Tenant Newsletter - January 2023

Hope4, the charity which runs Rugby Foodbank, has launched a search for an advice and information worker to support its team.

The new role involves working with foodbank clients to maximise income and address other concerns which can lead to the need for the foodbank's support, such as debt or cost of living issues.

The successful candidate supports clients throughout the process, working with financial specialists to provide expert, regulated money advice. The role, based at the Hope Centre in Newbold Road, also involves working with other local organisations to ensure clients receive timely and targeted support.

It's a job which can make a real difference to people's lives. For more information, and to apply, visit the Charity Job website.

 

The Hillmorton Hub offers friendship, refreshments, crafting and community support every Thursday.

Run by St John The Baptist Church, the hub meets at Rogers Hall in Deerings Road from 9am to 12 noon.

You can drop-in with a friend or visit with your children, but all visitors receive a warm welcome.

In addition to refreshments and crafting, you can also receive basic help with IT and advice on Universal Credit.

It's free to attend, though the church welcomes donations to support its work.

We asked Sharon Beckitt some questions about her role at Rugby Borough Council.

What does your job involve?

I deal with the day-to-day operational delivery of housing services for the council, which includes leading on rent management, tenancy and estates management, and allocations.  

Could you tell us what the best part of your job is?

Leading a team of dedicated staff who are passionate about delivering the best service to our tenants and transforming lives.  

And the worst part?

Probably enforcing tenancy breaches, but the flip side of this is we're helping safeguard our residents and communities.    

Can you tell us three things you’d like to achieve in your job in 2023?

I would like to get the restructure in place for my team so we can continue to deliver excellent tenants services to our residents.  

I would like to go live with our new customer portal to give the customer greater access to our services, and deliver proactive projects on our estates to improve our communities. 

What inspired you to do this role? 

I have worked for the council for more than a decade. I feel as if I bring my wealth of knowledge and experience to be able to perform in this role to ensure the residents of Rugby have the best service possible. I also enjoy leading and working within a team striving for continuous service improvement.

What achievement in your role has brought the most job satisfaction?

During the pandemic in 2020, I led the team in staying in contact with our residents during lockdowns and I was also responsible for distributing £100,000 from the Discretionary Housing Payment budget to support our tenants with rent payments.   

Our next Tenant Panel meeting takes place on Thursday 23 February at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

The meeting takes place from 1pm to 3pm. We know it's half-term, so feel free to bring your children, who can enjoy a range of arts and crafts activities while the meeting takes place.

If you want to attend, email your details to rbc.tenants@rugby.gov.uk along with any questions you'd like to ask us.

We looking forward to seeing you.

 

The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy offers a wide range of free courses and workshops designed to empower your mental health and wellbeing.

Run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, the academy delivers both face-to-face and online courses for anyone over the age of 18 who wants to better manage or understand mental health and wellbeing.

Friends, family, staff and carers can all attend, with courses designed to encourage learning together.

The academy works with a range of partners to deliver courses and workshops, and there's no need to be academically-minded - there's no tests, exams or assessments.

For an idea on what the academy can offer, take a look at the following online courses - all taking place on Saturday 4 February:

• Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People with Emotionally-based School Avoidance (9am to 11am)
• Understanding and Supporting Children aged 12+ with Anxiety (12 noon to 2pm)
• Understanding Emotional Regulation in School Aged Children (2.30pm to 4.30pm)

You can find out more information and enrol on courses at the Recovering and Wellbeing Academy website.

 

You can discover a host of job and training opportunities currently available in Rugby at the Indian Community Centre, Edward Street, this Thursday (19 January).

The event, organised by Warwickshire County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, runs from 10am to 2pm.

You can chat to employers and training providers about vacancies and training opportunities in a wide variety of sectors, with both full and part-time roles available.

No CV? No experience?

No problem - the event also includes all the support you need from experienced training and skills providers.

Just drop-in on the day.

Cold weather can cause health issues, especially for those over 65 and those who cannot afford to keep homes warm.

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Heat your home to a temperature which you're comfortable with. If possible, at least 18°C in the rooms you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. Remember, it's best to keep bedroom windows closed at night.

The NHS website has a range of information about keeping warm and well this winter.

Visit the NHS website for its winter advice

Remember, Rugby Borough Council's website also has a host of information to help you deal with rising cost of living, from making sure you're receiving the benefits you're entitled to, to help with your energy bills.

View the council's Help for Households information

You can also find information about warm hubs operating in Rugby: www.rugby.gov.uk/warmhubs 

If you're still searching for a New Year's resolution or just want to make a difference in 2023, have you considered volunteering?

Rugby has a wide range of volunteering opportunities on offer and you can find out more on Thursday (January 19) at the Rugby CAVA Volunteering Fair 2023.

You can speak to voluntary organisations and find out about opportunities which can help you meet new people, develop new skills and make a positive contribution to your community.

The Volunteering Fair takes place from 10am to 2pm at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

You can find out more information about volunteering on the Warwickshire CAVA website.