Hello!
We hope you are keeping safe and well. BITMO is run by a Board with a majority of Belle Isle tenants and has the aim of building a safer, stronger and greener Belle Isle. BITMO is accountable to you and so we are reporting on these important issues:
• BITMO’s Deborah Kelly updates you on positive developments
• BITMO’s GATE has reopened and is better than ever!
• Free half term food and activities at BITMO
• Belle Isle Gala 6 July at Windmill School
• Damp, mould and condensation video
• Tenant satisfaction report
• Evening support for your mental health
• Leeds City Council want your views on lettings, older people’s housing and a women’s centre
A positive mood at BITMO
BITMO Chief Executive Kelly reports on how BITMO:
• Is extending the repairs we do for tenants
• Gave warm goods to 114 Belle Isle households to help them through the winter
• Is now hosting the foodbank every Friday
• Helped residents to claim an extra £267,000 in income last year
• Has improved rent collection to be one of the best in Leeds
You can read about all of this plus more here.
BITMO’s GATE has reopened after three weeks with a new restaurant-standard kitchen. This meets modern fire regulations and will help the food safety trained volunteers to produce meals for the community three times a week. There’s also a private space now for phone calls or conversations.
Here is the GATE programme for February – with a lot of the regular sessions plus the repair café on Saturday 17 February, healthy heart checks every Tuesday afternoon, a women’s mental health group at 1.15 on Thursdays and a free play “The Light House” at 7.30pm on Thursday 22 February.
 There is a membership system for BITMO’s GATE which was suspended for Covid, but is being brought back now. To use the GATE you will need to be a member, which is free and open to anyone. Here are three reasons why membership is coming back:
- The GATE is funded by BITMO’s Board and the membership system allows us to tell them how many people are using the GATE and for what reason.
- Leeds Libraries, who supply our computers and Wi-Fi, require users to agree to their terms of usage.
- We ask what you are interested in. If we find enough other people interested in the same thing we can help arrange a group or session about it.
You can fill in the form on paper or online at the GATE, or online here.
The Belle Isle Gala is back! It’s being held from 12-3pm at Windmill School on Saturday 6 July. There will be four giant inflatables from Breeze and a climbing wall, entertainment, displays by local sports and dance groups and affordable food.
Can you help? This could be anything from helping to plan, to running an event at the Gala to litter picking on the day. You could have a stall for your small business, club or sports team. Please call Tracey on 07891 270094 or fill in this online form.
The next planning meeting will be held at BITMO’s GATE on Saturday 17 February at 3pm. Please come and help make the Gala a success.
Calling all dog lovers! Would you like to see a fun dog show at the Gala? Planning meeting for the Belle Isle dog show on Saturday 17 February at 2pm at BITMO’s GATE.
You can help reduce condensation and mould in your home by doing a number of simple, cost-free things. This video shows how you can help cut down on condensation in your home. If you are concerned about damp or mould in your home please report it to us.
How satisfied are you with the way BITMO manages your home and Belle Isle as a whole? Leeds City Council does regular surveys of their tenants and BITMO tenants. Thanks to everyone who has taken part. The answers help Leeds and BITMO improve services. You can read more about it here. Here are the latest results for BITMO and Leeds.
 Some results are based on small sample sizes which can lead to a margin of error.
For anyone who needs support for thoughts of depression, loneliness, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide on an evening. The Here For You now offers a phone line you can call from 6pm to midnight every night of the year. Call the Leeds team on 07760 173476.
Leeds City Council and BITMO are considering making changes to who can join the housing register and how we let our homes. This is due to the increased demand for social housing. We are considering changes so that:
- Offers are made to those in highest need.
- We make best use of available homes, particularly larger properties.
- We give realistic advice and information about who is likely to be offered a home and be re-housed.
Before we make any changes, we want to take your views into account. Visit Your Voice Leeds to read more and complete the survey.
Our Retirement Life service supports older people to live independently in their home. We do this in Retirement Life (sometimes known as ‘sheltered’) schemes on the estate. Our Support Officers or Wardens are available to provide regular well-being checks, with choice given to residents on how we do this, to suit their needs. Leeds City Council and BITMO are asking anyone aged 45 or over, to help us improve the service that we offer to current and future residents. Visit Your Voice Leeds to read more and complete the survey
Leeds City Council have a live survey asking if Leeds needs a Women’s Centre. You can take part by clicking this link.They want to hear from as many women as possible – and from as diverse a range as we can so they appreciate you taking the time to do this.
And finally ….
You will soon be getting letters confirming the changes to your rent and service charges for 2024/25. Watch out for these coming through your letter box in a couple of weeks’ time. If you claim Universal Credit, please read the section on when to update your online account.
Please remember, if you are struggling to pay your rent, please speak to us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there is lots of advice and support we can give.
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
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