We are premiering the film at The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, Newport on Thursday, 24 November at 10.45am.
The film runs for 40 minutes with tea and coffee afterwards. You’ll be able to meet our teams and get a head start on getting settled in your new home.

To book your free place call Kelly on 01633 678503 or email kelly.major@charterhousing.co.uk

The packed agenda, which included presentations on time banking, Charter’s Youth Team and discussion on our tenant fun day was matched by impressive attendance from tenant and staff members. Launched last year, the FTP has already won a Wales-wide award from the Tenant Participation Service Cymru for the way it works with tenants.

Newport tenant member Maria Cairns is pleased with the FTP’s progress: “As we have got to know each better, the more information we get on the table. People are willing to help each other and it’s more interactive.”

The FTP influences Charter’s tenant strategy; staff and tenants train together and have the same opportunities to engage in the decision process. Tenants receive support and training, so they feel confident in making suggestions and choices.

This year the FTP will be raising money for south Wales charity Healing the Wounds, which will have a stand at Charter’s tenant fun day on Tuesday 23rd August at Newport Leisure Centre.

Always understand what your medicine is for and how to use it correctly, ask your GP or Pharmacist if you are unsure.

Tell your GP or Pharmacist if you have stopped taking a medicine, this will ensure unwanted medicines are not wasted and help health professionals plan the best treatment for you.

Before ordering a repeat prescription, ask yourself whether you actually need it and whether you intend taking it.

Don’t stock pile medicines, they could go out of date or be taken by a child.

Don’t share your medicines with others or take someone else’s medicines.

Take time to understand the side effects, the benefits and the risks of your medicine.

On admission to hospital always take your medicines with you.

REMEMBER!

Unwanted medicines cannot be reused or recycled, they have to be destroyed.

Only order what you need

SAFE RETURN OF WASTE MEDICINE

Return waste medicines to your local pharmacy or Dispensing GP for safe disposal.

Do not dispose of unwanted medicines in household waste or down the toilet.

For more information please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

Have you had a brainwave about how we can provide better services to you and to other tenants?

If so, why not tell us! We want to hear your suggestions, ideas or brainwaves.

It couldn’t be easier to tell us;

• Tell a member of staff
• Call us on 01633 212375
• Send us an email
• Complete our quick and easy on-line form

Over the next couple of months Charter has come up with its own version of the popular TV series, ‘Come Dine With Me’. Eight lucky tenants have the opportunity to learn how to cook healthily on a budget. After the meal has been cooked, tenants will discuss how different ingredients could have been added to the food or how it could have been cooked differently.

Over the next couple of months tenants will be cooking all sorts of meals based on different themes. Tenants have the opportunity to put forward their ideas and come to a decision on what they’d like to cook next!

The first session kicked off on Monday, 9 August with an Italian theme –Spaghetti Bolognese. The session went well and tenants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. So much so, the tenants are and are really looking forward to the next cookery session, which will be held on 27 August, at Malpas Court between 2.00pm-4.00pm. They’ve agreed to cook a Chinese meal where the heat is on to rustle up an authentic Chicken Stir Fry!

The DVD aimed to inform and encourage tenants to get involved and the group were shocked by some of the facts and figures quoted in the film. They agreed there was more that we could do together to tackle global warming and were keen to find a project to work on. The environment is one of our 5 hot topics launched, included as part of our tenant participation strategy, which has been acknowledged as an example of good practice in Wales.

If you would like to join the group or if you have an idea for an environmental themed project please get in touch.
Ailsa Yeoman-Evans Tenant Participation Manager on 01633 678503.

One Newport based housing and support provider, the Seren Group, are aiming to resolve this problem for their residents. They are currently developing groundbreaking new homes at Mariners Quay, alongside Newport’s river front. These new homes are specifically designed to substantially reduce utility bills, which could cost as little as £5.00 per week.

Developed in partnership with Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited, Leadbitter and the Welsh Assembly Government, the homes are being built in the historic area of Newport known as Old Town Dock.

Mariner’s Quay will provide over 100 homes for affordable rent through Charter Housing and for sale through the Newport City Living Home Ownership Scheme, operated by Fairlake. Properties will range from one and two bedroom apartments to family homes. The first homes will be ready this summer.

Innovatively built to incorporate the latest environmental technology, the new homes will include features such as triple glazing, water efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting to reduce mains water consumption, an on-site electricity generator and sun boxes to capture the warmth of the sun.

Mariner’s Quay is designed to achieve Level 5 rating under The Code for Sustainable Homes and, once completed, will be the largest scheme in Wales and one of the largest in the UK to achieve this rating. The new development will be at the forefront of 21st century living, encouraging a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Residents will receive a detailed ‘Green Guide’ and a personal consultation explaining how to get the best out of their cutting-edge new homes.

Scott Sanders, Director of Housing at Charter, part of the Seren Group, said “This is a very special development and particularly suitable for people who are looking for an affordable new home and who care about the environment. With construction well underway, Mariners Quay is already taking shape and we hope the exciting design and additional green features will be a flagship for new homes in the future”.

For further information about Mariner’s Quay contact:
Home Choice Team on 01633 678538 or visit www.fairlakeliving.co.uk

Following an office briefing session, the team descended onto Grosvenor Road with litter picks, high viz jackets, tea making facilities and sweets for the kids. At first it seemed it was going to be a quiet affair. How wrong could they be! The team knocked door to door and within an hour loads of children appeared to join in the litter pick. Rubbish filled two skips, a third skip was delivered and a Council van also made a few trips to the refuse site with large items such as beds and fridges. By late afternoon everyone was exhausted and happy to see the children off to a lunch and disco at the local community centre. This was their reward, together with lots of cream eggs, for their help in litter picking the estate and surrounding area.

All the partners involved agreed the clean up had been a great success. Not only did it get rid of a lot of rubbish from homes on the estate, but it highlighted the importance of disposing rubbish responsibly. It was also great to see the residents working together improving the environment in which they live.

Charter now offers a new Money Savers advice service to tenants, saving them thousands of pounds. Andrew Desmond and Michael Rosser provide face-to-face practical advice on a confidential and impartial basis, ranging from general information on energy suppliers to gaining access to bank accounts, savings and low cost loans, as well as everything else in between.

If you feel you would benefit from advice in any of the following areas, then please feel free to contact Andrew and Michael.

• Energy & Utility matters
• Household budgeting
• Making the most of your income
• Entitlements and benefits advice

Please feel free to come and meet Andrew and Michael who will present the benefits of the service and offer a question and answer session.