During the last 3 years I have been involved in Focus Groups and Tenant Involvement Groups (SIG’s) with Wolverhampton Homes. It all started when they were reviewing Choice Based Lettings/ Homes in the City. I was very interested in the activity and requested to take part in future opportunities.

On Wednesday 25th January 2012 I attended a Special Interest Group (SIG) for Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) within Wolverhampton. Present were Nigel Homer (Area Manager), Louise Ward (Tenant Participation Officer) and 9 tenants from across the city who have expressed an interest in ASB and possible ways of controlling that “crime”.

The discussion was about an upcoming cross city consultation surrounding how ASB is managed. At present in Wolverhampton there are several organisations who deal with ASB - Wolverhampton Homes, West Midlands Police, and Wolverhampton City Council.

One of the questions posed to the group was if ASB management should be operated by a dedicated team instead of having three different organisations manage it, or if it would be better to keep it as it is. The group’s opinion was that it would be best to create a dedicated team as this would bring many benefits.

The opinions of the attendees from this meeting will be forwarded within a report from the Tenant Participation team to the board and the consultation process will continue. There was no definate indication as to what the outcome will be and no indication as to how soon this change would take place.

What is Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)?

You may ask yourself what Anti Social Behaviour is. Well, it is defined as behaviour which can include that following:

• Abusive or noisy neighbours in what is normally a queit neighbourhood.
• Night time noise in properties or the surrounding gardens during the hours of 11pm – 7am
• Threatening, yobbish behaviour
• Fly-tipping
• Graffiti…. just to name a few.

Anti Social Behaviour doesnt just make living your day to day live unpleasent it ruins lives and can make an area feel unsafe and in some cases unwelcome to visitors.

Further information on ASB can be found on Wolverhampton Homes website at this link.

Who can I report ASB to?

If you are a tenant of Wolverhampton Homes and are victim to Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) you can report this to Wolverhampton Homes on 01902 556789 or the out of hours ASB team if the activity happens outside of office hours on 01902 558901. You can also report it by visiting your Wolverhampton Homes One Stop Shop at the enquiry desk and requesting to speak in a private room. Of course, if it is an emergancy then dont hesitate call 999.

You dont need to know if the housing status of the offender of the ASB. By housing status this means if they are a Wolverhampton Homes Tenant, Private tenant or owner occupier of a property.

If you are not a Wolverhampton Homes tenant but a private tenant you can report the matter of ASB to your landlord’s Estate Agent (if you have one) or to West Midlands Police on 0345 113 5000 or the NEW non emergancy hotline 101.

Stop Hate in Wolverhampton

Also discussed at the meeting was the launch of “Stop Hate in Wolverhampton” campaign which launched on 24th January 2012. For more information please see our article.

How do I get involved?

To get involved  in these “Focus Groups” and Special Interest Groups (SIG’s), simply click here to read more on how you as a resident can get involved and help change specific things which matter to you and your community.

I have been involved in various SIG’s and Focus Groups across the 3 years and enjoy every one that much that I ask the Tenant Participation Team for more ways to get involved and I have looked at applying to be on the Review Panel and also the Tenant Board 2012. For me, my community matters.

Wolverhampton Homes, the organisation responsible for managing 23,500 properties across the city are holding a series of events to give residents the opportunity to have their say on proposals to increase rent and service charges.

Get involved and:

• Share your views
• Contribute your ideas
• Find out more information about the proposals
• Meet other tenants

The events will be held on:

• Tuesday 13 December, 3.30pm – 4.30pm at Low Hill Community Centre
• Wednesday 14 December, 11am – 12pm at Heath Town Community Centre
• Wednesday 14 December, 6.15pm – 7.15pm at One Stop Shop, Market Street, Wolverhampton City Centre
• Thursday 15 December, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, at St Chads Community Centre, Bilston

If you would like to take part in any of the events listed above please call the Tenant Participation team on 01902 556789. There will be refreshments available and transport can be arranged if required.

Young tenants in Wolverhampton can find out about money management at a free Get Together on Thursday 28 July organised by Wolverhampton Homes.

The theme of the event is ‘Saving Money, Money Matters’ to give the 16-30-year-olds the opportunity to discuss money issues.

The event will also help young people further enhance their budgeting skills so they can become responsible tenants in the future.

The Arms Length Management Organisation, which looks after Wolverhampton City Council’s housing, will have staff on hand to answer money queries and give out advice on managing cash flow.

The Get Together for young tenants will be held at 6pm to 8.15pm at the Britannia Hotel, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DD.

A buffet will be provided along with an on-site child care facility.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “Times are tough at the moment, especially for young people, so this event offers a great opportunity for them to find out more about managing their money, pick up free advice and chat with staff.”

This Get Together for young tenants follows a successful series of Get Togethers over the past two years, which has seen more than 1000 tenants share their views on how housing services could be improved.

Lesley Roberts, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton, will also be attending to hear young tenants’ views.

“Young tenants face a wide range of challenges and it’s our job to make sure we support them in every way we can, from offering financial support – at events like this – to helping them to find housing in the City.

“Money issues regularly top the list of enquiries from our young tenants and I look forward to hearing how I can help them more.”

Any tenants who would like to attend should call 01902 556789 and ask to speak to the Tenant Involvement Team.

Every three months Wolverhampton Homes walks around estates and neighbourhoods with residents and other interested parties – e.g. local councillors, Wolverhampton City Council representatives, Neighbourhood Wardens and the Police – to identify any issues that affect the estate’s appearance.

These might include: Untidy gardens, Abandoned vehicles, Litter or Vandalism

The aim of an estate inspection (or evaluation) is for residents to work with Wolverhampton Homes to improve their neighbourhood. Suggestions (e.g. security lighting, car parking or gating) can be made by participants to help improve the appearance of their area.

Why should I get involved?

By taking part, you will have the opportunity to give your opinions and ideas on how to make your neighbourhood a better place to live. You will also be able to see the improvements taking place as a result of your involvement.

How do I get involved?

If you want to take part in an estate inspection, or find out more, please contact Homes Direct on 01902 556789, or visit your One Stop Shop.

You can find the dates for inspections in Wednesfield (which are split into groups of streets) here and more information on inspections here.

This week Wolverhampton Homes will be running a Money Smart Week at their One Stop Shops across the city.

During this time, the Money Smart Team will be on hand all day to provide advice and help with tackling debt, managing bills, setting up direct debits and much more.

Do you need help with money matters? Want to give your finances a spring-clean?

If so call Homes Direct on 01902 556 789 for more information about the Wednesfield event which takes place on Thursday 17th February.

Sue Roberts, Chair of Wolverhampton Homes, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to social housing.

A Wolverhampton council tenant since 1976, Sue has been a Wolverhampton Homes board member since its inception in 2005 and was elected to Chair in 2008. In June 2010, she also became vice Chair of the National Federation of ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations).

A passionate tenant activist, Sue, 58, has been involved in tenant consultation and participation for over a decade. Prior to becoming a tenant board member, she was a member of the Tenants’ Federation and is secretary of Brooklands Tenants and Residents Association.

Sue, who lives on Barnfield Road, Deansfield estate, says: “My motivation for what I do has always been rooted in my own experiences as a tenant. Initially, I got involved simply to help my fellow tenants.

“I distinctly remember one occasion when an elderly neighbour had gone for an entire weekend without heating during the winter because she ‘didn’t want to trouble anyone.’ It was then that I realised the need to act as an ambassador for other tenants and give them a voice.”

Talking of receiving the award, she adds: “This is a great honour and I’m extremely proud. I would like to dedicate it to all the tenants and staff who have contributed to the continued evolution of Wolverhampton Homes.

“We’ve come through a lot as organisation over the past five years but together we’ve have significantly raised the standard of services for tenants, increased tenant involvement and have improved more than 14,000 homes in the city through the Decent Homes programme.

“I would like to thank my family, my husband Trevor and my sons Ryan and Ben. Without their help and support I would not have been able to do what I have done.”

Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes, Lesley Roberts said: “I’m thrilled that Sue has been given this well deserved accolade. She really is one of a kind and puts her heart and soul into everything she does for the Wolverhampton community.

“Her unwavering drive and commitment to tenant empowerment has made a real difference to so many local people’s lives, and seen tenants’ satisfaction with their homes and services improve dramatically. I can’t think of a more deserving person.”

Source: Wolverhampton Homes

The next Ashmore Park PACT meeting takes place at Ashmore Park Community Centre at 7pm on Tuesday 5th October.

The Ashmore Park Residents meeting takes place at Ashmore Park Community Centre at 7pm on Wednesday 6th October.

On Saturday June 12th the staff at Abbeyfield House in Wednesfield are opening their doors so that the local community can have a look around at the house and see the type of accommodation that is available for people over 55.

The event takes place at Abbeyfield House, Duke Street, Wednesfield,WV11 1TG from 10:30am to 3:30pm and you are invited to call in and speak to the house manager and enjoy free refreshments!

Staff are also looking for people to train as volunteers to work within the organisation – so please speak to somebody on Saturday if you are interested in volunteering.

Local residents are being invited to the Annual Wednesfield Cluster Fete on Saturday 12 June 2010 at King George’s Fields from 12pm – 4pm.

The fete will be a celebration of the partnership of the Wednesfield Tenants and Residents Associations in Hickman, Tithe Road, Ashmore Park and Moathouse and is supported by Wolverhampton Homes.

Activities taking place on the day  include  live music, cheerleaders, a dance group, keep fit demonstrations, face painting, along with fairground rides and refreshments.

Photo by Ray Amos

The Guest of Honour will be boxer Steve Saville, the Wednesfield Bomber. After an impressive professional career, stretching over 11 years, Saville continues to reign as Midlands Lightweight champion.

Fete organiser Kathy Allen said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to the cluster fete and join in the day of fun at King George’s Fields.”

“We’ve arranged rides for children, face painting and it’s a fun day out for the all family.”

“It’s a good chance for all the community to come together and enjoy the live music, dancing and to meet boxing legend Steve Saville.”

There will also be an opportunity to win prizes donated by local businesses with a tombola and raffle draw. The money collected will help go towards funding next year’s fete.

People who live in Heath Town are being given an opportunity to improve their area with more than £500,000 for community facilities.

In 2008, Wolverhampton City Council decided to transfer management of Heath Town from the Heath Town Estate Management Board, a Tenant Management Organisation, to Wolverhampton Homes.

The former Tenant Management Organisation had £559,216 in reserve which is now going to be spent benefiting residents on the estate.

Now people who live in Heath Town are being called on to have their say about how the money should be spent.

Mark Henderson, Director of Housing at Wolverhampton Homes, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Heath Town. If used wisely, it can make a difference to people’s lives for many years to come and it’s only right that the reserves of the former EMB are spent on the estate.

“We’ll be looking at the things tenants and leaseholders have already told us they want and asking for more ideas before it will go to a vote later in the year.

“I’d urge everyone to come along to our ideas events, tell us what you want and play your part in making history for Heath Town.”

A series of consultation events will be held from 1 June-11 June. The drop-in sessions to share ideas are being held in the precinct, at the ball court, at each of the high rise blocks, and the Heath Town Community Centre.

Some of the ideas already suggested include improving security through CCTV, lighting on the sports pitch, setting up a community garden and improving play areas.

For more information call Evelyn Brown, Tenant Participation Officer on 01902 556789.

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