BITMO News for Belle Isle Tenants - December 2023

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BITMO News for Belle Isle Tenants - December 2023

Hello!

Santa at BITMO

We hope you are keeping safe and warm.

In this email there are reports from our repairs and community development teams.

We also want to make sure you know that Santa has a present for Belle Isle kids at BITMO's GATE on Saturday 16 December at 1.30pm.


News from BITMO's Repairs Team

Your electrical test is a once every five-year test that we carry out to make sure the electrical wiring in your home meets national regulations. If your home is due, Leeds City Council will contact you to book a suitable time and date for Leeds Building Service to call and carry out the test. Your co-operation is appreciated.

As the festive season is now upon us, please be aware of the extra fire risk this can bring to your home. Having extra electrical items such as lights and Christmas decorations plugged in for long periods can cause overheating and an increased risk of fire. Also, more candles are lit at this time of year. Please remember to blow them out and do not put them near decorations or anything which can easily set on fire. Enjoy the festive season but please take all precautions to remain safe.

Our housing counter and phone service will be open as normal until 5pm on Friday 22 December and the out of hours emergency service will then be available on 0113 376 0499 until 9am on Wednesday 27 December for genuine emergencies only.

On Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29th December, the housing counter and the telephone service will be open 10am-4pm. The emergency service will then be available again until 9am on Tuesday 2 January.

Alex Orange

Alex Orange, BITMO's Head of Repairs, Maintenance & Investment


News from BITMO's Community Development Team

Here’s is the BITMO’s GATE programme for December.

BITMO's GATE December programme

Meet Santa and get a free present for all kids at BITMO’s GATE on Saturday 16 December 1.30pm. Terms and conditions apply. This is part of the Belle Isle repairs café. We now have three electrical/mechanical/ computer fixers and two textile fixers but are on the lookout for more - either experienced or willing to learn. We will be launching our tool library, where BITMO households can borrow gardening and DIY tools. We will also be joined by our repairs contractor Mears, who will be showing people basic repairs. We are also giving out free winter coats and other warm clothes and there will be a few stalls with goods on sale at reasonable prices. All this plus free toasties and hot chocolate!

There's a community Christmas meal on Thursday 21 December. It is free to BITMO households and there are sittings at 1pm and 4pm. As part of our partnership, the food is being prepared by the Welcome Centre at St John & St Barnabas Church. Please book by calling 0113 378 2190.

School holidays

There is free food available at BITMO’s GATE each working day of the school holidays from 27 December to 5 January with free activities on five of the days.

Wednesday 27 December—open 9am – 1pm. Toasties served 9.30am -12.30pm

Thursday 28 December—open 1pm – 7pm. Soup & toast served from 1pm. Family film show 4pm

Friday 29 December—open 9am-1pm. Breakfast plus family craft activity

Tuesday 2 January—open 1pm – 7pm. Hot meal 4-6pm. Indoor games 1.30-3.30pm.

Wednesday 3 January— open 9am-1pm. Toasties served 9.30am -12.30pm

Thursday 4 January—open 1pm-7pm. Sandwich packs at 1pm. Table tennis games with Ping Pong Pete 1.30-3.30pm

Friday 5 January—open 9am-1pm. Breakfast plus family craft activity

We are gathering information about food and warm space provision over the holidays in other Belle Isle community centres and churches, and as we get it we will add it on our website.

I wanted to let you know that BITMO’s GATE will be closed for 2-3 weeks from Monday 8 January. This is to allow us to extend the kitchen and bring it up to a restaurant standard. Our amazing food volunteers have been producing meals for the community out of what is a domestic kitchen. Some GATE sessions will be run from other venues, and some will close down. We will be in touch in January with more information about this.

An art and craft course will be run by Swarthmore College on Mondays in January and February at The Welcome Centre at St John & St Barnabas. It is for six weeks from Monday 8 January. Sessions are 10am-2pm and lunch is provided. To book your place please call Penny on 07438 666342.

arts and craft course

One More Thing ...

At BITMO we are able to do what we do because we are a tenant management organisation (TMO). If you want to know more about what a TMO is, please read this article in South Leeds Life– or get in touch to ask. Could you play a bigger part in the Belle Isle community - as a BITMO Board member or volunteer or getting involved with one of the other local community centres or organisations? Are you doing things in your street or neighbourhood already that you want to let us know about? Please contact BITMO’s Community Development Team by calling, texting or WhatsApp to Peter Sutton on 07891 274237.


Contact BITMO

To report a repair call 0800 389 5503 or 0113 378 2188

To make a rent payment, visit the BITMO website rent page or call 0113 378 2187

To report anti-social behaviour, call 0113 378 2181 or email asb.enquiries@belleisletmo.co.uk

If you have financial problems then please contact us for advice on 0113 378 2188 or bitmo.enquiries@belleisletmo.co.uk

Keep up-to-date with BITMO services and local news by visiting the BITMO Facebook Page and the BITMO website.


Belle Isle TMO works in partnership with Leeds City Council to serve the residents of Belle Isle estate.

Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation Limited                                     Registered under the Co-operative and Communities Benefit Societies Act No.29817R. Registered Office: Aberfield Gate, Belle Isle, Leeds, LS10 3QH