stuff, including information on the helpyou can get locally at www.kindnessmidlothian.co.uk

Continuing to use E-Car Club vehicles

Now we are in lockdown, everybody should be avoiding non-essential travel for your own safety and the safety of those aroundyou. However as long as government guidance says it’s okay to be out and about for essential errands (such as food shopping,collecting prescriptions and essential medical appointments) then using one of the five electric vehicles should also be fine.

All five cars are thoroughly cleaned every two weeks with anti bacterial cleaning agents, and have much less exposure to germsthan public transport (although you might want to wipe down surfaces before and after use). If using one of the vehicles pleasemake a special effort to keep them tidy, avoiding leaving things like rubbish, food and tissues in the cars.

10 Voice Newsletter | Melville Housing Association Issue 46 |Spring 2020

Margaret urges everyone to give ecars a try

Before coronavirus struck, we’d been pleased with the steady increase in the use of our five electric cars, made possible thanks to fundingfrom Transport Scotland’s Plugged-in Households programme and delivered by Energy Saving Trust. Since we launched at the end ofOctober we’ve seen 317 hours of bookings covering 2,200 miles and heard about the cars being used to pick up messages from the shops,for hospital appointments, for trips down to the Borders and even for hill walking in the Highlands. Obviously, some of these trips aren’tpossible at the moment but they will be again once lockdown is over.

It’s free to join and available to everyone, not just Melville tenants. Everyone who signs up will receive two free hours of driving credit,with the usual hire rate discounted to £4. Melville customers will additionally receive 15 free hours driving credit and recharging is freewhen done at one of Melville’s five local charging points.

Melville cars rack up green miles

VO I C E

317hours of

bookings

2,200miles covered

Margaret lives in Mayfield and has been aMelville tenant since 2009. She has adisability which affects her mobility, andwhile she does drive, she doesn’t have a car.

“I’m classed as disabled because of issueswith my joints and my income comes frombenefits. This means I don’t have a lot ofspare cash for things like taxis. The ecars

really came to my rescue at Christmastime. I was invited round to my mum’s inWoodburn for Christmas Day but I couldn’tafford the £25 each way fare that I wasbeing quoted. A friend told me aboutMelville’s car in Mayfield so I went on thewebsite to find out more about it.

“I found the whole process reallystraightforward. Signing up was quick andeasy and making bookings is simple. I wasable to use some of my free hours to get meto Woodburn and celebrate Christmas withmy mum. It was absolutely brilliant! I thinkit’s a really good scheme that everyoneshould try.”

Margaret has gone on to use the Mayfieldcar on a number of other occasions andexpects to use it again once the current

coronavirus lockdown is over.

“I’ve got a compromised immune system soit’s really important I avoid coronavirus if atall possible. It’s a bit of a struggle but I’mcoping so far. I can’t go out but my fiancéecan so I’m not too badly off. Before this allstarted we were planning to take theMelville car to Ikea for new bedroomfurniture but that will have to wait now,however I’m already planning this for whenwe can get out and about again. Withoutthe ecar I’d have no way of getting thefurniture home!”

If you’ve used one of the cars and want tolet us know how you’ve found it, get intouch in the usual ways.


Our housing officers are here to help if you’re having problems with your rent, your neighbours or anything else to do with your tenancy. Following arecent expansion of the team we’ve produced this easy guide so that you can find out who your housing officer is, a little bit about them and how tocontact them when you need to.

Meet the housing team

Jane Burnett Contact details Jane is one of Melville’s longest serving members of staff having joined Scottish Homes in

1993, before the stock transfer to Melville even took place! Jane, who is from Newtongrange,

has worked across all areas of the organisation and joined the housing team in 2013.

I’ve been a housing officer for over 6 years but I’ve worked with

Melville for more than quarter of a century! My focus remains

on providing the best service possible to tenants and I will

always do my best to resolve any tenancy issues you have. I’m

also keen to hear about any local community engagement

groups. I enjoy walking so if you see me out and about around

Penicuik, please pop out and say hello.

[email protected]

0131 561 6479

07776 295 856

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Areas Covered

All of Penicuik

Simon Davies Contact details Simon, who is originally from the north of England, joined

Melville in 2014 and has worked for a number of housing

organisations across the UK.

I have worked in housing for 10 years. I enjoy the variety of

work and how rewarding my job can be. I make a mean

oxtail soup.

[email protected]

0131 561 6476

07776 295 863

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Areas Covered

Bilston, Loanhead, Scottish Borders, Woodburn, Church View and Wester Kippielaw Drive in Dalkeith

And in Mayfield: Ash Grove, Conifer Road, David Scott Avenue, Kippielaw Park, Laurelbank Place, Laurelbank Road and

the Old School estate

Linda Hay Contact details Linda, who is originally from Dunbar in East Lothian, joined Melville

in April 2009.

I have been a housing officer for nearly 14 years, but I joined Melville 11

years ago. I enjoy my job because I love helping people resolve their

problems. Every day is a school day when you're dealing with people.

That’s what makes housing so interesting!

[email protected]

0131 561 6475

07818 509 703

Office Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Areas Covered

Hawthorn Crescent and Langlaw Road in Mayfield

And in Gorebridge: Arnprior Road, Bonnybank Road, Burnside Road, Barleyknowe Lane, Carlowrie Place, Cadwell Walk, Emily Place,

Gore Avenue, Jubilee Crescent, Swan Crescent


VO I C ECaroline Langton Contact details

Caroline, who is Edinburgh born and raised, joined Melville

in the spring of 2014.

I really enjoy working at Melville. We have a great team who

provide a tenant-focussed service to all our customers.

Working in housing is something that I have always wanted

to do and I’m fortunate that I love the work I do. Helping

people is a great way to spend my day.

[email protected]

0131 561 6477

07841 343 698

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Nikki Ross Contact details Nikki is Midlothian born and bred and is Melville's longest-servinghousing officer.

My career in housing has spanned over 20 years, 16 of which havebeen at Melville. I enjoy working with tenants to help themimprove their homes and I’m particularly keen to hear fromanyone who has any ideas or suggestions on how to improve theirneighbourhood.

Areas Covered

Easter Langside, Easthouses

Camp Road, Laburnum Place, Rowantree Road in Mayfield

And in Gorebridge: Barleyknowe Crescent, Barleyknowe Road, Braeside Road South, Hillside Crescent South, Hunter Square,

Juner Place, McLean Place, Newbyres Avenue, New Hunterfield, Parkhill, Wilson Road

Emma Shanks Contact details Emma is Melville's newest housing officer having taken up hernew role at the start of 2020 following an expansion of thehousing team. Emma isn't a stranger to the team though, havinggained invaluable experience over a number of years as Melville'shousing coordinator.

I've always enjoyed the variety of work we do in housing andbecause no two tenants are the same it means that each day isdifferent. I really like meeting new people and working with themto resolve problems and I'm already getting many moreopportunities to do this in my new role. At times it can be achallenging job but it’s also very rewarding.

[email protected]

0131 561 6480

07818 509 702

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Areas Covered

Bonnyrigg, East Lothian, Pathhead, Poltonhall, Rosewell

And in Mayfield: Beechgrove Road, Bogwood Road, Coronation Place, Eskview Road, Holly Bank, Mayfield Place, Myrtle Grove,

Salisbury View, Shaw Place, Sycamore Road

Areas Covered

Danderhall, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire (North and South including Forth), Newtongrange

And in Mayfield: Andrew Dodds Avenue, Bevan Road, Buckie Road, Campwood View, Cook Crescent, Crawlees Crescent,

D’Arcy Road, Dougall Court, Dougall Place, Dougall Road, Hill Place, Keir Hardie Drive, Lawfield Road, Lilac Avenue,

Oak Crescent, Oak Place, Pinewood Place, Pinewood Road, Pinewood View, Robert Smillie Avenue, Ruskin Place,

Westhouses Avenue, Westhouses Drive, Westhouses Road, Westhouses Street

[email protected]

0131 561 6478

07776 295 853

Office Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 10am - 5pm


Coronavirus and Melville - your questions answered

When do you think your office will reopen?At the moment this is impossible to predict. All we can say is that we will reopen as soon as it’s safe to do so and,in the meantime, we will continue to provide as many services remotely as we can.

While Melville is closed, what should I do about my rent?

Tenants must continue to make every effort to pay rent. While the office is closed, Melville staff continue to work andprovide most services as normal.

You can also continue to make payments in most of the usual ways. These include by phone (either directly to us orthrough Allpay), online, by text or by bank transfer using:

Sort Code: 83 06 08Account No: 00712410

Unfortunately, while we’re closed, you won’t be able to make payments at the office however you can continue to makepayments at shops displaying the PayPoint logo.

Would you consider suspending rent payments for a short period?Unfortunately we can't afford to do that. We don't receive any funding from the government to run the business andare wholly reliant on rents to keep operating. Suspending rent payments, even for a short period, would have a seriousfinancial impact on the organisation.

What should I do if I’m struggling to pay my rent?Anyone who is struggling to pay their rent, for whatever reason, should contact their housing officer and we will dowhat we can to help. We also have services and support available. For more information, contact your housing officeron 0131 654 2733 (option 4).

Can I still use Melville’s advice services?Yes. All of our advice services (Welfare benefits, Money advice, Tenancy support etc) remain available but not forface-to-face visits. There is, however, likely to be more pressure on these services than usual so please be patient.You can call us to find out more. Independent advice is also available from organisations such as Citizens AdviceScotland (www.cas.org.uk).

I come into the office regularly to find out the balance of my rentaccount. How can I do this now?There are lots of ways you can check your rent balance. You can phone or send us an email, however with extrapressure on our services the best way of doing this is through the tenant zone on our website. By signing up you’llhave access to your rent account 24/7. Go to our website or give your housing officer a ring to find out more.

These are the answers to the questions Melville staff have been asked most frequently since the start of the coronavirus crisis.


VO I C ECan I still report repairs as normal?Following updated government guidance, our repairs service has now moved to urgent and emergency repairs only.This includes things like:

• A problem with the fabric of the building, for example, a leaking roof• A boiler break down, leaving you without heating or hot water• Plumbing issues that leave you without washing or toilet facilities• Any suspected safety issue with a gas appliance

All urgent and emergency repairs should be reported by phone.

Please hold on to all other repairs and report them once services return to normal.

I’m due a gas service soon. Will that still be carried out?Yes, Saltire will continue to carry out this service.

I’m supposed to be getting a new kitchen shortly. What’s happeningwith home upgrades?All improvement work (covering replacements of things like kitchens, bathrooms, and central heating systems) iscurrently suspended. This work will resume as soon as it’s safe to do so and we’ll publish details of the plannedmaintenance programme once everything is back to normal.

What about reporting problems with my neighbours?This can’t be done in person (either at our office or at your home), but it can still be done by phone, email or online.

Serious issues with your neighbours should always be reported however in these challenging times, and with theschools closed, we would ask that everyone does their best to be a bit more understanding when it comes to minorissues such as noise.

Can you do something if my neighbour isn’t following the lockdownrules?We would urge everybody to follow the rules in order to keep as many people as possible safe and healthy, andto reduce the time we all have to stay in lockdown. Serious breaches can be reported to Police Scotland using the101 number.

More questions?

If you have a question that’s not answered here please visit www.melville.org.uk or call us on 0131 654 2733.

Yes, I think Melville are really good,not just about the price of rent. It'smore outside the box in what theydo, my housing officer has helpedme out with several issues with

threatening neighbours and I reckonthis should get recognised more thanthe value of the rent to the property

that we have, thank you.

I think for the house I stayin rent is ok. A mortgage

would be dearer so all fairfor the moment.

Everything was great.Contacted Melville oneday and collected thecarpet tiles the next

again day.

Over to you…

Number Upheld Average response time (days)

Frontline (stage 1) complaints 15 6 1.3

Investigation (stage 2) complaints 4 2 13

Compliments 6 n/a n/a

Here’s a round up of the feedback, good and bad, you’ve given us over the past few months.

November to February complaints

What you told us

General repairs service (4)

Gas repairs (6)

Staff behaviour (1)

Property standard (1)

Anti social behaviour handling (2)

Kitchen upgrade (2)

Arrears management (1)

Rechargeable repair (1)

Here’s what you complained about


Love being a Melville tenant Iwas with Edinburgh council

before and they were rubbishdidn’t help with anything. Ihighly recommend Melville.

I am very grateful forthe services I receive fromMelville. I feel the wholecompany want to help inevery way, not just with

the tenancy.

The staff at Melville are allfriendly and approachable.

They are thorough in their jobsand very professional too.

Polite on time reallyis fantastic

Maybe take a leaf from MidlothianCouncil’s book. Their services are

much better and repairs overMelville's.

What a great idea Melville. I took the freeoffer and have had ecar out twice so far andlove it great range and so easy to book. Only

thing was car wasn't where it should havebeen but apart from that great service

VO I C ENothing I'm so

overwhelmed with mykitchen now it's so warmas well. I can't thank you

enough!

You do well inhelping people.

Very happy. However,having vinyl tiles toowould be awesome.

Maybe consider taking adeposit on the houses/flats

so the chance off thembeing returned in a decent

state is higher.

All works carried out were doneefficiently and all colleagues thatentered my premises were friendly

and professional. Thoroughly pleased.As this is sublet by Midlothian Council

their hand in making flat totallyliveable and getting the redecorating

process is very bad and non existent tosay the least. Melville 100%

I think there should be ascheme where if you would

like a new bathroom /kitchen you could pay for it

by adding few extra pound totheir rent account. Not

everyone has spare money,and I know I would rather usethe money to buy food that

get a new bathroom.


We were delighted! Couldnever have afforded to do

these rooms withoutthem (carpet tiles). Theyare much appreciated.

It would be helpful to installSolar Panels on the property as it

can help to reduce the cost ofheating the homes. It would also

help to reduce our CarbonFootprint. It is something that Isupport and I think it shows that

you are trying to help all thetenants.

I could have purchased my little flat 2times over for the monthly rent you charge

and customer service is terrible.


Melville are on theball when you areneeding anything

done.


Cheap, quick and healthy meals

Quick and easy chickpea curry

At a time when boosting our health and wellbeing is so important, here are a couple of nutritious, adaptable and easy to follow recipes thatalmost anyone can follow. They both use ingredients that most of us have in the fridge or kitchen cupboards but are flexible enough that ifyou’re missing one or two it shouldn’t matter too much. You could also try getting the kids to help as well as part of home schooling!

A simple but tasty curry, this chickpea dish can be served with whatever you have available in the kitchen from rice, jacket potatoes orhomemade bread. Up the spice levels with more chilli (or not) – but leave some room to experiment with the seasonings you love most.

This recipe is enough for two, but you could double or triple it to stock up the fridge or freezer.

What you’ll need Method

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the thinly chopped onion andcook for 5 minutes over a medium heat

2. Combine the spice mix in a small bowl

3. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, stirring the onion occasionallyas you go

4. Remove the skin from the ginger and garlic and grate them into the pan with the onion. If you’re serving the curry with rice, now’s the time to put it on to cook

5. Add the spice mix to the pan and stir well

6. Pour in the chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, honey or maple syrupand water

7. Add salt and pepper to taste

8. Stir well and bring the pan to the boil

9. Then lower the heat and bubble gently until the chickpeas aretender and the sauce is rich and thick

Serve with a sprinkling of fresh chopped coriander and enjoy!

1 tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed1 tin of chopped tomatoes (or a couple of chopped fresh tomatoes with juice)1 onion, finely chopped2 cloves garlic, grated1/2 tbsp ginger grated1 tbsp maple syrup/honey1 tbsp coconut oilSalt and black pepper

For spice mix:2 tsp garam masala1/2 tsp chilli flakes1/2 tsp ground coriander1/2 tsp cumin1 tsp ground cinnamon1 tsp turmeric

Or you could use a couple of tablespoons of curry powder

Tuna pasta bakeTuna pasta bake is a classic family recipe. Make this easy tuna, sweetcorn and pasta bake in just 30 minutes for a quick meal packed fullof veggies.

A great meal to make if you’ve got a tin of tuna or two in the cupboard, this recipe serves four, but is easy to scale up for larger families.It takes just 30 minutes to make and is just as delicious the next day, hot or cold. Feel free to add other vegetables to this recipe – addspinach to up your iron intake or swap the sweetcorn for your child’s favourite veg instead.

What you’ll need Method

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over a medium heat, then add the mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes, until softened

2. Stir in the sweetcorn, tomatoes and tomato puree and simmerfor a few minutes

3. Meanwhile, stir the pasta into a pan of boiling salted water andcook according to pack instructions, until just tender. Drain, then put it back in the pan. Set the grill to hot

4. Stir the pasta into the sauce, then break the tuna into large flakes and gently mix in. Spoon into the dish. Crush the crispsin the bag and sprinkle them over the top, with the cheese

5. Put the dish on a baking tray and grill for about 5 minutes untilthe cheese has melted and turned golden brown

Serve hot with salad or greens

1tbsp oil1 small red onion, peeled andfinely chopped5 medium-sized mushrooms,chopped150g sweetcorn, canned or frozen400g can chopped tomatoes3 tbsp tomato pure e300g penne pasta185g can of tuna fish in sunfloweroil, drained25g pack of ready salted crisps100g mature Cheddar cheese,grated

A man with no money goes into a bar

and asks the barman for a pint. The barman says

if you can do a trick I’ll give you a free pint, so the man

produces a tiny hamster from his pocket along with a

tiny piano and stool. The hamster flexes his fingers and

starts playing fabulous music. Everyone in the bar is

amazed so the barman gives the man his pint. After he

finishes his pint the man wants another one so the

barman says OK but you need to do another trick. So

he produces a tiny frog from his pocket and sits it

next to the hamster. The hamster plays the music

and the frog sings like an angel! Everyone cheers

and the man gets another pint. A fellow drinker asks

if he can buy the frog for £5000. The man agrees,

takes the money and hands over the frog. “Why would

you do that?” asks the barman. “You could make a

fortune from the duo!” To which the man replies, “Nah!

The hamster’s a ventriloquist.”


VO I C E

I’m on a vegetarian diet now.

The only problem is I can’t find

enough vegetarians to eat!

I’ve just got myself one of those new moonbikes.

It’s great as I can keep fit while onlyexercising once a month. It’s a lunar cycle!

The jokes on you

I went riding at the stables today, I didn’t get

very far.

I was on a clothes horse!

I watched an egg and spoon race,

the egg won because it really scrambled!

Prize time – find Gary for shot at £20

At times like these we all need a good laugh, and we’re very grateful to Melville tenant Joseph Clark and our very own Diane McLean for passingon their latest crackers. If you think you could do better, we’re all ears. Just send your jokes, poems or riddles to [email protected].

Something a bit different this issue to see how closely you’re reading your VoiceLockdown Special. Throughout this issue we’ve hidden nine small cuddly gorillas inhonour of Melville’s unofficial office mascot, Gary. There are none on the front orback pages but there’s one to be found on each double page spread, that’s nine intotal (sorry – the one pictured here doesn’t count!). Some are pretty easy to spot,others are fiendishly tricky. Once you’ve found them all send us an email [email protected] (afraid we can’t take entries by post during lockdown)with a brief description of where all nine are hidden by close of play Friday 12 June,and you’ll be entered into a draw for the chance to win a £20 voucher. Happyspotting!

PRIZE

P RIZE

RRRRIPPP

P

PPPPPPPPPPP

ZZZEZZEEIIIRRRPIRRRRRRRRR Z

RRP RP RRPPP

PP

RRRRRRREEEEE

IIIIIZZZZ

EZEE

£20 Prize

Storehouse thanks Melvillefor donation

Philip Meldrumof the FullGospel Church inDalkeith poppedinto the office inDecember topick up a cheque

for £100 to help the Newbattle Storehouse carryout its vital work providing essential supplies tofamilies in crisis in the Dalkeith area.

“Thank you very much for this kind donation,” saidPhilip. “It will be a big help with the work thatNewbattle Storehouse does.”

The Corn Exchange • 200 High Street • Dalkeith • Midlothian • EH22 1AZ • T: 0131 654 2733 • [email protected] • www.melville.org.uk • Scottish Charity SCO32755

Quarterly prize draw winnerCongratulations to Andrena Ferguson,the winner of our quarterly satisfactionsurvey draw. Andrena (pictured), wholives in Gorebridge, picked up a £50voucher just for replying to oursatisfaction survey text and completinga short online form. Remember, almostall Melville feedback is now donedigitally so to be in with a chance ofwinning make sure you let us knowhow we’re doing after you’ve used anyof our services.

Staff step in to help out In the run up to Christmas Melville staffdonated a fabulous assortment of gifts toWomen’s Aid East and Midlothian, to bedistributed to some of the women theysupport over the festive season.Support Worker Elisa Esposito (picturedcentre) dropped in to pick up the donationsand to say thank you to staff personally. “Ahuge thank you to everyone for the amazinggifts provided. We are immensely touchedand we know that our women and mums willbe too!”

Join us on FacebookJoin our growing Facebook community. Wecurrently have almost 1,400 people following uson Facebook but we’re always keen to find more.By joining us on Facebook you get to hear the latest Melville andcommunity news first, tell us what you think of us, and even enterprize competitions. Visit us at www.facebook.com/melvillehousing.

LIKE US

Difficulty reading Voice?If you have problems reading Voice,we can provide it in large print, as anaudio file or in a language other thanEnglish. Phone Dan on 0131 561 6466or email [email protected]

Melville makes grand donation to Y2KWe were delighted to popdown to Midlothian youthcharity Y2K in February tohand over a £1,000 donation

to help with the fantasticwork done by the wholeteam supporting youngpeople in the local area.

News in Brief

Rent survey winnerWell done to Paul Nelson

(pictured) who won our £50

rent consultation prize draw.

Paul, who lives in Mayfield,

was drawn from the hat at

our January Tenant Rep

meeting. Thanks toeveryone who took part.

Staff undertake Christmasmission

At the back end of last yearMelville took part in RadioForth Cash for Kids MissionChristmas project, workingto prevent local childrenfrom going without atChristmas. Staff workedround the clock, applying for

gifts, picking them up and then sorting and distributing to make

sure dozens of kids across Midlothian woke up to presents on

Christmas Day. Big thanks to all who took part and helped out.

voice - melville.org.uk€¦ · your questions answered - page 14 over to you - page 16 what you...

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