We have brought along athletes and Olympic sports personalities Jamie Baulch and Matt Elias to provide an interactive and motivational talk on the day.

Everyone can benefit from being active and/or playing sport. It can make a massive difference to young people’s motivation, direction for future training and work opportunities, and help them realise their full potential.

The format for the day will be :

• All young people will receive their own personal photograph taken with Jamie
• Matt and Jamie will lead an interactive coaching session which will be inspirational and a lot of fun
• Jamie will tell his story of his journey to success that can help young people realise their own dreams
• There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. Charter staff will be on hand to chat individually with young people and help to take any personal action plan forward
• Lunch and refreshments will be available on the day

Gareth Jones, Charter’s Youth and Community Development Officer, said “We know that with fewer jobs out there and increasing financial pressures in the communities we work, it can be difficult for young people to remain motivated or reach their full potential. That is why we decided to put on this fantastic event.”

If you know of any young people who may be interested in this event please contact Gareth Jones on 01633 678514 or 07837 033112 or email gareth.jones@charterhousing.co.uk

• Free money advice
• Families in crisis: we can help
• Where the wild things are: animal rescue
• New pages for older tenants
• WIN £50 Amazon vouchers!

Plus a whole lot more. You can download the edition using the link below (you’ll need Adobe Acrobat to read the magazine).

Good health, access to training and independence for older people were some of the subjects under the spotlight at the Senedd on Wednesday 11 January.

Age Alliance Wales brought together over 60 older people from across Wales to Cardiff Bay to talk to their Assembly Members about the issues that matter to them.

Sarah Rochira, Age Alliance Wales’s Chair and Chief Executive of RNIB Cymru says:

“Age Alliance Wales is a coalition of national organisations that works together, with and for older people across the country.

“With Wales’ ageing population – which is ageing more rapidly than that of the rest of the UK, it is vital that Welsh Government policies reflect and effectively meet the needs of older people. We have much in Wales to be proud of but also much that we urgently need to address.

“Creating opportunities for older people to influence government is an important part of the process

“This is why we organised this event to give older people the chance to tell their Assembly Members about the realities of being an older person in Wales today.”

Chris Jones, Age Alliance member and managing director of Care & Repair Cymru said: “We know from 25 years experience of helping older people repair and adapt their homes that a warm, safe and secure home significantly contributes to a person’s health and wellbeing. Helping older people remain safely in their own home for as long as possible not only helps save money for both the NHS and social care budgets, but it is what older people tell us they want. We hope that hearing directly from older people about what services work and what can be improved, will help AMs when they are developing future policies which will impact on our ageing population.”

Mr and Mrs Jones from Newport attended the event. They both have major physical disabilities and health issues. Newport Care & Repair have worked with this couple since 2007 and have completed major adaptation works under a Disabled Facilities Grant including a level access shower, curved stair lift and ambulant steps to the front access of the property.

Mrs Jones (82) said: “I would like to thanks Newport Care & Repair for their sensitive approach to my practical needs; their friendly and helpful advice has given me renewed confidence – I feel 10 years younger! Games – Olympics – bring them on! Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

• work with, and for older people through the co-operative use of the knowledge and expertise contained within the membership of Age Alliance Wales.

For more information on Age Alliance Wales, visit www.agealliancewales.org.uk

We have a range of free weekly activities taking place in the following locations – just ‘drop in’ any time between the advertised times:-

Barrackswood, Newport
Community Flat (The Bunker)

Coffee, Tea and Chat
Tuesdays 1pm – 2.30pm (starting on the 24.01.2012)
An opportunity for all ages to get to know your neighbours better over a cuppa. We can provide free internet access and show you how computers can help you in all sorts of ways
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk or Louise.Kingdon@charterhousing.co.uk

The Zone
Tuesdays 3.15-5.15pm (starting 25.01.2012)
Drop in for 8 – 15 year olds with fun activities and free internet/computer access
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk or Gareth.Jones@charterhousing.co.uk

Little Pebbles – Parent & Toddler Group
Wednesdays 12.30 – 2.15pm
For mums and dads and their children (0-3year olds). Come and join us for fun over a cuppa and to make new friends.
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk or Helen.Butler@charterhousing.co.uk

Fairview
Community House

Little Pebbles – Parent & Toddler Group
Thursdays 10am – 12pm
For mums & dads and their children (0-3year olds). Come and join us for fun over a cuppa and to make new friends.
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk or Helen.Butler@charterhousing.co.uk

Craft Afternoon
Thursdays 1pm – 3pm
An opportunity for all ages to get to know your neighbours better over a cuppa whilst enjoying a range of craft making activities.
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk

The Zone
Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm
Drop in for 8 – 15 year olds with fun activities and free internet/computer access.
Contact: Monika.Houston@charterhousing.co.uk or Gareth.Jones@charterhousing.co.uk

The Internet Cafe
Fridays 10am – 12 noon
An opportunity for all ages to learn more about computers and the internet (from beginners upwards) in an informal setting over a cuppa and chat.
Contact: Louise.Kingdon@charterhousing.co.uk

Mariners Quay, Newport
Community Room

Computers, Cuppa and a Chat
Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm (starting 01.02.2012)
An opportunity for all ages to get to know your neighbours better over a cuppa. We can provide free internet access and show you how computers can help you in all sorts of ways.
Contact: Louise.Kingdon@charterhousing.co.uk

For further details on any of the above contact the Community Regeneration Team on 01633 678 514

For updates follow the Community Regeneration on Twitter: @ComRegenCharter

This successful service has recently been evaluated independently by Cordis Bright Consulting, the report provides an initial outcome evaluation of Lasting Solutions FIP, including early evidence on the cost effectiveness and cost efficiency of the FIP. The evidence in this evaluation supports the following conclusions:

Conclusion 1 – Outcomes: Lasting Solutions is achieving many positive outcomes for families.

Conclusion 2 – Cost effectiveness: Lasting Solutions offers exceptional value for money, offering a net rate of return on investment of 426%.

Families referred to the project will have reached a ‘critical’ stage in that they may be about to lose their home, or children may be at risk of being taken into care. There may already be a number of services involved with these families and the FIP is not seeking to duplicate services but to link with existing services, partnerships and problem solving groups. Please see the report to read more about the success this service is having across South East Wales.

You can download the FIP Evaluation Report here

So on Christmas day instead of flopping in front of the telly why don’t you help your granny get shopping online or teach your dad to Tweet!!

For more info on the campaign and what you can do check out #GoON #GiveAnHour, and the short link bit.ly/Give-an-Hour

Our Forward Together Panel (FTP) recently completed a review of our Tenant Participation Strategy and a new version has been submitted to the Welsh Government.

What’s new about our Strategy?

FTP told us that a priority for them was access information and activities that would help tenants manage their money; updates on Welfare Benefits and Reform, workshops on the impact of the Governments Work Programme, and developing our presence in social media, making ourselves more accessible to tenants.

We recognise that not all tenants have the time to get involved with us, but if you do there are lots of fun, interesting and engaging ways to have your say and get your voice heard.

If you would like a copy of our new Tenant Participation Strategy you can download it here:

Tenant Participation Strategy

If you would like to learn more about how to get involved, or become a member of our Forward Together Panel, contacts Ailsa on 01633 678503 or getinvolved@charterhousing.co.uk

From January 2012, the benefit system will be changing for most single tenants under the age of 35 living in private rented accommodation. This does not affect Charter tenants in this age group because it applies to Private Rented accommodation only; it is a change to Local Housing Allowance not Housing Benefit

The result will end in many people no longer being able to afford to pay their rent. People who were previously entitled to a self contained property will now only be able to afford shared accommodation.

There is every possibility that people may be struggling to find accommodation in your local area.

To combat this, the Rent-a-Room scheme is being rolled out across the UK. This is primarily aimed at those tenants who have a spare bedroom in their property, and who do not receive Housing Benefit to help pay for their rent

We are inviting you to share your thoughts and opinions about the Rent-a-Room scheme. Have you say by contacting us at: getinvolved@charterhousing.co.uk

We are offering you the chance to learn to dance in the New Year. Every month we will be holding a class with a qualified tutor who will teach you to Waltz, Jive or Foxtrot your way across the floor.

Not only will you learn who to dance and meet new people, but it will help you to burn off those Christmas mince pies!

It couldn’t be easier, the classes are free and we can help you with transport.

For more details or to book a place, contact Ailsa Yeoman-Evans on 01633 678503 or getinvolved@charterhousing.co.uk

At November’s Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Conference in Llandrindod Wells, FTP member, Paul McNab, presented a workshop about his experiences to social housing staff and tenants from all over Wales. Paul talked about what FTP means to him and his involvement in piloting our tenant assessor’s service reviews.

“I realise that I have to do my part to get the best out of being a tenant … I do need to get involved where I can and it is no good belly-aching from the sidelines anymore!”

Staff and tenants make up the FTP. They meet bi-monthly to review how Charter works with its tenants. Full training is provided, and FTP members meet new people, learn new things and make a difference to how Charter delivers its services.

Our next meeting will be held in the New Year, if you are interested please come and join us.

Interested in the Forward Together Panel? Visit our Get Involved page or contacts Ailsa Yeoman-Evans on 01633 678503 or ailsa.yeoman-evans@charterhousing.co.uk