Home Matters - Autumn 2014

Home
Matters
www.circle.org.uk
AUTUMN 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Resident
Review
Highlighting our work and looking
to the future
Circle Housing Money
Save and spend with our new credit union
Become a dementia friend
1
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
In this
issue
Page 3
Dementia Friends
Page 4-5
Community investment
Page 6-7
Tenant Scrutiny Panel
Page 8
Moving made easier
Page 10-11
Our new Credit Union
Page 14
Go online
Page 15-18
Resident Review
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
WELCOME
to the Autumn issue of Home
Matters.
As the darker evenings creep in, inside
we have a round-up of all those great
summer events that you helped to make
a success. You can find out more about
our welfare benefits health checks
and how you can access training and
employment help.
There’s useful information about
keeping your energy bills down this
winter, how to sign up to our great
new credit union to help you save and
spend. Plus the chance to win shopping
vouchers.
So sit back with a cuppa and see what’s
going on with Circle Housing Circle 33
this Autumn.
Page 22
Tips to stay warm
Page 26-27
Repairs update
Page 28
Customer service award
Page 30
Benefit health check
2
www.circle.org.uk
Congratulations...
to Miranda Cunningham of
London who won the wordsearch
competition for Circle Housing
Circle 33 in the last issue of
Home Matters. Your Love2shop
vouchers are on the way.
Dementia Friends
Many people will know someone who is living with Dementia. Anyone
can become a Dementia Friend, it’s about understanding the small things
you can do to help people with dementia. Sarah Anderson our Resident
Involvement Manager became a Dementia Champion by having a
training day with Dementia Friends.
Sarah is committed to making the community more dementia-friendly by
being patient and helpful to people who are living with dementia.
Sarah said:
“It was so easy to sign up, I visited the website www.dementiafriends.
org.uk and watched a short video, and then arranged to attend an hour
information session to find out more. It’s great to help to raise
awareness of Dementia to friends, family, work colleagues and
residents. I wanted to do more, so decided to sign up for the full day
training session, after which I became a champion.”
Sarah is running two dementia information sessions on Thursday, 11
December, from 10-11am and 11.15am - 12.15pm at our Corsica Street
offices. At the end of the session we will be able to give you details of
how to become a Dementia Champion and run information
sessions yourself. The Alzheimer’s Society aims to have one million
Dementia Friends by 2015, to help improve the lives of the 670,000
people currently living with the condition.
Please call us to book if you would like to attend.
3
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Share your skills
Resident Andrew Tsai went to our Business Start up course. Andrew is
an IT specialist and during the course, while discussing social media, the
course organisers invited Andrew to talk about using IT for business. This
helped improve Andrew’s self confidence and with support from us he has
provided a course for residents about social media to promote businesses.
Residents were supported to set up new websites and social media
accounts to promote their businesses.
Andrew said
“I hope that residents’ business and career prospects have been
improved with this course, and that they have the tools they need to
succeed online in today’s competitive business world.”
If you have skills to share that might benefit others or would like to
attend a training course, contact Marta, Community Development
Coordinator, on 0207 704 5471 or 07920 207501.
Energy Doctor prize draw
Daniel Hadji our Energy Doctor supports residents to save money on
their utility bills and to live more comfortably. We ask for feedback from
residents who have worked with Daniel and will use their comments in
order to improve the service. Thanks to all the residents who completed
the questionnaire. The lucky winner of the £25 Love2shop voucher draw is
Ms Kim Raper.
If you want to hear more about the Energy Doctor Service get in touch
with Marta, Community Development Coordinator, on 0207 704 5471 or
07920 207501.
4
Try something new…
Sue Blake from Haringey got in touch with our Community Investment
Team to organise a local community health event showcasing alternative
therapies.
They supported Sue to consult with her neighbours and as most people
were interested in attending the event, Sue applied for a Community
Chest Grant.
The event introduced local
residents to alternative therapies
with a free taster session. Including
Yoga, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu
massage, Qi Gong, Capoeira and
Samba.
There was a photography hut,
arts and crafts, bouncy castle and
face painting. The day ended with
a performance from a group of
Brazilian dancers in full costume
putting a smile on everyone's faces.
Sue had previously lobbied local
business to donate items for an
amazing raffle with £700 worth of
prizes up for grabs which raised
£340 for the charity World Vision.
Sue is now hoping to expand on her
idea and start a business, which we
are keen to support her with.
If you have an idea for a
community chest grant or want
more information regarding
business start-up & training please
contact Mark Rogers in Circle
Housing Circle 33’s Community
Investment Team on 0207 447 3070
or email [email protected].
5
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Tenant Scrutiny Panel
our journey so far
Our panel of 11 customers formed in 2013 and our role is
to ensure that Circle Housing Circle 33 is proving they:
• Meet the needs of customers
• Reach the standard promised to customers
• Meets the regulator’s requirements.
We collected information between November 2013 and March 2014 and
our report and recommendations were presented to Circle Housing
Circle 33’s board in July 2014. We were supported throughout the review
by our independent Chair, Sue Farrant from Housing Quality Network
(HQN).
We selected customer service as our first scrutiny. This service affects how
customers experience every other Circle Housing Circle 33 service.
In particular, the review explored:
• The customer experience when
they contact Circle Housing
Circle 33 in person, by phone, in
writing or via the website
• If customers were satisfied with
the outcome of their enquiries,
particularly if the Contact Centre
refers them to another section
• If customers can easily access the
information they need
• How well special communications
needs and vulnerabilities were
understood and allowed for
• If front line staff identified
welfare or support needs and
offered customer suitable advice/
signposting to other services
• How Circle Housing Circle 33
ensures its contractors provide
a consistently high standard of
customer service
•How well Circle Housing Circle
33 is performing on customer
service, including in comparison
with other providers
•If complaints were welcomed and
used to improve services.
The team also asked where
improvements could be made.
6
During the review we:
•Visited Circle Housing Circle 33’s
•Reviewed documents provided to
contact centre
us by Circle Housing Circle 33
•Observed the Corsica Street
•Reviewed the website
reception.
•Interviewed managers and staff
•Held a focus group with involved
customers
A copy of the report detailing our recommendations is available in our
reception areas, and also on the website which details in full the findings,
and recommendations during this scrutiny review.
We are looking to start our next review, and recently recruited new
members to join the team. Watch out in the next issue for a photo of the
members and feedback from our next review.
If there is an area of you would like us to consider for a review, please
email [email protected] who will pass your email onto
the scrutiny team. We cannot look into individual complaints or
repair issues.
7
www.circle.org.uk
Competition Time
Win £25 of Love2shop vouchers
WORDH
SEARC
If you want to be in with a chance to win £25 of Love2shop
vouchers, then tell us which word cannot be found in the word
search below. Send your answer to:
Karen Rowley, Circle Housing, 6 Central Avenue, St Andrews
Business Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 0HR. Or email the
answer and your details to [email protected].
The closing date is December 5th when nine winners will be
chosen (one winner per Circle Housing partner).
Across Circle Housing, there are many ways residents can
get involved. Contact your local Resident Involvement team
to find the right role for you.
Moving made easier
If you want to move home, we can help you through our new Housing
Options service, we offer a comprehensive package of moving options.
•If you transfer to a smaller home,
we will pay you per room you
downsize.
•Find someone to exchange your
home with through a Mutual
Exchange.
•Look at renting privately or take
the ‘First Steps scheme’ into home
ownership.
•We help adult children move into
their own home as part of our new
‘Fly The Nest’ scheme.
For more information, call the
Housing Options team on 0300
456 3000.
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9
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Your Money Matters
Circle Housing Money is
launching on 3rd November
Visit:
www.circlehousingmoney.org.uk
or call 0300 500 8089 (from a
mobile) or 0800 902 0021
(from a landline)
The kids have gone back to school, the autumn leaves are falling
and winter is well and truly on its way. Just as summer seems to
have flown by, you realise that Christmas is just around the corner.
For many of us, this is a time to
think about our finances: checking
we’ve got enough for the turkey
and trimmings, and making some
financial resolutions for the New
Year.
That’s where Circle Housing
Money comes in. Launching on
3rd November, this brand new
partnership with Leeds City Credit
Union has been set up specifically
for Circle Housing customers,
Centra care and support customers
and Circle Housing staff.
Whether you need to borrow
money for emergencies or want
to put cash aside for something
special, you may find Circle
Housing Money is more flexible
than the high street banks and far
cheaper than a payday lender.
10
Ethical, responsible and reliable
Circle Housing Money has been
set up to benefit the people who
join as members: our customers
and staff.
Credit unions are not-for-profit
organisations, meaning that they
exist to benefit their members,
not to pay outside shareholders.
When members put money into
savings, others can borrow at
affordable rates.
Independent service you can
trust
You need to know that your money,
and any personal information
about you, is safe and secure.
That’s why Circle Housing Money
is backed by a long established,
independent credit union. Leeds
City Credit Union is responsible
for delivering all of the services
and is regulated by the financial
authorities.
Your financial data will be held
confidentially and your savings will
be protected by the Government’s
compensation scheme. You’ll be
joining over 30,000 others who
are using Leeds City Credit Union
right now.
Get in touch
Circle Housing Money is easy to
join and once you’re a member you
can start saving or borrow money.
‘Leeds City Credit Union is authorised by the
Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and
the Prudential Regulation Authority - firm
reference number 213369. This information
With easy access online or on the
phone, Circle Housing Money is
open for business wherever you
live.
For an application pack or more
details, call 0300 500 8089 from
a mobile, 0800 902 0021 from a
landline, or visit:
www.circlehousingmoney.org.uk
may be checked by visiting the Register at
www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do or by contacting the Prudential Regulation Authority
on 020 7601 4878.
11
www.circle.org.uk
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
Tackling domestic abuse
We can help get you the right support
Domestic abuse is a crime. It is any incident of controlling, coercive,
threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over
who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless
of gender or sexuality. The abuse can be psychological, physical, sexual,
financial or emotional.
HELPING US TO HELP YOU
You as our customers are the best people to look at the
services that we offer you and recommend how we can
improve.
An average of one to three services are looked at by each Scrutiny Panel
every year. There are currently 57 customers involved in the work of our
scrutiny panels across Circle Housing.
The panels review areas of the
business that can be improved or
changed to better meet customers’
needs, such as anti-social
behaviour, call handling, aids and
adaptations, communications,
grounds maintenance and estate
services. Recommendations are
referred to Board and action plans
developed to drive improvements.
In July we held a groupwide
scrutiny event which 31 customers
attended. Together we looked at
how we could build and improve
our communication of scrutiny,
share our best ways of working,
12
generate new ideas, become
more efficient and providing a
networking opportunity for
customers and staff involved in
Scrutiny. Customers told us about
their experiences of being involved
in scrutiny and what it means to
them.
“
Empowered to work with
residents for a business that
listens to residents”
Involved customer
Domestic abuse also includes forced marriage and so-called “honour”
crimes. It often includes a range of abusive behaviours, is often repetitive
and tends to worsen over time. Domestic abuse can take place in
heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships and
can also be perpetrated by other family members. In some cases, older
children are violent or abusive towards their parents.
What are the signs of domestic
abuse?
Destructive criticism and
verbal abuse, pressure tactics,
disrespect, breaking trust, isolation,
harassment, threats, sexual
violence and physical violence are
just some of the signs.
What we can do
Circle Housing staff have a
responsibility to prevent, recognise
and act on cases of domestic abuse
in the communities where we work.
We will be sympathetic, listen and
take concerns seriously. We can
recommend helplines and support
groups. We will support staff to
record concerns about domestic
abuse in a way that will not
increase the risks to victims and
witnesses.
Our staff can carry out welfare
checks in cases of suspected
domestic abuse. We work with
other organisations to carry out risk
assessments, provide additional
safety measures such as panic
alarms, additional lighting or locks
and support the victim to remain
at home if they want to. We will
also seek assistance to take legal
action against the perpetrator when
necessary.
Many organisations can help you
if you are a victim. The National
Domestic Violence helpline
is a good starting point. Call
freephone 0808 2000 247.
13
www.circle.org.uk
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
Save time, go online
www.circle.org.uk
Getting more information
about your housing provider,
managing your rent account and
finding out what’s going on in
your community has never been
easier.
Just visit www.circle.org.uk.
Reﬂecting on our work
Circle Housing Circle 33’s managing director Neil Brown talks us
through the successes and challenges during 2013/14.
“
Now available across all mobile
devices so you can get all the
information you need wherever
you are, whenever you need it.
You’ll also find advice to help
manage money and benefits,
as well as energy saving
advice, training and education
opportunities near you.
Overall this has been a positive year with great progress in promoting
service excellence and enhancing performance. The big challenges are
our reactive and planned maintenance services which need to improve
significantly.
Visit our website to
• Report a repair
• View your account and
pay your rent online
• Get involved
• Report ASB
Paying your rent is easy with Direct Debit
Setting up a Direct Debit means you don’t have to worry about
arranging to pay us your rent - it just happens automatically.
It takes just a few minutes to set up a regular Direct Debit payment
from your bank or building society. And you can pay weekly,
fortnightly, four weekly or monthly on a date that suits you.
So, if you’re interested in making your rent payments easier - get in
touch with your landlord today to find out more about Direct Debit
or visit the Pay It page on your landlord’s website.
14
RESIDENT
REVIEW
We have delivered a wide range of high quality services that are
fundamental to the well-being of our communities and residents’ quality
of life. Staff commitment to delivering and continuously improving these
services for residents is demonstrated by the following notable successes/
outcomes:
• Establishing the Customer
Scrutiny Panel
• Reduction in homes being empty
long term
• We doubled tenancies ended due
to fraud
• ASB and Louder than Words
accreditations
• Our Resident Involvement,
Income and Customer Services
Teams all received accreditations
• We established two new teams Dedicated Lettings and Business
Administration
• Help more people through YMCA
and Alone in London
• Neighbourhood Team short listed
for National Award
• We strengthened our approach to
Safeguarding people
• Accepted by Waltham Forest as a
partner in development
• Reducing impact of Welfare
Benefit Reform
• Increased employment and
education opportunities
• Reduced complaint escalation to
panel and ombudsman.
”
CIRCLE HOUSING CIRCLE 33
CIRCLE HOUSING CIRCLE 33
13496
1441
Repairs completed
Residents involved in
Community Activity
80%
84
Repairs completed in
target
Residents supported back
into employment
83%
1506
Young people supported
Satisfaction with repair
317
93%
96
Complaints
resolved
Complaints resolved
during investigation
stage
Sub-let properties
recovered
AAYEAR
YEARIN
INNUMBERS
NUMBERS2013/14
2013/14
84%
Satisfaction with
allocations process
A YEAR IN NUMBERS 2013/14
www.circle.org.uk
OUR KEY
PRIORITIES FOR
THE YEAR AHEAD:
• Improving the maintenance
service
• Delivering our planned and
cyclical maintenance programmes
• Developing more partnership
working within our communities
• Addressing hoarding and
improving links with the London
Fire Brigade
• Implement quality surveys within
our services
• Increase visibility of officers in the
community
• Promote excellence within
individual services
• Reduce disrepair and enforcement
issues
• Develop a Strategy for street
properties
• Increase our support for social
enterprise and new business start
ups by working with specialist
agencies
• Widen our digital inclusion
offer to ensure that every Circle
Housing Circle 33 resident has
access to IT training
• Increase estate/block
representatives supporting the
work of the Customer Service
Managers on the ground
• Develop ambitious and creative
estate improvement plans with
customers
Mutual Exchange Update
A new legal process has been introduced for mutual
exchanges between assured or secure tenancies and fixed
term tenancies.
Therefore, if you are an assured or secure tenant or a fixed term tenant
wishing to mutually exchange with a fixed term tenant of another social
housing provider, this may have some implications on what type of
tenancy and rent you’ll be offered by your new landlord.
The Localism Act 2011 protects
the tenancies of some assured or
secure tenants who swap with fixed
term tenants, depending on when
the tenancies started and what
rent type they are on. However, the
law does not protect all assured or
secure tenants who swap with fixed
term tenants and different social
housing providers have different
policies and protections in place to
process these swaps.
Therefore, if you are looking to
mutually exchange with a fixed
term tenant or are a fixed term
tenant yourself, it’s really important
to check with the other landlord
about what tenancy and rent type
you would be offered before you
make your decision about whether
to go ahead with the swap.
• Increase knowledge/information
and signposting opportunites
for customers in regards to
safeguarding, i.e. domestic
violence and dementia friends.
If you have any ideas/comments/suggestions that can feed into
our life chances plan please let us know by calling 0800 073 0417.
If you require any information on
this or mutual exchanges please
contact your Neighbourhood
Oﬃcer.
19
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
DO YOU
WORRY ABOUT
YOUR OLDER LOVED
ONES WHEN THEY’RE
OUT AND ABOUT?
If so, help is available 24/7 at the
touch of a button through our GPS
enabled watch like devices.
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH
CENTRA PULSE,
our in and out of home personal alarm service
Our Centra Pulse products can
help people live independently
for longer. Among those that have
seen the great benefits of what we
offer are TV’s Ruth Langsford and
Dr Dawn Harper.
We filmed them chatting to our
own expert on telecare products
Wendy Darling, Managing Director
of Centra Pulse.
If you’re unsure about how a
personal alarm can help, what
it means and how it could help
a vulnerable family member or
20
friend, have a look at our video
which tackles everything from how
to start those difficult conversations
with elderly parents, to how the
technology works.
Ruth talks about how the
technology gives her peace of
mind. Her mum has a Centra Pulse
alarm at home so Ruth knows
that if she has a fall or needs
reassurance, help is available at the
touch of a button. Our ladies talked
about a range of different needs
that could be supported by telecare,
especially the GPS technology
which helps locate users if they
need help whilst out and about.
From elderly parents and
dementia sufferers to those
with learning disabilities, our
technology gives peace of
mind for families as well as
allowing the users to keep their
independence.
You can ﬁnd the discussion on
our website at:
centrapulse.org.uk
• Button activated, your loved one
can be connected through its two
way speaker that will connect
instantly to our friendly team.
• GPS technology enables us to
provide help for your loved one
wherever they are
• Medical records can be kept on
record so we can provide the most
appropriate assistance
• Ideal for people with dementia or
other related conditions.
• Great for people with physical or
mental health conditions.
24/7 peace of mind wherever
you are - available from
only £7.31 a week
Call us today on
0300 123 3232 or visit
centrapulse.org.uk
21
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Don’t hibernate this Winter,
be prepared and stay warm
The evenings are getting darker earlier and the weather is cooler, so
Winter is around the corner. Now is the time to make sure you are
prepared for the colder months by making a few small changes around
your home.
The average household spends around £1,300 per year on energy. You can
keep your home warmer for longer and reduce the amount of money you
spend on energy bills by following these top tips:
• Don’t put furniture in front of
radiators as the heat will be
wasted.
• In rooms you use less often
turn the heating down using
the radiator valves.
• Close curtains as soon as it
gets dark; this will reduce
draughts and heat loss through
windows.
• Set your room thermostat to
between 18-21ºC to ensure your
living space is kept at a healthy
temperature. If it is higher than
21ºC, turning it down by 1ºC
could save you around £65 a
year.
• Shut doors to keep heat in
rooms used the most and stop
draughts from windows and
doors.
An easy way to save up to £200 per year on your energy bills is to
switch to a cheaper tariff. Contact Circle Housing’s My Home Energy
Switch service for free and impartial energy tariff switching service.
You can contact the team on 0800 088 2306.
22
Circle Housing residents can receive a weekly text message about
how to save energy and discounts on your energy bills, you will also
be entered into a monthly prize draw to receive £100 in Marks and
Spencer vouchers – text Energy to 83118.
Messages cost one standard message rate and we will not share
your details without your permission.
23
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
New powers to tackle
anti-social behaviour
Over the next few months, a new range of legal tools
will be introduced to help landlords deal with anti-social
behaviour (ASB). The new measures were brought in by
the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act and
aim to deliver a victim-centred approach to tackling ASB.
We will always try and work out any problems by talking to those involved
first, intervening early and working in partnership to address the issue.
However, where the ASB is very serious, or where ASB continues despite
our attempts to resolve it, we can use these new legal tools to take action
against the perpetrator.
An important new measure for
victims of ASB is the Community
Trigger, which people can use
to request a review of their case
by local agencies – you can find
information about this from your
local council. Other important
changes that the Act has brought
in are the criminalisation of forced
marriage and new tools to tackle
irresponsible dog ownership.
Some of the new tools for social
landlords include new injunctions
to replace the ASBO and ASBI,
which can also be issued to
young people under 18; legal
requirements for perpetrators to
attend programmes to address
24
the causes of their behaviour and
new powers of eviction that could
be used if a person is convicted
of a serious offence or breaks an
injunction or a court order. There
are other measures that have been
implemented for use by
the police and local
authorities.
Neighbourhoods
In the spotlight…
Our Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) team recently appeared on the BBC1
programme Police Patrol to share a brilliant success story.
One of our residents was causing ASB to the local community in
Tottenham, with barking dogs, playing loud music into the night,
threatening behaviour and intimidation. The programme highlighted
that when the process is followed correctly we can take action with really
positive outcomes.
A case study from Camden
Residents in Camden contacted us to complain about
ASB involving a fellow resident in the block of flats,
the allegations included; smoking cannabis, noise
nuisance and frequent coming and goings from the
property which could be due to drug dealing. The
resident was warned about this behaviour, however
further complaints were received. Following an Estate
Inspection, we reported the concerns to the police as a
strong smell of cannabis was coming from the property.
The police executed a search warrant and drugs
were found, the resident pleaded guilty and received
a suspended sentence. We are pleased to report no
further complaints have been received.
If you’d like more details about
the changes, please contact us,
our details are on the back page.
25
Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
DELAYS TO OUR
REPAIRS SERVICE
We do know that some of our customers have
experienced significant issues with our repairs
service over recent months, with some difficulties booking
appointments, delays in works being completed and
appointments being missed.
We, like you, think this is unacceptable and we would like to sincerely
apologise for any problems or inconvenience it has caused. This is not the
service we expect to provide to you.
The issues with the service have been caused by problems with
mobilising our service, a larger than expected backlog of repairs, not
enough operatives and similar issues with our local subcontractors.
To help get our services back
on track, we have introduced a
number of improvements. Our
contractor Kier has introduced a
new management team which has
reviewed their systems, resources
and processes. This will ensure
they have the right people with
the right skills for the job going
forward.
A dedicated team of operatives is
working hard to clear the backlog
of repairs – we have contacted
those customers who have had
particular problems with the
service to apologise and ensure the
repair is carried out as promised.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding at this time. We
appreciate that some of you have had poor experiences from the Circle
Housing Repairs and Maintenance service and our contractor Kier, and
we are doing everything we can to resolve it.
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Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Customer Services
Offering excellent customer service – its official
In July we were awarded a Government standard for
customer service excellence.
Our customer service team was assessed and had to show that we are
creating services that are efficient, effective, excellent, equitable and
empowering – with the customer at the heart of service provision.
The assessor spoke to residents
and staff, as well as looking at
paper evidence, listening to calls
and observing our services. The
assessor said we had a very strong
customer ethos, team work and
customer service.
Our customer services team
manager Joanne Lawlor said:
“We are committed to delivering
an excellent service with customers
and people at the heart of all we
do, this award is testament to the
team’s hard work.”
Measure
Targets
April
May
June
July
Calls Answered
94%
80.4%
96.3%
99.2%
98.4%
% All Calls
Answered
within 30
Seconds
75%
47%
88%
97%
96%
Average Queue
Time Seconds
30
Seconds
164
Seconds
22
Seconds
9
Seconds
12
Seconds
Thank you for your patience…
You said you were having difficulty reaching us, so we listened and as
a result of your feedback we reviewed our processes and adjusted our
team structure. The chart opposite shows how our performance has
improved month on month since April. We will keep you updated on our
performance in future editions of Home Matters.
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Home Matters | Autumn 2014
www.circle.org.uk
Get On Track
Do you need support to find the
right job or training?
Our employment and training team can help. The Get On Track
programme is exclusively for our residents to access the right sort of jobs
and training with real prospects.
Get On Track can help you
improve the lives of you and
your family.
Our mission is Enhancing Life
Chances. One of the ways we do
this is by supporting our residents
to find suitable sustainable
employment.
BENEFIT HEALTH CHECK
Did you know we have our own team of Benefit and
Money Advisors who can give you a welfare benefit
health check.
Our advisors provide tailored support over the phone or can visit you at
home providing you with specialist financial support and advice.
What our
residents say…
We can offer you:
•advice and guidance
•training and job search support
•help with writing CVs and
interviews
•help to find suitable child
care and travel costs to attend
interviews and training.
The scheme is a
wonderful idea and
I’m very grateful to
Circle Housing Circle 33
for supporting me to
achieve my goal.
The advisors can provide you with information, advice and
guidance on:
• Challenging benefit decisions
• Benefits advice and calculations
• Other money matters
• Budgeting advice
If you would like to make an appointment to speak to one of our Benefit
and Money Advisors, please contact the Customer Service Team on
0300 456 3000 or email us on [email protected].
30
I am very grateful
for all this support, I
can definitely say my
life has changed.
31
www.circle.org.uk
Contact information
Customer Contact Centre and
repairs including emergency out
of hours
Tel 0800 073 0417
or 0300 456 3000
Fax 0207 447 3049
Email C33customerservicesteam@
circle.org.uk
Minicom We welcome calls from
the text relay service: add 18001
before any of our phone numbers.
Out of hours anti-social
behaviour
Tel 0800 075 6699
Text ‘ASB’ and details to 80800
Email [email protected]
If you would like any debt advice
please contact Step Change
Debt charity
Tel 0800 138 1111
If you require this publication in large print,
audio, Braille or an alternative format, or you
need this document translated into a different
language, please call 0207 288 4000 and we
will do our best to help.

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