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Warm wishes to STAR Housing residents this festive season! From all of us at STAR Housing, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Nice to meet you
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Rebecca
ken part in our Those of you who have ta familiar with Cooking Workshops will be a, who has becc STAR Housing resident, Re training sessions. e th ith w t ou g in lp he en be tch up with We thought we would ca t more about her! Rebecca and find out a bi How did you get involved with OsNosh, Rebecca? I read about them in the newspaper and instantly felt a connection with the work they do. What kind of things did you do? I have experience in the hospitality industry, and I have culinary qualifications so I knew I would be able to help make a difference. I love being part of the Community Kitchen and all the different projects and support we run. Being able to come to work and do something you enjoy and are passionate about is a true blessing.
How did you end up leading the Cooking Workshops? I was delighted to move from being a volunteer to employed by OsNosh and this project was something I was very excited about as it addresses the issues around the cost-of-living crisis and I can use my skills to help others.
Thanks Rebecca, it was lovely to meet you and thank you for all you do!
Growing community through food | OsNosh.co.uk
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Customer Newsletter
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Customer Newsletter
BLOOMING
LOVELY
On the sunniest day in September, we had the wonderful job of giving out the prizes for the annual garden competition. With even more fabulous entries than last year Ayyaz Ahmed, Housing Manager, Julie Burton, Grounds Maintenance Team Leader and Pete Evans, Commercial Manager for Derwen College had the extremely hard job of choosing the winners for each category.
Best Gardenhs Mary Grif fit
unal Best Commle Roy Brad y 2
Best Container Sylvena Wellings
A huge thank you to everyone who took part. We loved looking at your beautiful gardens and can’t wait until next year!
Friendly Best WildlifeRay Eleanor ers
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Customer Newsletter
Bridgnorth
Cooking Workshop We are excited to bring you some great news. Earlier this year, STAR Housing began providing slow cooker workshops which were delivered in partnership with OsNosh, a community kitchen based in Oswestry. Our first seven workshops were held in Oswestry and its surrounding villages, and we have now taken the next successful step in hosting our first trial session in Bridgnorth on 17th November.
Jennifer Harris, one of the delighted participants said, “I saw the workshops advertised on Facebook and was hoping it would come to Bridgnorth. I had a great time, and it was good to get out and do something different”.
Residents who attended the workshop learned how to prepare a delicious stew, picked up tips on enhancing flavour and how to make their meals go further. This was not only a fun culinary experience but also an insightful educational event where attendees were educated on how to save energy costs when cooking.
We would like to take a moment to thank OsNosh and our Tenant Board Member, Eleanor, for collaborating with us on delivering the workshops this year and to everyone who attended and got stuck in!
Slow cookers were gifted to each attending household and are one of the most costeffective ways to cook, making it a beneficial gadget four our residents to have during the chilly months ahead.
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Success!
We also heard from David Blundell who also attended the workshop, saying, “It was excellent, I really enjoyed it.”
With the overwhelming attendance and response from our participants in Bridgnorth, we hope to carry out more sessions in the south of the county in the New Year.
We know how to
PARTY
Our Independent Living Communities have been busy organising their Christmas gatherings for the festive season ahead and are a great opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate. The best part is that the residents themselves get to decide how they want to use the budget. The planning process involves residents sharing their ideas with staff members, who then help them to organise and prepare for their activity. Residents can choose to have a traditional Christmas dinner, decorate the communal areas, or even plan activities such as games or karaoke. The goal is to create an inclusive and enjoyable event that reflects the wishes of the residents. This is a wonderful way to promote community spirit and encourage social interaction, especially during a period that can be a lonely time for some people. The Christmas parties are always a highlight of the year, and a great way to bring residents together in a fun and positive way.
Bridgnorth Invites You to their Annual Christmas Dinner Together at Christmas Bridgnorth is hosting their annual Christmas dinner for anyone who will be spending Christmas alone in Bridgnorth this year. If you or someone you know will be alone or isolated this Christmas, please book a place at the table and enjoy a warm welcome from the volunteers and hosts who make Together At Christmas a truly wonderful occasion.
To book please email admin@bridgnorthbaptist.co.uk or call 01746 768129.
Festive Activities in Oswestry OsNosh Community Kitchen in Oswestry has a range of festive activities planned from 18th -22nd December, including a Community Cafe serving festive food on December 20th, 21st & 22nd. For more details, visit their Facebook page at
facebook.com/osnosh
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Customer Newsletter
Award Winning Neighbours As part of our ten-year celebrations, we held our inaugural Customer Awards this year, focussing on the people who go that extra mile to make your communities special and wonderful places to live. We held an Afternoon Tea at the Albright Hussey and presented awards to some of the most exceptional residents we have been privileged to meet. These wonderful pillars of our community were nominated by their neighbours to show their appreciation for the love and support offered.
Congratulations to the Winners
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Timothy Mear
Ernest Wilkie
Ray Williams
Carole Depres
Jessica Randall
Shpresa Perry
Tony Perry
Marion Lees
Gareth Edwards
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Customer Newsletter
& p Dam Mould
Damp and mould can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor ventilation, condensation, leaks, and structural issues. Not only are they unsightly and unpleasant, but they can also cause health problems, such as respiratory issues and allergies.
Signs of damp and mould include: A musty smell in the affected area Stains or discoloration on walls, ceilings or floors Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper Visible patches of mould growth
Damp or wet patches on walls or floors Condensation on windows or other surfaces Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes
If you notice any signs of damp or mould in your home, please report it to us immediately. Our team will conduct an inspection, work with you to reduce moisture levels, preventing the situation from getting worse. Most importantly, we’ll work alongside our experts to identify the cause of the issue and provide a treatment plan to safeguard your health and create a safe, comfortable living environment. In the meantime, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the impact of damp and mould. These include trying to maintain a consistent temperature, as fluctuations can cause condensation to form, wiping down surfaces regularly to remove any excess moisture and avoiding drying clothes indoors. It is your responsibility to take steps to prevent damp and mould developing in your home. Remember, damp and mould can be prevented and treated. By taking the appropriate steps and reporting any issues to us, you can help ensure that your home is a safe and comfortable place to live, even during the colder months.
To report damp and mould in your home call 0333 321 2200 or report online at www.starhousing.org.uk/repairs-to-your-home/report-a-repair-form/
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Money Advice are here to help! Christmas can be a really hard time financially for a lot of people and the increased cost of living and rising energy costs are adding to these pressures. Our Money Advice team offer a free, confidential support service and can help you with all sorts of issues around finance, debt and benefits to make sure you are getting the money you are entitled to. The team are based between Oswestry and Bridgnorth and can meet you privately for a face-to-face chat.
If you are struggling, please know that you are not alone.The team have helped lots of people and they might be able to help you too.
Chris
re Money AdviceMTeoo am Leader
Get in touch by calling 0333 32 12 200 or email moneyadvice@starhousing.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Support Are you worried that someone you know may be being abused? Or, are you worried for yourself? It doesn’t have to be an emergency before you can find help. It’s important you tell someone, you are not alone. We are not a domestic abuse service but we can support you to get the help you need, you can also call the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service on 0300 303 1191 or visit their website at shropsdas.org.uk
Get involved with STAR We have lots of opportunities for you to get involved with us, from giving feedback, joining an area panel or supporting a neighbourhood project. Your involvement helps to shape and improve our services and makes a difference. Contact us at involvement@starhousing.org.uk
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Customer Newsletter
DON’T
MIST THIS
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for con densation in your home – there are some very sim ple steps you can do to keep your home conden sation free. Scan the code on the left to find our inf ormation leaflet or you can call us on 0333 32 12 200 for a hard copy.
If you have damp and mould in your ho me, please make sure you let us know.
You can report it – or any other repair – by reporting it online on our website, using the Ten ant Portal or by calling us on 0333 32 12 200.
is is h t n w o d s Fan nk i h t u o y n a cheaper th keeping a We know that times are tough now, but sation to a fan running will really help to keep conden ed to be kept minimum. Many modern fans are design in on your running 24 hours a day but are not the dra electricity that you would expect. and these, We use Vent Axia fans in your homes per year typically, cost between £1.27 - £1.96 depending on the fan and where it is. ly cost £95.05 In comparison, a tumble dryer will typical to never per year and if you ever needed an excuse .35 a year do the ironing again it can cost around £16 tle for your to use the iron! After all that, using the ket £18 a year! much needed cuppa can cost you nearly house safe Keeping your fan on can help keep your . and sound and won’t impact your budget 10
Getting up to date at the AGM We held our Annual General Meeting at the Wroxeter Hotel on 12 October to celebrate ten years of STAR Housing and a look to the future. We were delighted that so many residents, partners and stakeholders were able to attend to celebrate our achievements in improving housing locally. “We are proud to have provided affordable and sustainable housing to the rural communities in Shropshire over the past decade,” said Tony Deakin, our Chair of the Board. “The AGM was an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, share our successes, and plan for the future.” Shropshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Assets, Councillor Dean Carroll, works closely with STAR and said, “STAR has an excellent history of achievement and there are more good things to come.” Thank you to all who helped make it a successful day, we are looking forward to an even better 2024!
Christmas Closure This year our offices will be closing for Christmas on Friday 22 December, and we will reopen at 8.45am on Tuesday 2 January 2024. If you have an emergency during this time, please call the usual number 0333 32 12 200. Our 24 hour emergency line will be open and available to anyone who needs it. For non-emergency repairs, you can raise these using the Tenant Portal or our website and they will be picked up as soon as offices are open again. www.starhousing.org.uk/repairs-to-your-home/report-a-repair-form/ To make a rent payment, please call the automated phone line on 0345 678 9009 For Community Alarm faults please call 0300 333 6511 As in previous years, our email inboxes will not be monitored over this period.
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Customer Newsletter
Food Banks The festive period can be very difficult financially but there are foodbanks that can help you. Below are a list of food banks in our local areas. Albrighton Food Bank
St Mary’s Parish Centre, Vicarage Fields, off High Street, Albrighton, WV7 3EQ Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4pm delivery only 01902 373 160 www.albrightonparishchurch.org.uk/ albrightonfoodbank.htm
Bridgnorth Food Bank
Number Seven, West Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 4AB Monday 10.30am - 12.30pm 07960 285 520 www.bridgnorthfoodbank.co.uk contactus@bridgnorthfoodbank.co.uk
Oswestry & Borders Food Bank
56 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1QW Monday & Thursday 11am - 2pm 01691 671 940 www.oswestryandborders.foodbank.org.uk info@oswestryandborders.foodbank.org.uk Facebook: Oswestry and Borders Foodbank
Shifnal Food Bank
St Andrews Church, Church St, Shifnal TF11 9AB 07562 384 965 shifnalhelpfoodbank@shifnalbenefice.org.uk
The Highley Community Project
Severn Centre, Bridgnorth Road, Highley, WV16 6JG hcprojectshrops@gmail.com Facebook: The Highley Community Project
Broseley Foodbank
Community Centre, Wilkinson Avenue, Broseley, TF12 5DY 01952 360 013 www.facebook.com/Broseley-ResidentsCommittee-and-Food-Bank
Gobowen Food Bank
Preeshenlle United Reformed Church Schoolroom, St Martins Road Wednesday Mornings 10.00am - 12.00pm Delivery so contact them first, no referral needed 07907 972 657
Os westry & Borders Food Bank
For more information about food banks and emergency food, please visit:
www.shropshirelarder.org.uk/emergencyfood
Visit us online at www.starhousing.org.uk