In this newsletter:
- COVID-19 - Stay up to date with changes
- Support during the pandemic
- Homesearch Website changes
- Talk Money Week
- Cold Weather Payments
- White Ribbon & 15 Days of Action
- NAPA Award - WINNERS
- Property of the Month
- Housing's Community Facebook Group
- World Kindness Day
COVID-19
Staying up to date
Check out the latest service changes in Housing by visiting our dedicated Coronavirus webpages.
They contain useful information on:
We also share daily updates on our social media accounts .
Support to get essential supplies
Support to get essential supplies
If you are vulnerable and need help to get food, medicine or community support, please get in touch with the Nottinghamshire Community Support Hub www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/coronaviruscommunityhub or call 0300 500 80 80
Financial support
In some circumstances, if you are required by law to self-isolate, you may be supported by a payment of £500, payable from Broxtowe Borough Council. Find out more about this scheme and other financial support at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/testandtracepayment or call 0115 917 7777
Mental health
The impact of the pandemic on you and your loved ones and not being able to enjoy all of the activities you would normally be involved in can all have an impact on your health. It is important to remember to look after yourself. Useful resources to support you, your family and friends can be found at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/wellbeing or call the Nottinghamshire Mental Health Helpline between 9.00am and 1.00pm, seven days a week on 0300 555 0730
Homesearch Website Changes
The website that is used to apply for housing and bid for properties is changing in the coming weeks
What do you need to know?
Why is it changing?
The system is currently used in partnership with colleagues at Gedling Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council, the system will now be just for Broxtowe.
What does it mean for applicants?
The main change will be the address used to access the site. The current site is www.home-search.org.uk will be soon replaced by the new site www.broxtowe-home-search.org.uk. The way that some screens look is also changing. The way in which the system works however will remain largely unchanged.
Do applicants need to do anything?
Apart from noting the change of the website address, no.
Do applicants need to re-register?
No, applications will stay registered and will be moved from the old to the new without having to do anything more. There will be a very small number of applicants that will be contacted separately about their applications. The Lettings Team will be contacting these applicants individually.
Will logins change?
No, no changes to login details apart from the new website address.
Will banding change?
No, no changes are being made unless applicants have notified us of any changes to their circumstances.
Do offers of properties that have been made still stand?
Yes, the changes do not affect this
Some parts of the system after the change still reference Gedling and Rushcliffe, I thought that the system was just Broxtowe now?
Yes, we are aware of this. These will be phased out in the future
When will more details be available?
Further details about the change and dates these will be made, will be communicated with applicants over the coming weeks.
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9th - 13 November
 Talking openly about money is vitally important for our health, wealth and relationships. The effect of Covid-19 has made it more important than ever to start conversations about money.
Building money conversations into our everyday lives also helps us build financial confidence and resilience to face whatever the future throws at us.
If we’re not prepared, we can struggle to cope when an income shock happens or a life event changes everything.
So, if you need advice on money our Financial Inclusion Officers are here to help. You can talk to our Income Team for a referral on 0115 917 777 or visit our website for more information.
Cold Weather Payments
The cold weather payment is for residents if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. £25 is paid for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March 2020.
You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:
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White Ribbon Day
 As part of raising the profile of the important issue of Domestic Abuse we are currently making plans for “White Ribbon Day” on the 25th November 2020.
White Ribbon is a global movement and the campaign drives speaking to men and boys to educate them with the aim of ending male violence again women and girls and promoting the message of ‘no excuse against abuse’.
As part of our accredited status in previous years we have planned events in and around Broxtowe for the “White Ribbon Day” and subsequent 15 days of action to fulfil the “16 days of commitment” to the pledge. You might recall the “White Ribbon Day” event last year featuring our Refuse Team at the Kimberley Depot, proudly wearing their White Ribbon Badges and saying no to domestic abuse. This year we are understandably limited by the on-going COVID pandemic and therefore our white ribbon campaign is going digital!
The focus this year will be around media communications to motivate individuals to sign the White Ribbon promise online and become a voice for the White Ribbon movement. Plans so far include; Christmas Decorations in Beeston & Eastwood in the shape of a “White Ribbon” as a visual representation of our support across the borough, a video montage of employees and councillors reading the promise, a multi-agency collaboration on Broxtowe specific visual campaigns, local library and leisure centre promotion of reading literature and most importantly a virtual “White Ribbon Coffee Morning” via Microsoft Teams on the morning of the 25th November 2020: White Ribbon Day 2020, which will be attended by a representative from White Ribbon. Be sure to make contact if you would like to attend!
Our message is a simple one as we remain in uncertain times, be a voice, show your support and stand up for the cause of White Ribbon by signing the promise and advocating for the campaign.
For more information please visit the White Ribbon website; www.whiteribbon.org.uk
Activities Co-ordinators WINNERS of NAPA Award
We shared with you last month that our Activities Co-ordinators were shortlisted for a National Award. We’re pleased to announce that Nicky Gilmour and Lindsay Carter WON the Service Improvement Award from NAPA (National Activity Providers Association).
The awards were hosted virtually on Friday 3rd October.
This is great recognition for the excellent work they do in Independent Living. We are all very proud of them and the hard work they have carried out over the past 12 months to establish their new roles and service provision.
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Nicky said 'This award has definitely been a team effort and it was a fantastic surprise to win. I have been given tremendous support and guidance and this has enabled myself and Lindsay to embrace and develop our roles as Activities Co-ordinators.
I would also like to thank all the residents within the Independent Living Schemes for attending our activities and getting involved without their support we could not have won this award.'
The Service Improvement award is to celebrate those who’ve demonstrated a proactive approach to improving individual’s wellbeing regularly through meaningful activities that are person centred. Creating an environment where individuals are engaged, stimulated and fulfilled.
Claire Reed, Engagement Manager said: “I’m so delighted for Nicky and Lindsay; they have worked so hard over the last year to establish the service and truly deserve this recognition. They are highly professional and skilled individuals who care deeply about the service they provide to customers and strive to bring about positive changes for customers. I’m looking forward to supporting them to further develop the service and seeing what fresh and innovative ideas they come up with for future plans.”
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Property of the Month
Southfields Court
Close to Beeston with great transport links.
- Private accommodation with fitted kitchen and bathroom
- Onsite Parking
- Lift
- 24hr Pull Cord System
- Social Activities
- Laundry Room
- Communal Lounge with kitchen
- Pets Allowed (permission needed)
- Guest room available for family and friend visits at a low rate
- Personalised contact with Independent Living Co-ordinators
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Housing's Community Facebook Group
 Are you part of the conversation?
Have you joined Housing’s new Facebook Group? If not, you're missing out on sharing your ideas on how to improve our services. One of our questions we're currently asking the group is:
'We’re looking at the possibility of having a Customer Portal for customers of Housing. On this portal you will be able to view your rent account, report repairs and update your tenancy details online. Is this something you would use if it was available?'
What would your answer be? Join the group and have your say!
A reminder that when you request to join you MUST answer all the questions to join the group. If not, your request will be declined.
This will make sure only our Housing Customers are accepted and help to ensure the group is a safe and welcoming environment.
Friday 13th November
Humans spend so much time and energy focusing on the negatives that affect us. When a moment of kindness appears, it’s as if a fog has been lifted... just for a moment. It’s lovely. It makes us feel good. We smile. And now, more than ever we need think about being kind to each other and ourselves.
So here are a few tops tips to get you smiling and feeling good:
- Check on your neighbour. How are they doing?
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Do it online: this will save time, fuel and save the planet!
- Become a telephone befriender for The Helpful Bureau
- Shop small: It supports a business and a dream
For lots more ways to be kind visit the Random Acts of Kindness website.
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Please share the information in this email bulletin with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to help us pass on these important messages, particularly if they're not online.
Please also encourage anyone who isn't already subscribed to this Email Me Service to sign up at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/emailme so they can receive these updates.
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