In this Newsletter:
Interested in our Independent Living Accommodation?
 Visit our Independent Living schemes this October to see what they can offer you, your family or friends.
Get the opportunity to tour the scheme, meet current tenants and discuss how to apply with Officers.
- Tuesday 1 October from 10am - 12pm at Venn Court, Beeston, NG9 1HF
- Wednesday 9 October from 1pm - 3pm at The Glebe, Eastwood, NG16 3HD
- Tuesday 15 October from 11am - 1pm at Lombardy Lodge, Toton, NG9 6EE
There will also be stalls from different agencies and the community to share information about the support they can offer in the local area. These include: Housing and Health, Home Instead, Helpful Bureau, Inspire Learning and People Plus.
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The Mayor and Tenants Celebrate New Communal Lounge
 This Summer the tenants and staff at Templar Lodge welcomed the Mayor of Broxtowe, Councillor Sue Paterson, to officially reopen their new lounge area at the Independent Living Scheme in Beeston.
A few months ago, tenants got together to decide how they would like their new communal lounge to look. They were given different options for seating, dining tables, coffee tables and a choice of colours for furniture and the walls. On Friday 6 September, the mayor officially opened the lounge with a few words and the cutting of the red ribbon and was able to stay and chat with the tenants.
Once the festivities were over, tenants were able to test out their new furniture as Sycamore Dining Lunch club came to serve some tasty lunches!
With thanks to the Activities Coordinator in supporting the tenants’ choices and organising the event, the tenants felt listened to and are enjoying the new lounge they had chosen.
Lindsay, Activities Coordinator says 'The reopening of the lounge at Templar Lodge was really successful, with 18 attending the event. The tenants are delighted with the new furniture and redecoration of the room, and was it delight to have the Mayor attend and officially open the lounge!’
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Paralympic Excitement at Independent Living
 Enthusiasm for sport this summer is evident everywhere and our Independent Living schemes are no exception.
Boccia is a precision sport, similar to bowls and recognised as a Paralympic sport. It was originally designed to be played by people with cerebral palsy but is a great sport for anyone that would enjoy a leisurely, seated version of bowls.
Inspired by the Paralympics, tenants at Templar Lodge (before the new lounge) gave their take on Boccia in and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
If you want to see how the professionals do it, you can catch up on Boccia at the Paralympics on BBC IPlayer. Or if you want to know how Great Britain did, see the link below
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Pop Ups FAQs
 Thank you to everyone who came to visit Housing at the Pop Up events throughout the Borough.
Questions we have been asked include:
Q) How does the banding system work when applying for Council Housing?
Your housing application will be assessed in accordance with the Housing Allocations Policy and you will be awarded into a band according to your current housing circumstance and housing need. This ranges from Band 1 (urgent priority) to Band 4 (lowest priority). This system gives applicants with the greatest need the highest priority for rehousing. Once an applicant has been assessed, the applicant will not move to another Band unless there is a change in the applicant’s circumstances. When allocating a property the property is given to the applicant in the highest band that has been waiting the longest.
Q) Why have some Independent Living Council properties been redesignated to General Needs?
It is important for the Council respond to housing needs throughout Broxtowe and get the most out of existing Council housing stock. About a quarter of our properties are Independent Living but they represent a smaller proportion of our housing register. Since social housing is in such high demand, in order to allocate properties to those in most need it is sometimes necessary to house families in areas traditionally reserved for older people.
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Money Advice - Success!
 Following a conversation at one of our Pop Up Events, Housing signposted a tenant towards our Financial Inclusion Officers.
The Financial Inclusion Officer made contact with the tenant and discovered that they had made an overpayment on their housing benefit and secured them a £358.98 refund.
They provided further financial advice that also saved her £369 per month!
Our Financial Inclusion Service offers free, confidential and impartial advice and advocacy to tenants on benefits, making sure you’re claiming all you’re entitled to and help with benefit forms. They can also help with debts from preparing financial statements and offering budgeting advice, to advice around debt management.
Contact the team at financial.inclusion@broxtowe.gov.uk or call 0115 917 3658.
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Housing's Community Fund
Get those applications in! We are seeing a wide range of applications being submitted and we don't want you to miss out on the chance to build a better community.
Housing can award grants of up to £1000 per application.
Funding can be granted for a variety of projects and activities including workshops, practical equipment and community events. This can be anything from repair workshops and community gardens to digital initiatives and artistic projects.
For more information, guidelines and the application form, see the link below.
If you have not applied for something like this before and would like to discuss it, please contact Housing Engagement on 0115 917 3935 or housingengagement@broxtowe.gov.uk
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World Homelessness Day
 On October 10, 2024, people around the world will observe World Homeless Day, while working to prevent and end homelessness and alleviate the suffering of those experiencing it.
If you are homeless now, or are threatened with being made homeless within the next 56 days, contact the Housing Options Team as soon as possible.
The team can help you by:
- Assessing your current housing situation
- Advising on steps to avoid homelessness and stay in your home
- Making referrals to specialise support organisations in certain circumstances
- Getting support from accommodation services
- Making referrals for supported housing
- Making a plan to work towards finding a permanent home.
For more information, visit
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Support for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises in Broxtowe
 Broxtowe Borough Council’s grant of over £20,000 has helped Nottingham Community and Voluntary Services (NCVS) to employ a dedicated officer to support Broxtowe-based groups to develop and grow.
The funding will help NCVS to support more than 20 organisations on a one-to-one or small group basis. As well as allowing access to over 30 training courses for 50 organisations.
For more information see link below
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Where are Housing this October?
Tenant Information Network
Join us for our next Tenant Information Network on Thursday 10 October at Bexhill Court, Central Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 3QE from 5.30pm - 7pm.
Hear what's currently happening within housing, share you thoughts on different services areas and hear how you can join the complaints panel or Scrutiny Group (service review).
Special Guest - Severn Trent
We’re also pleased to announce that a speaker from Severn Trent will be attending to share information about all things water!
Tenants and Leaseholders' Complaints Panel
You are invited to our Complaints Panel on Wednesday 16 October from 10am - 12pm at Council Offices, Foster Avenue, Beeston.
We will provide examples of complaints that have already been through the process to encourage discussion around the Council's response and alternative remedies.
By bringing your views and experience we hope to learn from complaints to improve our services and empower tenants and leaseholders.
A tenant who attended the first panel said 'It was extremely interesting and everyone shared their views. It was great to gain insight into the complaints and the types of decisions that are made.'
If you are interested in being part of the Complaints Panel please contact the Engagement Team on 0115 917 3935 or email housingengagement@broxtowe.gov.uk
Chilwell Housing Drop In
Come to our 'Housing Drop-In' offering tenancy and rents advice.
Council tenants are invited to meet their Housing Officer, Income Collection Officer and Lettings Officer in their local area to discuss issues and ask questions around their tenancy.
- Thursday 24 October 2024 from 8:30am - 10:30am at St. Barnabas Church, Inham Nook, NG9 4HU
Neighbourhood Inspections
Broxtowe Borough Council tenants and leaseholders are invited to Neighbourhood Inspections with Housing Officers in their local area.
Have your say on what matters most to you, such as highlighting areas that may require improvement, ensuring areas with Council housing in the Borough are kept tidy, fly tipping is removed and repairs are reported.
This month, join us at:
- Inham Nook, Chilwell 9am, Wednesday 9 October
- Ribbesdale Court, Chilwell, 10:30am, Wednesday 9 October
- Central Avenue, Beeston, 10am, Friday 18 October
- Faraday Court, Stapleford,10:30am, Wednesday 23 October
- Albert Street, Eastwood, 10am, Thursday 24 October
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