8 Celebrating our award winners
4 Sharing our homeownership priorities
6 Helping you Be Well
Spring 2022
How we’re helping residents
Our range of free wellbeing services
Meet our new Executive Director of Housing Services
Join our resident involvement groups
Sharing your passions
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Hello and welcome... …to Life, our resident magazine.
with five regional heads of housing, and 16 operations managers leading the area managers in their districts. I hope the worst of the pandemic is now behind us, so I’ll be looking to evolve our service. I want to ensure resident opinions and changing needs inform its development and hope you’ll share your views. Offering an inclusive service is also important, I’m looking forward to hearing views from our new Minority Ethnic and Sensory Awareness resident groups (see page 11). Congratulations to our Loving Later Life Award winners (pages 8-9). If their
stories spark your interest, check out details of our Be Well offer, which has plenty of ideas to help you look after your wellbeing. I hope you enjoy this issue and you can share your feedback on it using the details below.
I ’m delighted to have joined the Anchor team. In the housing service this includes Sarah Chatfield Director of Homeownership, Graeme Hall Director of Customer Services and I’m currently recruiting to the vacant director of rented housing position. With just over 48,000 properties to manage, last summer we established dedicated rented and homeownership teams,
Suki Jandu Executive Director – Housing Services
Our thanks to Residents’ Council Wellbeing Lead Ann Stephens and fellow resident Muriel McNulty from Stevenson Court in Bolton for featuring on the cover.
Life magazine is available in print, or online at www.anchor.org.uk/resident- publications, so everyone can enjoy reading it how and when they want to. Please speak to your local manager if you need audio or large print versions. Anchor is the trading name of Anchor Hanover Group, which is a charitable housing association with registered society No 7843. Registered Provider No. LH4095. *There are several different phone numbers within this magazine. Calls to 0800 and 0300 numbers are usually free. Please check with your phone provider as charges for calls to other numbers may vary or be included within your call package. Send your feedback about Life magazine to: life@anchor.org.uk or write to: Life, Anchor, 2 Godwin Street, Bradford, BD1 2ST
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Financial first aid I t’s difficult to avoid news about the increasing cost of living. We’re working hard to make sure our services provide value for money. Whether that’s monitoring the energy market and buying at the best price or using our size to get a good deal from contractors. We know many of our residents are trying to make their money go further. Here are some helpful steps you can take today.
I’m struggling to pay my rent/ service charge If you have one, your local manager is always the best person to talk to in the first instance. Through Be Wise, our advisors can offer a benefit health check and help you claim, as well as help with complex benefit queries. Or if you prefer, for tips, our online benefits calculator and more visit www.anchor.org.uk/finance
With rising energy prices, I’m worried about heating my home While recent increases in wholesale gas prices mean the usual energy deals and price comparison options aren’t currently available, Be Wise can help you with any energy billing issues, meter problems, available grants and energy saving tips.
Check out page 7 for more about the free and confidential support Be Wise can offer including, Money and Energy Wise.
Money Wise Energy Wise Insurance Wise
If worrying about your finances is having a detrimental effect on your mental and physical wellbeing, our Be Well initiatives on the same page could help too.
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Investing in our homeownership service
S arah Chatfield, Director of Homeownership shares details of our homeownership priorities for the next two years with the aim of developing the service. we know it’s important to them that: • Ttheir estate is safe and secure, with someone to help in an emergency or if they need support • The service charge they pay is spent wisely, and the services represent value for money From listening to our homeowners, • We oversee repairs and other local services (e.g. gardening) to ensure contractors perform to an agreed standard • We keep residents informed about things affecting them and involve them in decision making Acting on homeowners’ views and listening to colleagues, we’ve identified four key priorities: 1. Develop a clear service offer for our homeowners • Explain our service offer and the elements homeowners can influence • Provide relevant, accurate and easy to understand information on
our services including a review of our website and homeownership handbook • Fully inform new residents about our service offer before they buy • Provide first class support to residents whether selling, extending their lease, or seeking permission for property alterations or improvements
Resident handbook Homeownership
Our updated handbook is now available online www.anchor.org.uk/resident- publications
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2. Develop the skills and abilities of our people • Enable our people to undertake professional qualifications to acquire the knowledge and skills to provide the right advice and support to residents • Provide training to keep our people’s knowledge up to date, so they can help our retirement communities and residents stay safe and secure • Embed the delivery of consistently high-quality service to residents at the heart of our people’s roles 3. Ensure our services remain affordable and sustainable • Produce realistic and accurate service charge budgets to minimise surplus and deficits • Review service charge expenditure monthly and share data regularly with Residents’ Associations if required • Review local manager hours to ensure they are accurate • Review local contracts regularly to achieve the best value for residents • Ensure sinking/reserve funds are
accurate and sustainable • Refer residents to our Be Wise service for advice on energy providers, insurance and maximising state benefits 4. Ensure homeowners’ views shape the service we deliver locally • Listen and act on resident feedback e.g. through our Be Involved resident involvement groups • Increase opportunities for engagement using different methods • Encourage local involvement in decision making and keep residents informed • Consider the introduction of a national Homeownership Forum You may have seen on the news that leasehold reform is very much on the government’s agenda. We’re watching developments closely to be ready to react to any changes and, where possible, we’re already being proactive. Look out for more details on the service offer later this year.
6 Love living in later life with
L ots of us they want help to stay active, healthy and feel part of their retirement communities. That’s why we offer our Be Well residents tell resident wellbeing services - as well as involvement opportunities through our Be Involved groups.
Be Active is our online wellness and movement programme to support residents in taking care of their own physical health and wellbeing, increasing their mobility and independence in the process. There’s a range of videos, podcasts and printed exercise leaflets, teaching simple exercises, yoga, movement to music, as well as seated accessible routines - all designed to improve strength, co-ordination and balance.
We offer support to get online, to help you stay more connected with friends and family and make daily life easier. Be Digital has something for everyone. We can help if you don’t have Wi-Fi or need to borrow tablet devices and training materials as an individual or residents’ group. Or use your skills to support other residents to learn to use new technology by becoming one of our digital volunteers.
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As social creatures, simple interactions with others often make our day and lift our spirits but sometimes circumstances can make it hard to make friends or stay in touch with others. Be Connected is an easy way to connect and make friends with Anchor residents across the country, without leaving home. • For a good chat and to hear from guest speakers, join our virtual coffee mornings online or by phone, at 11am every Tuesday • If you feel lonely, Reengage provide free and friendly phone calls . Ask your local manager or our Customer Centre on 0800 731 2020* to arrange for Reengage to contact you and get things started
It’s never too late to try or learn something new. That’s why, with feedback from residents in our pilot scheme, we created Be Skilled - an exclusive online learning resource for our residents. Offering a variety of online courses - from poetry to food hygiene, Be Skilled makes it easy to try something new or rediscover something old, at a pace that suits you.
Offering a range of free and confidential services, Be Wise provides practical assistance and support to help you make the most of your money. Whether it’s a benefit health check, help with a benefit claim, energy billing issues and meter problems or bespoke contents insurance policies for Anchor residents. Call Be Wise free on 0800 023 4477* (9am to 5pm Monday- Friday) or look online at www.anchor.org.uk/ be-wise
For more about Be Well go to www.anchor.org.uk/be-well or email BeWell@anchor.org.uk or call Becci Lynch on 07483 911705* .
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Our Loving Later Life Awards After relaunching our Loving Later Life Awards and our judges working through the mountain of nominations, we’re delighted to introduce you to the winning residents who are making a real difference in their Anchor community. The Greatest GRANDPARENT(S) Neighbour LIKE NO OTHER
Mr and Mrs Stridgen from Ford Gardens, Rochdale were nominated by their local manager Lynzie Baker for their continued support during the pandemic. From planting fruit and vegetables and organising afternoon teas, to delivering salad bags to residents, making scones and even hosting sign language lessons – contributions Lynzie knows residents appreciate. “I am honoured to have these residents living at my estate.”
Geraldine Harris from Camberley Close, Northampton was nominated by her daughter because she is like a parent to her grandchildren, telling them stories and guiding them through life. The head of the family with 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, it’s a role Geraldine revels in. “One of my greatest pleasures is a family get together and watching the future generations grow.”
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Pawsome PET Several residents nominated Dylan, who lives with his owner at Bridgewood Lodge, Heywood as being a credit to his owner, Jean Rosser, by keeping everyone’s spirits high during the pandemic and bringing joy to the whole retirement community. Jean said: “I am so really Digital DYNAMO Gill Hayton at Denham Garden Village, Uxbridge was nominated by her friend for supporting several friends and neighbours by teaching them basic IT skills, like safe shopping and joining an e-library. “I have worked with computers for many years and I am convinced that, used safely, they can open up many possibilities for all of us.”
COVID CHAMP An impressive 12 reasons were in the nomination made by a friend of Lenny Henry at Hanover House, Folkestone. Lenny has
been shopping for vulnerable neighbours, taking neighbours out for a treat after lockdown and checking all the residents were okay.
Avid LEARNER
Ruth Rowlands from Hanover Close, Bradford was nominated by her friend after completing an IT course at 88 years old
despite never using a computer before. When asked how she felt about winning, Ruth said: “I feel marvellous! I didn’t think I was that clever.”
proud of Dylan, I love him to bits, he is my soul mate. I am so pleased; this news has really lifted my spirits.”
It’s by having pet-friendly policies enabling residents to keep much-loved companions, like the ‘Paw’some Dylan, that’s seen us win the RSPCA’s Gold PawPrint award for a third year running. We believe pet ownership is beneficial to mental and physical wellbeing and are delighted to be able to accommodate pets in many of our retirement communities.
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Sharing your passions
S omeone painting is Geoff Brignall from Sorrell Court, Kingsteignton, Devon, who took it up as a hobby over thirty years ago. It’s something that’s really kept him going through the pandemic. “I have passionate about been a painter all my working life, spending the last eight years as a painting and decorating instructor at the MOD Resettlement Service at Catterick Garrison.”
Having written and shared stories about her culture in schools, thirty years ago Patsy founded dance group ‘The Caribbean Quadrille Dancers’ who performed in the national dress of Dominica. Following her move from London to Bradford in 2017, she established another Caribbean dance group which took part in the city’s centenary Windrush celebrations. Patsy’s endeavours have even been recognised with awards from the Dominican Government, and an interview aired on the ‘She Talks’ Bradford Community Broadcasting radio series.
Another resident featured on the airwaves is Hilary Stelling from Hanover Gardens in Mulbarton, Norwich. A chance remark about sending her beloved but broken menorah, an eight-branched candelabra used for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, to the BBC’s Repair Shop resulted in the menorah’s restoration and a television appearance. Filmed last February, there was much excitement for Hilary and her family when the episode aired in November. “Although I said I wouldn’t cry on TV, that’s exactly what I did. It has been a fantastic experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Patsy Peltier Scott from Hanover Close, Bradford has been passionately promoting her Dominican culture with others for years.
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Helping us understand our retirement communities W ould you like to input into how Anchor’s services and resources are made accessible and relevant to all our residents? As well as our Residents’ Council, we have a number of resident involvement groups (currently meeting online and by phone). These provide an opportunity to meet new people and share experiences, with more formal meetings to discuss housing and care issues faced by each group, to help shape the way we do things, such as colleague training. Two groups we’re seeking more members for are our LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and others) and Sensory Awareness groups. We’re also looking to form a new group representing residents from a diverse range of ethnicities. If you’d like to join any of these groups, please email ResidentEDI@anchor.org.uk or call 07890 030 063* during working hours.
Do you have a passion for fitness? Former fitness instructor and resident Terry Keen is a passionate supporter of Be Active and other initiatives to help residents keep moving in later life. We’d love to hear from other residents keen to share their fitness knowledge and passion to support future campaigns. Email BeActive@anchor. org.uk or call 07523 943501* if you’d like to get involved.
Byron Elliott, our Resident Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, works closely with and supports our resident involvement groups.
After undergoing an emergency triple heart bypass last year, we’re delighted to report Terry’s very much active again – with doctors attributing his successful recovery to how fit Terry’s active lifestyle had made him.
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Peace of mind with Anchor care homes
A requirement of 24-hour care doesn’t have to mean leaving Anchor. We have over 100 care homes across England, which provide residential care and care for people living with dementia. Limegrove care home in East Horsley, Surrey recently welcomed a new resident needing residential care from nearby Darfield Road, an Anchor leasehold housing location in Guildford. George Sargent, Deputy Manager at Limegrove is one of our dedicated colleagues helping to make moving easier. “We know residents and their families may have lots of questions and moving into care can be an emotional experience for everyone. We’re all happy to help with that process, from the initial enquiry to the day we welcome a new resident to Limegrove, to working hard to provide a real home
from home for all our residents.” Our care homes offer home-cooked food, free activities, Wi-Fi access, while pub or cafe areas, cinema and sensory rooms, hair and beauty salons and accessible gardening facilities are also available at some of our care homes – all designed to help residents continue to love living in later life. If you’d like to know more and what offers are available to welcome existing Anchor housing residents making the move to our care homes, please contact Rachel Dodd-Smith on 07483 946072* or email rachel.dodd-smith@anchor.org.uk
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