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Extra! Extra!

There was just too much good information to put in this edition of Your Home.  Here's the best of the rest!

Top marks for Swarcliffe!

YH's Environmental and Estate Team in Swarcliffe achieved their highest ever score from Leeds City Council at a recent inspection. They were awarded 94% for keeping blocks of flats clean, safe and in good repair and ensuring the communal areas and open spaces on the estate are maintained and free from debris and rubbish. A customer at Sledmere Croft said, "The landings and rear garden are spotless the caretakers are always happy to help it’s a great job they do!”

New Community Group in Wakefield

A new residents association has been set up in Wakefield; the Belle Vue Community Association. The group includes Yorkshire Housing customers as well as Wakefield District Housing customers.

The aim of the group is to represent residents interests, promote social activities, work against discrimination in the community and foster a good relationship between the residents and the authorities. Keep an eye out for what they’re up to in Your Home and on the Yorkshire Housing website.

Changes to tax credits: do you need to increase your hours at work?

In April tax credits will change in a number of ways. Many people won’t be affected but for some the new rules will make a big difference.

Families in particular could feel the squeeze. The income limit for Child Tax Credit will reduce while the hours a couple must work to get Working Tax Credit will increase. Until now, a couple with children had to work at least 16 hours to be able to claim Working Tax Credit. From April they will have to work 24 hours between them. Many couples may struggle to increase their hours and could therefore lose out. (Couples where one partner is aged 60 or over, ill or in prison, or disabled and working will be exempt from this working hours change.)

Another change is that unfortunately a drop in income of £2,500 or less will be ignored. So, tax credits won’t increase if you have a small change in earnings.

Getting in touch with the Tax Credit Office promptly will become even more important. The office will need to know about beneficial changes within one month instead of the current three months. New claims can now only be backdated for one month rather than the previous three months.

If you have any concerns about this or you would like more details, please contact your Benefits and Money Advisor.

Day trippers!

The Holmewood Ethnic Minorities Group enjoy a range of activities. Recently, they spent a day in Malham Cove, see picture here. The Group hold regular intercultural cafes and meetings to help people from ethnic minorities settle into the Holme Wood community in Bradford. For more information about the group, please contact Virginie Lusandu on 01274 689 306 or email hem@holmewoodactivitycentre.co.uk

Safe driving for YH staff

Two YH staff members, Community Caretaker Brandon Booth and Fleet Co-ordinator Sue Bamford, are now qualified Driver Assessors. Brandon and Sue passed the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents course in January. With their qualifications, they will assess our drivers and identify any training needs as part of YH's Accident Reduction and Safety Plan.

Perfect Pancakes!

Members of the newly formed Skipton Dreamscheme enjoyed making pancakes for residents at Roughaw Close in Skipton. They made pancakes for themselves and residents and even took part in a pancake-tossing competition. The winner managed to toss a pancake an amazing 100 times! Young and old alike enjoyed their afternoon treat. Photo - pancakedreamscheme

Art skills for LifeWorks customers

Customers with learning disabilities, part of YH's LifeWorks scheme, have been taught some artistic skills by students at Immanuel College in Bradford. Six customers took part in a three week course to learn new art and craft activities, making Christmas themed decorated photo frames.

The course was put together by LifeWorks and Immanuel College to teach the YH customers new skills and promote social inclusion and awareness of disabilities with students.

Roughaw Close munch club

The residents of Roughaw Close in Skipton have really welcomed a new resident to their scheme. Ray Marfell moved to Roughaw Close last summer and his skills as a professional chef have made him very popular!

In addition to their daily coffee morning and weekly bingo sessions (for which Ray has become the new caller!), the residents have begun monthly "Munch Clubs", which Ray cooks for. They all put money towards the food and Ray creates a delicious two course meal for them. Roast pork and all the trimmings and meat and potato pie have been on previous menus and everyone enjoys it. Ray prepares all the vegetables the day before and then cooks enough food for the 20 residents, all in the kitchen of his small flat.

Not only did Ray cook for a pre-Christmas buffet at the scheme, he also cooked Christmas dinner and a buffet tea on Christmas Day for all the residents who weren't off visiting family.

To see Ray's easy, cheap Springtime recipe, turn to page 9 in the magazine.