Your House...Your Home

Visitors to the Lord Mayor's Gala in East Park in May took a walk through the Housing Service marquee.

The marquee, which had the theme of 'Your House - Your Home' involved tenant and resident volunteers working alongside housing officers on the information stands.
"The marquee was divided into three sections," says Tenants' Forum chair, Betty Peck.
"The sections were called Finding Your New Home, Living in Your Home and the Future of Your Home.
Visitors had the opportunity to ask their questions and talk to council officers and other involved tenants like myself, about how they could access housing services, how to get involved and take part in quizzes and competitions."
Each section represented a different area of housing and promoted the work of the service improvement groups, the seven area housing boards and the services available to customers.
"We wanted to show that getting involved in the housing service can and does make a real difference to the quality of life for people that live in the city," says Betty.
Competition prizes ranged from sweets and gift vouchers for quizzes on individual stands, to a widescreen television for completing a questionnaire.

Lord Mayor's Gala prize draw winner, Linda White is pictured receiving her widescreen digital HD ready TV prize from tenant participation team leader, Sarah Gibson. Lucky Linda completed a 'Your Views Count' questionnaire at the Lord Mayor's Gala for entry into the prize draw. If you want to enter a prize draw to win a prize, pick up a Housing Opinion Panel (HOP) form from any customer service centre or information point. Complete the form and send it in to become a member of the Housing Opinion Panel. HOP members who take part in an activity will be entered into a quarterly draw. The randomly selected winner receives £50 of gift vouchers for a shop of their choosing.

Tenant News Summer fun for children and young people in Hull

The long, hot (fingers crossed), summer holiday stretches in front of you. The family has been on holiday, it's a whole month before school – so what are you going to do? Across the city, different agencies have organised events, clubs and other activities to help fill those days. Things to do, Places to Go! Why not visit the Clued Up website - www.cluedupinhull.com – to find out what's happening this summer? From learning circus skills to recording a song, you can find details of summer events under the slogan 'Things to Do, Places to Go!' Following the success of last year's 'Clued Up for Summer' campaign, lots of young people had their ideas for additional summer holiday activities and opportunities taken on board for this years 'Clued Up for Summer' campaign. With loads of ideas for children, young people and their families, the 'Clued Up for Summer 2009' booklet includes details about sporting activities, arts, libraries and museums, as well as events organised by the Council's Youth Development Service. You can pick up 'Clued Up for Summer 2009' from any children's centre, customer service centre, information point, youth centre, leisure centre or library. East Hull Urban Art (EHUA) EHUA gives local children aged 5 to 18 years the chance to be the next pint-sized pop star – if only for a week. Based at St Mark's Church on the Ings estate, members rehearse at night, 5 - 8pm, and perform on a Saturday night. With a membership of over 200 children a week rehearsals are split: Wednesday and Friday nights the senior members rehearse; Tuesday and Thursday nights the juniors rehearse. "Urban Art is celebrating its second anniversary in September," says Tracy Noon, professional singer and actress who organises and runs the sessions. "In June we put on a successful production of songs and dances from popular West End shows. All three nights, people were queuing up to see the show. It's great to see children and young people from whatever background taking part, having fun and enjoying being in the limelight as the star for one night." If you are interested to see if it is for you, pop along one night and either join in or sit and watch. You can also visit www.ehua.piczo.com If you decide to join, you will receive a registration pack and pay weekly subs of £3.50. The subscription fee covers the costs for hall rental and performance costumes. Hessle Road Network Launched in December 1999, Hessle Road Network brings local residents, groups and organisations together to tackle local issues and to focus on the needs of their children and young people. This organisation works in partnership with a number of agencies such as Hull Youth Service, Endeavour School and Riverside Area Team. Based within Hull Play Resource Centre (Scrapstore) on Dairycoates Avenue, not only do they organise alternative learning sessions, mentoring, outreach activities, they also run supervised evening and holiday activities at both their Dairycoates base and Edinburgh Street Community Centre. It provides a place where local youths aged between 9 and 21 years can get involved in fun activities such as playing pool, cards, board games, get support and advice, chat and meet socially. Last year, the organisation ran a Trans-Pennine Trail bike ride. This year's bike ride starts with four, 25-mile rides, leading to a four day residential course. Over four Fridays the ability, endurance and commitment of the involved young people will be tested, to see who gets one of the limited places on the course. If you think you might enjoy attending Hessle Road Network's activities, visit www.hesslerdnetwork.karoo.net, call 606077, email info@hesslerdnetwork.karoo.co.uk or visit their offices at Hull Play Resource Centre, Dairycoates Avenue for more information. Dude, where's my future? Young people spent an afternoon at the Guildhall in early June finding out what housing support and information was available to them. The multi-agency event aimed to break down barriers and misconceptions that surround council housing by enabling young people aged between 16 and 25 to access the service. The event covered housing Benefits getting a council property homelessness services maintaining a tenancy how to report antisocial behaviour and hate crime. Other agencies provided support, advice and information around sexual health, getting jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities, antisocial behaviour and reporting hate crime.

Did you know?

Hate crime is driven mainly by hatred against a victim based on his or her race, colour, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. Hate crimes can also be directed at the friends and family members of someone within one of these groups. To report a hate crime ring the Stop Hate Crime 24 Hour phone line number 0800 138 1625, or to report in person, visit any customer service centre or information point. The person reporting an incident does not have to be the person who experiences the hate crime.

Me and my shadow

Repairs Service Improvement Group volunteers are riding alongside contractor operatives to see the repairs service from the contractor's point of view.
The Shadowing Operatives initiative, or ride alongs, was set up with the Council's partnership contractors Kier Group, Connaught, KWL, the Housing Service and the Service Improvement Group.
"As a tenant going out on these visits, it has helped me to view things from the other side," says Walter Jackson, outgoing chair of the Repairs and Maintenance Service Improvement Group.
"I have been able to see how tenants react to operatives and that the operatives are making the effort to get the job done correctly, quickly and with the minimum of mess and fuss." By shadowing a worker for the day and watching working practices the volunteers gain knowledge and an awareness of issues and challenges facing both the repairs service and the operatives that are responsible for delivering the service.

Annual Leaseholder Survey questionnaire winner, Mr Milner is pictured being presented with his prize of £50 Marks and Spencer's gift vouchers by tenant participation officer, Sherilee Jepmond. Mr Milner's entry was drawn from over 70 completed and returned questionnaires. Overall, just under 25 per cent of forms were returned.

You said - what are we doing to address the numbers of failed repairs appointments?

We did - We now agree the repair appointment date and time with the customer, plus we have introduced a text and voice mail reminder service to remind customers of their agreed appointment. Our contractor partners also provide a ring-ahead service that lets customers know they will be there shortly. (The repairs service currently meets 98.2% of all agreed appointments).

tenant news in brief

Tenants' Forum The interim head of housing, Angela Dearing is the guest speaker at the next Tenants' Forum on Tuesday 18 August, 10am - 1pm at the Guildhall. For more details ring 300300 and ask to speak to the tenant participation team. New members are always welcome. Pay by Direct Debit this summer Start paying your council house and garage rent by direct debit this summer. It is a simple, safe, efficient, effective and convenient way to pay and you will have no worries. There is no queuing, no postage and no cheques to write. It saves time and effort and you know your rent has been paid on time - even when you are on holiday. For more information about paying by direct debit, ring 300300. Housing academy The next Housing Academy day-time course starts in September 2009. The two-hour, 14-week course covers topics such as housing law, antisocial behaviour, equalities and customer service. The Academy aims to help local tenants and residents, from 16 years upwards, to participate more fully in local and citywide decision making. If you are interested in joining the Academy please contact the Tenant Participation Team on 300300. Sculcoates Family History Group The Sculcoates Family History Group meets every two weeks at Stepney Primary School, Beverley Road, Hull (12 - 1.30pm during school holidays; 4.30 - 6pm during term time). Participants are asked to pay subs. For further information call group coordinator, Dee Williamson on 447883 or visit www.sculcoatesneighbourhoodassociation.co.uk Tenant News Quiz Night The Thornton for the Future group runs monthly quiz nights (last Wednesday of each month) for teams of six, with prizes, raffles, 'bus stop' lotteries, snacks and music at the Goodwin Club, Walker Street. There is a £1 entrance fee. For further information, email patm@goodwin-centre.org or ring 215259. Area Housing Board tenant elections Elections for 12 tenant member vacancies across the Boards will take place in November 2009. If you are over 18, a local council tenant and you think you have something to offer your Area Housing Board, call 300300 for more information or visit www.hullcc.gov.uk/housing