Arches News Winter 2015

ArchesNews Winter 2015
peoplecommunitieshomes

New Homes for
Burngreave

On Friday 23rd October, we held our welcome relief to not only the local
official Open Day for the 16 new properties community, but the 16 families who
on Catherine Street, Burngreave. now have a place they can call home.
These highly efficient homes are a Continued on Page 4

Christmas Closing dates

Our office will close at 12.30pm on:
Thursday 24th December 2015
and will re-open 9.30am on:
Monday 4th January 2016

During the closure we will be operating our
normal ‘Out of Hours’ emergency repairs service.
You should call 0114 2288100 Press option ‘5’.
This should only be used for emergencies.
Our contractors will assess every call and will
only attend if it meets the strict rules of being
an emergency.

Website & arches+

Our new website is now
up and running. The old

one served us well but time
moves on and so must we.
The new website has all the
information you would expect,
so not only can you access all
the usual information like reading
our publications or finding out
about our standards, you can
now access a range of
information never before
available online.

One of two big changes is how
we update the website. We now
have the ability, and the trained
staff, to make changes to the
content immediately so it will
be fresher and even more
up to date.

The other If you do not want to use
major change is
arches+ that’s ok. We are
arches+
not going to stop taking
This is our new online service.
Once you have registered and calls or close the office;
logged in, you will be able to
securely: arches+ is just another

+ Check your rent option to help provide
statement
the kind of service Me5aa0rcdtwhWhoie&wllashr1+ea0nca0lltetnVhidtvocoeutuhcasewhto£e1mi2srns5te,?v1r£–o0toS2tuhigcs5,inhg2en5urtp.uhp,to
+ Pay your rent that is expected
these days.
(coming soon)

+ Order a repair

+ Complete surveys

We see the way in which we
interact with you changing.
Technology is moving on and we
have to keep up. We want to
provide a service that gives you
the chance to do as much as you
can on your own without having
to wait for our office to open.

2

Summer Budget

2015 will go down as a landmark year for all Housing Associations and their
tenants. Since the Government’s summer budget there have been several changes which have altered

how we might operate in the future.

The Government clearly wants Housing Right to Buy for Housing Association tenants
Associations to operate in a more cost effective Although the finer details have not been agreed or
manner. These changes will challenge us to see released, this is one area that is causing us a few
how we can do more, with less resource. It will concerns. Every time we sell a property we have
place pressure on our finances and our funding to replace it with another. The biggest issue we
arrangements, and could affect the relationship face is the average selling price of our properties
with our residents. is much less than it costs to build a new one.

The changes can be summarised as follows: The Government has also suggested there will be
fewer grants available to build social rented
Rent reduction of 1% per year for four years properties. They see the growth area to be homes
from April 2016 to buy rather than rent. By providing fewer grants,
While on the surface this is a good thing for the this means we have to borrow even more money
housing benefit bill and any residents who pay to build houses. In some cases this could mean it
their own rent, for us this is has made a costs us more to build than the property is worth!
massive difference.

Our Business Plan normally budgets for an increase Earthquake
in the rents every year. This change will mean a
loss of income of £2.6million over the four years. These changes have produced an earthquake
We want to re-assure all our residents that we are within the housing sector. There are some
working hard to make sure we can deliver services organisations where voluntary redundancies
despite this huge loss in income. have been offered, some services have been
cut back and others are considering merging.
Reduced Benefit Cap Here we are taking our time to make the right
This currently affects around 130 Arches families. decisions for our residents.
The reduction from a maximum of £23,000 to
£20,000 will mean over £300,000 less in their As we go to print our staff and board, along
pockets every year. This is no small amount and with members of our Residents’ Forum are
will mean they will have to find savings in their lives. working hard to make sure we can deliver the
This may see rising rent arrears, but will definitely services you expect taking into account all
see families having to re-think how they spend these changes.
their money.
We are constantly looking for areas where
Removal of Housing Benefit for 18-21 year olds we can improve. If you have any suggestions
Although this is not due to come into effect until please feel free to let us know by emailing us
around 2017, if this does happen we may have to on [email protected] or
re-consider who we offer tenancies to. call us on 0114 2288100.

Right to Buy We will be keeping our Facebook, Facebook - /archeshousing
Twitter and website up to date Twitter @archeshousing
At the moment the detail on on all current news. Website archeshousing.org.uk
this is yet to be finalised. All we
can say is as soon as we know
something we will let you know.

3

New Homes for Burngreave

Continued from the front cover

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr The event had started earlier Part of the presentation also
Talib Hussain cut the ribbon to in the day at our office with a highlighted the Government’s
bring to a close our latest new presentation of the history of summer budget. These proposals
development. Speaking to a the Burngreave site from which include a reduction in rents
gathering of the local community, the Chair of the Board and the focus moving towards
tenants, residents and partners, Denis Creaghan and Chief home ownership may result in
the Mayor spoke of how pleased Executive Brian Summerson. this being the last rented
he was this new development They explained the particulars properties of their kind we are
was bringing good quality homes of the new £2million scheme able to build. Our article on pages
to Burngreave. He continued with including the costs of the 2 & 3 explain further the changes
a short tour of the homes, light development and the standards the budget produced as well as
refreshments and a few photos. of the new homes. the challenges we now face.

“The Mayor was
pleased this
development was
bringing good
quality homes to
Burngreave”

Paying Rent? - Make Your Life A Little Easier Friday,
Friday,
Paying by Direct Debit takes all All you need is a bank account Friday!
the hassle out of paying rent. which allows you to set one up.
You won’t have to worry about If you are not sure you should Don’t forget our office is now
forgetting to pay, getting through contact your bank first. open to 5pm every Friday.
on the phone or even coming That extra 90mins gives you
into the office. You would also Call or email us or even send a the chance to give us a call,
avoid and the uncomfortable call request from our website and we email us or pop in to discuss
from our income recovery team can set one up in no time. anything you want.
if your rent is not paid.

4

So You Want To Make A Difference?

Photos of the board members from left: Iain Campbell, Denis Creaghan, Kay Dickinson, Anne Hawkins,
Tony Jervis, Shamsa Latif, Brian Thomas, Ken Torres...and you?

We’re looking for another resident to join our team – mean we face some big challenges. The only way
can you be our ideal partner? we can tackle these challenges is with a strong
board with a strong vision.
Can you:
• Listen to other people’s point of view The role of a resident board member brings a vital
• Constructively challenge insight. They can help the other board members
• Give up 3 hours per month understand what it is like to be a resident, and
more importantly what is important to them.

• See the big picture in a small organisation Board membership is voluntary but we do pay out
• Work with others of pocket expenses such as travel and carer costs.
• Help us work through the issues we face We provide refreshments and all the support you
may need to fulfil the role.
to achieve our goals
If you want to find out what it takes or want to
Our board of management needs another resident attend a meeting as an observer, Call Jamie Taylor
member. The recent changes to the housing sector on 0114 2288100 to discuss it further.

Not Goodbye… Just au Revoir

This Christmas we will lose two initially covering a maternity post. beamed ceilings on the 2nd floor
well-loved members of the He was kept on afterwards and of at least one member of
Arches family. Sheila Moakes and working in rents, estate staff who stayed overnight!
Chris Jones both retire to enjoy management,
a well-earned retirement. empty properties She has fond memories of
and lettings. a trip to Bridlington one
They have both contributed a lot summer where coaches
not just to Arches but to social Interesting Fact - were hired to take
housing in general. Chris used to residents, kids and staff
play snooker in to the seaside. She smiled
Chris came to England from our current when she remembers one
Sierra Leone in 1972 and made building when it little lad asking “are we
Bolton his home while studying used to be the there yet Missus?” when
accountancy. He moved to conservative club! they had only just got onto
Sheffield in 1983 and quickly the Sheffield Parkway.
gained a part-time position with Sheila was taken on a temporary
Sheffield Council in the housing basis to cover maternity leave for Throughout the years Sheila has
department rising later to a full- 6 months back in 1991. 24 years covered roles in the architect’s
time senior management officer. later she is one of the oracles of team, then onto the maintenance
the office. team where more recently she
After working for over 17 years has specialised in the planned
with Sheffield he moved to She remembers well the bright work improvements.
Watford to continue his career. red door of the old office on Spital
He didn’t settle and with his love Hill, the ‘trek’ up two flights of Both Chris and Sheila were 5
for Sheffield too much, he stairs up to the 1st floor reception always ready with a smile and
returned in 2002. Taking a job area. She also remembers the we really are going to miss
with Arches Chris found himself massive room with very high these two.

Good Housekeeping

It’s that time of the year when your home will come under the most pressure.

The heating and electrics will take a battering over the winter months, so it’s important that you take

some things into consideration.

Heating If radiators feel cold at the top but warm at the
bottom they most likely need bleeding – do you
Familiarise yourself with how your heating system have a radiator bleed key? You can buy these
works and how it is controlled. For instance the from most DIY shops or supermarkets.
radiators will only work if the electric thermostat on Check out YouTube or call our office for how
the wall is ‘calling’ for the heat to come on. In other to bleed your radiators.
words, if the thermostat is set at 18° but the room
is 20° the heating will not come on. You will have Electrics
to turn it up to 21° for the heating to come on.
We all like a good light display at this time of year
Electric but please be careful. Do not overload electric
thermostat sockets or use multiple trailing sockets with
tip appliances, Christmas lights etc., as this could
cause a fire hazard.

If you like the soft light of a real candle, take care
particularly near Christmas trees, decorations and
soft furnishings. Never leave them unattended as
a small fire can develop into a huge one in a matter
of minutes.

If you have a dial on your thermostat, when you It’s always a good idea to always have a torch
turn it up or down you will normally hear a ‘click’. where you can find it easily just in case of a power
The ‘click’ tell you what temperature the room is at cut, or if you do over load the circuit!
that moment. By knowing this you can work out
how warm the room is. Water

If your home is going to be empty for more than 12 It’s so important to know where Traditional
hours, make sure enough heating is left on to stop your stop tap is. If there is a burst stop tap
the home and pipework freezing. By having your pipe or a leak you will need to turn
heating on a low temperature it is actually cheaper this off straight away. In most
than switching your heating off. This is because it cases the stop-tap in under the
doesn't have to get warm from cold. sink, but they can be in the cellar.

In more modern homes
there may be something
called a ‘surestop’. This is a
pressure activated switch that

will turn off the water.

6

Don't hang washing on the radiators Missed Appointment –
No Access
Condensation
We appreciate that we all live busy lives, but it is
Condensation is something we get loads of calls very important that when you have agreed to an
about. It is caused by moisture in the air landing appointment with a contractor, you make sure
on cooler surfaces. That’s why spectacles steam you are available for them to carry out the repairs
up when you go into a warm room when you have and maintenance.
been outside in the cold. It happens more in winter,
because we use more heating, we tend to cook We have noticed recently a rise of missed
more, we dry clothes inside and we keep the appointments. We have decided that unfortunately
windows & doors closed. we will have to recharge the £36.00 no access
charge made by our contractors if you do not
It’s really important to avoid condensation by keep the appointment you have made.
opening windows particularly in bathrooms &
kitchens. Using extractor fans is a perfect way of Emergency Repairs
getting rid of unwanted moisture in the air.
Please remember that emergency repairs are really
We all do it at times but drying clothes over radiators only for emergencies. We class these as:
is one of the worst culprits for condensation. It also
robs your home of heat as the clothes absorb the • Total loss of electric power, water or gas supply
heat instead of the home. Try using a drying rack (unless the fault is due to your Supplier)
instead of the radiator.
• Property insecure as a result of window or door
Ventilation Tip being smashed or broken into

Ventilation is a good thing – let it be your friend! • Severe leak from water or heating pipe, water
Allowing a free flow of air into your home will do tank or cistern that cannot be contained or
two things. It will: causes a health & safety risk

• Let moisture-full air leave your home • Toilet not flushing or blocked (if there is no other
working toilet in your home) you may be
• Let bad odours, cooking smells and carbon recharged the cost of the repair if you have
dioxide from cooking or gas fires, out making the caused the blockage
air better for you and your families health
• Boarding up windows / doors where
Generally it is good to keep doors in the home security is at risk
open to allow air to circulate. That will stop the air
in those rooms getting stale. • Gas leaks

Close the doors in rooms where you are showering, • Storm damage, flooding, fire damage,
cooking or drying clothes. It will stop the moisture dangerous structure
escaping into the rest of the home.
• Water through roof or ceiling where there is a
risk to your health & safety

• Loss of heating or hot water between 31 October
and 1 May where there is no other form of heating
or hot water

If you call our emergency service we will assess
the job first and tell you if we class that as
an emergency.

7

New Homes for Bungalows
Brameld Road delayed Postponed
in Catcliffe
This development in Swinton We are looking forward to Old Village &
Rotherham is still on the way to working with Rotherham Council Swallownest
being delivered but has been again as over the last 10 years
delayed. We are in negotiations we have completed several In the last issue of Arches News
with Rotherham Council about developments. These have we told you about a couple of
the funding of the scheme but ranged from building on old small bungalow developments
still hope to be on site in garage sites to completing to we were planning. Due to the
March 2016. our largest scheme of 76 new changes through the Government
homes in Dinnington. summer budget (see pg 2 & 3) we
have postponed these as at the
The Waverley moment we are not able to make
New Homes these schemes work financially.
Phase 4
The schemes, for a couple of
We have been approached by builders Harron Homes about bungalows at each site, will
taking on 6 new units on this prestigious development at Catcliffe. hopefully still be delivered but we
We have worked a lot with Harron Homes and Taylor Wimpey to have some work to do on the
deliver the affordable housing element on this scheme. financial elements before we
can progress.
Over the last couple of years we have obtained around 25 properties
for rent and 17 shared ownership. The affordable housing element Every property we develop
of Phase 4 from Harron Homes is made up of 6 apartments for has to be able to pay back the
shared ownership under the terms of a Section 106. This is a investment we make within
planning condition that makes sure that affordable housing is 30-35 years. Due to the
available on large private developments. proposed rent reduction for
the next four years, all
We are expecting them to be complete and ready by December schemes will need to reviewed
next year. so that they do not jeopardise
the stability of the organisation.
8

The Silent Killer

(Scary lyrics for ‘Silent Night’)

Silent Night, Deadly Night
All’s not calm, all’s not bright
All of your family’s life is at risk
If you don’t have your gas boiler serviced
You could die in your sleep
You may well die in your sleep

Carbon monoxide from poorly maintained gas appliances can – and do – kill. You can’t see it and
it will slowly suffocate you. Get a gas service. Call our office to check if yours is due.

Get Permission

We have noticed that With every new home it is even If you have already carried out
many of our residents more important. These homes any improvements without
are putting things like are under a ‘defects’ period for permission you can ask for
satellite dishes up without the first year so if there are any retrospective permission
issues with the property the (permission afterwards). You
first getting permission. It is part building contractor will need to need to write to us giving details
of each tenancy agreement that put it right. If they find that of any changes or amendments.
you ask us before you make any something you have done has Please include any drawings and
adaptations to your home. caused the problem they will sizes so we can understand
refuse to carry out any repairs. what you wish to do.

9

Improving Your Homes with

In each of our homes there are Once these have been completed we will be ready
fixed ‘elements’ such as boilers, kitchen to start the work in the early New Year.

units, bathroom suites and external doors, that Who will complete the surveys?
all have a ‘life’. This ‘life’ sets how long something
is expected to last from the date it is fitted. Luigi Iantorno who is our Property Services Team
Leader will carry out the surveys along with the
We have just agreed a contract with Wates contractor who will carry out the improvements.
Construction to carry out improvement work in We will be running “pop up” sessions as the
a minimum of 50 homes per year until 2020. program begins – If you get an invite please
The replacement programme will be concentrated come along and find out more.
on homes that were built, or previously had
replacement of these elements, before the
year 2000.

The first year's work will be on Wensley Street, Misuse
Page Hall. We are carrying out surveys of all
those homes during December to: We have recently had situations where, for
instance, a new kitchen has been replaced in the
• Update our knowledge of the condition of all last 6 years, and it is in poor condition because
the properties the tenant has misused it or not looked after it.
As we are carrying out the surveys, if we find this
• Find out exactly what needs to be replaced kind of situation we are not necessarily going to
replace it again.
A survey does not guarantee that your home will
have any improvements made. The survey is The tenant (If they are the only tenants to have
needed to give us a clear picture of what needs lived there since the original replacement) will be
to be completed. The improvements will differ to asked to make repairs to the kitchen before we
each property. Some homes will have a bathroom, do anything. We will be taking action on each
a boiler and a kitchen whereas others may only tenant who has not looked after their home.
need new external doors – it really will depend on
the surveys.

10

Who Reads This Stuff!?

Our newsletter has gone through many
changes over the years. The reason we
do this is to try and make it as useful
and widely read as possible. The issue
is – who actually reads it?

We are in a more digital age where the
use of texts, emails, websites, and social
media is commonplace. Printed
newsletters can be seen as a relic from
time – and a costly one too. Each edition
costs around £1.80 per copy to design
print and deliver.

We are looking to review how we
communicate news to you. Instead of
holding onto news until the next
newsletter is due, we are looking to use
texts, email and our Facebook and
Twitter pages to get the news out there
when the news is actually current.

How do you want us to
communicate with you?
Are you ok with us using these
electronic methods or do you
think the newsletter is still useful.

Email [email protected]
or call Michael on 0114 2288113 or pop
into our office to tell us how you feel
about how we communicate.

The 3 C’s

As you will see in this edition there are many challenges and changes which we will face in the
coming months and years. None more so than the summer budget cuts the Government has introduced.
Here we present our current Challenges, the Changes we have made and our recent aChievements.

Challenges, Changes, aChievements

Benefit Cap – From April this will Customer Intelligence Group – Development – 16 new family
mean over 10% of our tenants this is now working hard homes completed in Burngreave
have less money in their pocket on improving the
customer experience Volunteering – Commitment
Improving Customer satisfaction made at Burngreave library and
– We must improve levels of Gas Servicing – We will now Springboard Social Café
customer satisfaction recharge residents if we do not
gain access after three visits Planned improvements –
Resident board membership – Contract for planned works
We need to recruit a further Budget cuts – freeze on costs secured for the next 4 years
resident board member (see pg 5) rising including staff salaries
Darnall project - Successful
Right to Buy (RTB) – We are Sad goodbyes – Sheila Moakes sporting project delivered in
waiting for full details of the and Chris Jones retire at partnership with Sheffield Eagles,
proposal to extend the RTB to Christmas 2015 Chevin Housing & South Yorkshire
housing association tenants Housing Association

Arches+ - Getting our residents Website - new website and 11
to sign up to arches+ (see pg 2) Arches+ now live (see pg 2)

Christmas Arrives Early at Pitsmoor Adventure

In our last issue we £111,866 which will fund three that BBC Children in Need have
highlighted the progress play workers and sessional staff recognised the importance of
being made at Pitsmoor for the next three years, as well Pitsmoor Adventure Playground
Adventure Playground. as refurbishment of the kitchen in meeting the needs of children
area. The fantastic news was in our area. The funding puts us
We are delighted to announce announced during the Halloween on a much more secure footing
that in November they were Family Fun Day on 31st October. for the next three years and will
successful with a funding bid allow us to expand and improve
to BBC Children in Need. Chair of Trustees Yanina what we offer to local families."
They have been awarded Koszalinski said, "We're thrilled

Halloween Family Fun Day

New School at Pye Bank, Pitsmoor?

During a public meeting at The proposals discussed were:
Burngreave in October, the issue about
• A new secondary school by refurbishing and
increasing school places for local children was extending the former Pye Bank School in
high on the agenda. Pitsmoor. This would open in September 2018
with 150 places per year
Dave Metcalfe, a Project Officer from Sheffield
City Council, discussed increasing primary and • To find the best way to offer 30 more primary
secondary school places. This is in response to school places in the Burngreave area.
an increase in population meaning there aren’t Two proposals are possible including adding
enough local school places. a primary phase to the new secondary school,
or an expansion of one of the local schools

Dave will be visiting local schools and to talking to parents and local community groups.

It was stressed that any new school will fit the needs of the community and respond to the needs of
vulnerable young people.

Details of the proposals and the consultation survey can be found at: www.sheffield.gov.uk/schoolplaces

12

Universal Credit – Are You Ready?

Big changes to benefits single people who are making a Tips to help prepare for
are taking place across new claim will be included. If you Universal Credit
the country. Universal Credit live in Sheffield, Universal Credit
will start to be paid from 18th 1. Open a bank account with
is replacing the following benefits: January 2016. a Direct Debit facility

Jobseeker's Allowance If you make a claim for You will need a bank account
Universal Credit, please contact in order to receive Universal
Employment and Support our Income Management team Credit. Direct Debit makes sure
Allowance on 0114 2288100 so that we can your rent is paid automatically,
update our records and discuss so you don't have to worry
Income Support how you will be paying your rent. about remembering it.

Working Tax Credits What does this mean 2. Get Online
for you?
Child Tax Credits Universal Credit must be
The housing element of Universal claimed online, so you'll
Housing Benefit Credit is paid directly to you need access to the internet.
to help you pay your rent. If you are unemployed you'll
Instead of several different This means you will be responsible be expected to search for
benefits being paid on different for making sure your rent is jobs online using Universal
dates, Universal Credit will be paid on time. We will no longer Jobs Match.
one monthly benefit payment. receive housing benefit direct
If you live in Rotherham, these from the Council. • You can access the internet
started to be paid from 7th at a Job Centre or at your
December 2015. Initially only local Online Centre. The Post
Office can give you a list of
Incomloymeenntt & Supe Supportnefityour 5 nearest free centres.
Wo Housing Berking Tax
CJohbilsdeeTkaexr’CCsprrApeelolddortiwitAsallnowceance • To brush up your computer
skills, call UK Online on
Emp 0800 771 234 or visit
www.ukonlinecentres.com.
They can help you find
courses near where you live.

3. Budget your money

Setting a sensible spending
budget helps make sure you
won't run out of money before
your next payment is due.

Get help and advice

If you would like some more 13
information on Universal Credit
and how it affects you,
please contact the Income
Management Team on
0114 2288100.

Commitment This year we made a Marcia, a paid worker from
to the commitment to volunteer in SOAR, who co-ordinates and
Community manages them.
some worthwhile community
projects. This would be in the They open Monday, Wednesday
form of staff members giving up and Friday from 10am until
their time, during work hours, to 12.30pm then re-open from
support valuable local causes. 1.30pm to 5pm. On Saturday’s
they open 10am until 1pm.
We were really pleased and
excited that 15 members of Apart from the usual services like
staff put themselves forward loaning out books, they have five
to be involved. It shows the computers that are available for
commitment our staff has for the public to use in thirty minute
the local community. slots for a maximum of an hour.
Up to 15 books each can be
We met with SOAR (Southey taken out which are loaned for a
Owlerton Area Regeneration) to three week period and can be
identify projects that might benefit renewed by telephone in the
from some extra volunteers. They actual branch or via the internet
are a community regeneration – how times have changed!
charity that provides a range of
services designed to improve a We have decided to send down
person’s health, well-being and two members of staff each week
employability. to help them out.

Recently SOAR has set up two
local projects that we think makes
a difference in our community:

“15 members of staff Springboard Social café –
put themselves Vestry Hall, Burngreave
forward to be involved
in this project. It shows This drop in café is open from
the commitment our 10am till 3pm every other
staff has for the local Thursday. They provide light
community.” refreshments and occasionally
cook up something lovely.
The sessions are all about getting
people together, having a chat
and maybe a few activities on
some occasions.

We have decided to send a
couple of staff down there every
fortnight to help out, chat to
people and generally help
promote the activity.

Burngreave Library support

This is another SOAR project we

have decided to support. Based Ady in the Library

in Sorby House on Spital Hill, this with Margaret from
Burngreave Tenants' Group
volunteer run library is led by

14

Somerset Park update

Arches go Before
Smokefree During

We have signed up to a new After
service which promotes
Smokefree homes across the One of the more pleasing pieces Once strewn with litter, self-set
city. We will be the first landlord of community work we have trees, mattresses, chairs and old
to actively promote the benefits done was to help support shopping trolleys, it now has
of smokefree homes, to help Burngreave Tenants group in some organised tree planting
create healthier environments their quest to improve local play and a new covering of grass.
for families. facilities on Somerset Park.
This park had been neglected
80% of second-hand smoke is Phase 1 of this project has over the years and and was
invisible. You can’t control taken shape and the clearance blight on the community. It now
where it goes and it contains of the site has made a is a welcoming – if steep – sight.
over 4000 chemicals with massive difference to the area.
almost 70 of these known to
cause cancer. Emotional Wellness in the Home

Breathing in second-hand Andrea Golding our central patch Dysfunctionality in the Home.
smoke is harmful and children Housing Officer has recently
are at a bigger risk as their supported a series of Emotional With many families in our local
lungs, airways and immune Wellness seminars organised by communities being challenged
systems are less developed. Burngreave Community Craft with emotional and relational
Association. Held over three issues, the seminar was
Smoke outside weeks in August at the Vestry appropriate, suitable and timely
Hall and the local Seventh Day in that it addressed some of the
Taking smoking outside is the Adventist hall, sessions included issues which families and
best way to protect your family topics such as Overcoming households tend to encounter.
and once you start, it becomes
so easy it may even help you 15
cut down on how many
you smoke!

Your home will smell fresher and
you will be doing something
really positive for yourself and
your family. 80% of people
agree that you shouldn’t smoke
in the home if you share it
with a child.

We are taking the lead by
encouraging our residents to
sign up and show their support
by making a Smokefree pledge.

It’s quick & easy to do, go to
www.soarcommunity.org.uk/
mysmokefreespace

Every little helps – Cathedral Archer Project

Our staff recently made • A programme of activities to
a contribution to a very help people learn skills and
worthwhile project. enjoy new experiences

The Cathedral Archer Project is • The chance to gain
tremendously successful at accredited awards
supporting homeless people in
Sheffield. Set up in 1989 to • A structured volunteer
provide breakfast to the homeless programme which helps people
people who were gathering at the to gain structure in their lives.
Cathedral, they have moved from
strength to strength. • Support to attend drug and
alcoholic treatment services
What started as tea and toast
served by members of the • Access to computers and
Cathedral congregation has telephone
developed and expanded into a
rounded service designed to help Charlotte (one of our Customer
homeless people to improve their Service Administrators) decided
lives. There are a lot of services to build up a food parcel to help
on offer including: support the project. All staff
chipped in by bringing in things
• Assessment and signposting like tins of beans, cereals, tuna,
to appropriate service providers porridge and a host of other
goodies. We know it’s only a little
• 1:1 support – but they were very grateful
when we dropped them off.
• In-house nurse and dental
clinics

• Access to hot food, drinks If you want to know more about
and food parcels, showers them go to:
and laundry www.archerproject.org.uk

Darnall S9 Project

Mohsin Rizvi, one of our Housing Officers, has their desire to work closely with the
been busy over the last few months working with local communities.
Together Housing Group, South Yorkshire Housing
and Sheffield Eagles. The project is about delivering South Yorkshire Housing along with us and Together
sporting activities to young people in Darnall promote the activities to our residents to try and
and Attercliffe. encourage more young people to engage in
sporting activities.
After an initial test period, Together Housing put
together a project bid and won £10,000 If your child lives in Darnall or Attercliffe and would
Big Lottery funding. The money is to spend on like to be involved, call Mohsin on 0114 2288100
providing activities throughout school holidays. or email [email protected]
Sheffield Eagles will deliver the activities as part of

Main Switchboard: 0114 228 8100 Fax: 0114 228 8150 Email: [email protected]
Web: www.archeshousing.org.uk Twitter: @ArchesHousing Facebook: /ArchesHousing

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