Newsletter for the Eden Area – Dementia and Covid-19 This week’s edition focuses on support for those with Dementia, aiming to give information, guidance and details of useful contacts during these challenging times. Please click here for the full newsletter.   Daily updated information about Covid-19 is available on the Cumbria County Council website – https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Hot off the press is our Spring Edition of Viewpoint. Click here to check out all our latest news.

  Eden Housing Association continues to build new homes with seven underway in Penrith and plans for more this year Eden Housing Association is continuing to build affordable homes in Eden, with seven properties underway at Brent Road in Penrith and plans to start building up to seventeen more later this year. The plot at Brent Road in Penrith is currently being developed to make best use of land that included unused garages recently described as ‘an eyesore’. Two semi-detached two bedroomed houses are being built and presented for sale as shared ownership, alongside five two bedroomed bungalows which will be offered for rent to local people over fifty five. At a cost of around £800,000, these homes give new purpose to this land and reduces the risk of anti-social behaviour. Even more importantly, it provides retirement homes for older residents in Penrith and an opportunity for younger people to step onto the property ladder. Built on the edge of woodland, the engineers and contractors have bolstered the banks of the wood with sheet piling to prevent any potential slippage. Reinforced retaining walls mean the gardens of four bungalows will have a private outlook and give a real sense of…

Three Housing Association Chiefs will be finding out what it is like to really suffer the cold when they take part in the Big Sleep – the Cumbrian event organised by Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) to raise awareness and funds for their Winter Warmth Fund.  The Housing Chiefs set themselves a target of raising over £1000 and are geared up for a cold night at Windermere. John Clasper Managing Director of Eden Housing Association has taken part in the event in the past and was keen to rally other housing leaders to participate. In November Mike Muir, CEO at Impact Housing, Cath Purdy, CEO at South Lakes Housing and Stephanie Murphy from Two Castles Housing Association all agreed to join John at the Big Sleep, raising the profile and gathering pounds to support the Winter Warmth Fund. This is the third year for what has become an annual CCF appeal, which has so far raised £55,000. John Clasper said “ I remember being without heating in my own home during one winter for only a couple of days and how miserable that made me feel, in Eden District we have a higher rate of older people than in most parts…

The floods in December 2015 hit many homes and communities throughout Eden.  If you have been affected and are in need of alternative accommodation as a direct result of the floods please do not hesitate to contact our Housing Advice Service on 01768 861400. Please note there is no distinction whatsoever made between social and affordable housing tenants, private renters or owner-occupiers for this service. For information we have also attached a copy of the up to date Cumbria Flood Factsheet below. Eden Newsletter – 2016 04 29 PDF (2) Eden Housing Association is supporting the Cumbria Community Foundation 2015 Flood Recovery Appeal.  

School pupils will be watching the road for traffic this week, watching out for white vans with a difference. A project led by two Cumbrian businesses has enabled students at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School to stretch their creativity by designing a van bonnet that expresses how they feel about their local community. The winning designs are now covering two PPM Ltd vans that travel across Eden. PPM Ltd, the Cumbrian property maintenance company has been providing day to day property maintenance service to Eden Housing Association for three years. Keen to develop their partnership in the community, PPM Ltd has joined forces with EHA Community Development Team to develop an apprenticeship roadshow visited Kirkby Stephen Grammar School to talk about apprenticeships with year ten and eleven students. This visit led PPM Ltd.’s Managing Director Gordon McGregor to consider how they could stimulate students to think more about their community and possibly discover a new range of job opportunities. Liaising with Sarah Bowman, Community Development Officer at Eden Housing Association, and teacher Mrs Modlin, (also Careers Advisor for the school), they launched a creative project to design a PPM van bonnet. Sarah Bowman, Community Development Officer at Eden Housing Association said…

Residents of Eden Housing Association’s Extra Care Housing Scheme in Kirkby Stephen held a coffee morning to raise money for the local medical practice. Baking cakes and pouring coffee raised £120. The Mill Gardens Extra Care Scheme was officially opened this summer, with a full house of residents present for the launch. Keen to ensure they maintained their strong connection with the Kirkby Stephen area, residents organised a coffee morning, inviting the local community to attend. Eden Housing Association’s Support and Activities Co-ordinator Debi Wilkinson and Sylvia Ganner, the Extra Care Co-ordinator were on hand to help with the event, but it was the residents themselves that gathered raffle prizes, baked cakes and made refreshments to welcome visitors to the event.   The gathering raised £120 which was presented to Janet Allonby, Lead Receptionist at the Upper Eden Medical Practice. Debi Wilkinson Support and Activities Co-ordinator said “The residents got together to decide which cause they wanted to support, they were quite clear that they wanted the money to be used in our local area and the Upper Eden Medical Centre was a clear winner. Our residents like to be active and they get together on a very regular basis. This…

Shaping the future of their organisation, board members and the leadership team at Eden Housing Association (EHA) concentrated their thoughts at their annual strategic away day. With the unexpected changes to social housing announced by the Government in the Summer budget, the EHA strategic planning day was brought forward and provided an ideal opportunity for the four most recent board members to make a valuable contribution to Eden Housing Association’s future direction. Ian Tupling became a board member when Lowther Housing Association transferred its stock to Eden Housing Association. He was their long standing Vice Chair and has close involvement with rural housing issues. The other more recent additions to the board in 2015 include Fra Cooke who has over 20 years’ experience in organisational change and strategic management in commercial and not for profit organisations and Simon Hunt, a chartered accountant for over fifteen years, with extensive experience in change management and planning and currently working in the NHS. The fourth addition to the board is Hugh Harrison, Chair of the Associations tenant and resident assembly and with close to 50 years experience as a former Parish and District Councillor. The Government’s budget announcement that housing associations will be…

There were two special events taking part in Eden last week, the most high profile was the Tour of Britain which travelled across Eden on Thursday 10th September. The second celebration was a quieter, but none the less significant affair for one resident of Brough and his family. Mr Robert Dent marked his 100th birthday at home with his family and friends. Mr Dent is one of Eden Housing Association’s (EHA) oldest tenants and still lives independently in a bungalow that has been his home for over 25 years. Aware of the impending century milestone, the Association asked if they could pay a visit to mark the occasion.   John Clasper Managing Director at EHA wished Robert Dent a happy birthday, presenting him with a card featuring a vintage truck and books on vintage wagons – a subject that has been a passion for Mr Dent for decades. Commenting on his visit John Clasper said “It is an honour to be able to wish one of our tenants a happy 100th birthday in person, even rarer to be present when a card from the Queen arrives – special delivery, followed by a telegram from Ian Duncan Smith at the Department…

Launch of new scheme at Mill Gardens, Kirkby Stephen. Front: Henry Barker EHA Chairman, Parish Councillor Joan Johnstone and Geoff Cook, Vice Chairman Cumbria County Council Eden Housing Association’s new extra care scheme in Kirkby Stephen was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 8th September) by Parish Councillor Joan Johnstone. Mill Gardens was originally a sheltered housing scheme built in 1977, but its bedsit accommodation became dated and was becoming no longer fit for modern day living. After considering whether to refurbish and remodel the existing building it was decided that it would prove far better value to provide a brand new facility. Therefore in 2013 the old building was demolished to make way for this new, modern, and future proofed extra care scheme for the benefit of not only residents but the local community. At a cost of £3.1 million, the new ‘Mill Gardens’ scheme features nineteen self-contained apartments as well as communal facilities and gardens that meet the support, care and housing needs of local residents. Work on the old site began in September 2013, once the remaining residents of the sheltered scheme had been found alternative accommodation. The £3.1 million cost to create the Mill Gardens scheme allowed for three…

A partnership linking Eden Housing Association and The Cumbria Law Centre has seen Eden tenants benefit from an estimated £1/2 million in welfare and debt relief. The Cumbria Law Centre has linked with Eden Housing Association (EHA) since April 2013, offering their tenants specialist help in welfare benefits and debt matters. Case workers and Solicitors work two days each week, using EHA offices in Penrith as a base to meet tenants who have pre-booked appointments. As well as help with debt relief, the team will negotiate with creditors and provide budgeting advice. The Cumbria Law Centre is an independent charity offering specialist legal advice and casework in housing, debt, welfare benefits and employment matters. Last year they worked on 213 cases for EHA’s tenants, and whilst a few were simple advisory issues, most involved substantial legal casework. 500K+ welfare and debit relief for Eden residents   Contact details: For more information about this press release or for pictures contact Tracey Errington on: 07799 640 290 or email [email protected]

Following the withdrawal of bus service subsidies by Cumbria County Council in November 2014 a group of community activist got together to re-instate the 106 bus service which ran between Kendal and Penrith. In February 2015 the service was back on the road thanks to funding from Parish Councils and Eden Housing Association. The group pledged to bring the service back, initially for three days per week for one year. Since the launch of the new service, usage has been better than expected and the group are now investigating ways to keep it running on a long term basis. To celebrate the new service and encourage more users the 106 Partnership has launched a promotion where children (under 16) can use the service for just £1 for one week in August. Services benefitting from the promotion will run on Tuesday 11th, Thursday 13th and Friday 14th August. NR 106 Partnership promotion Aug 15   Contact details  For more information about this press release or for pictures contact Tracey Errington on:  07799 640 290 or email [email protected]

    As part of their training and development programme, Eden Housing Association’s (EHA) Community Development Team have been working with partners to highlight the potential of apprenticeships for youngsters considering their next move. Working with Partnering in Property Management (PPM) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the apprenticeship roadshow visited Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, held two drop in sessions at Blain House, Penrith and linked with INSPIRA’s NEET programme to discuss various apprenticeships available across a number of industries. The results were immediate, with keen interest in at least two apprenticeship opportunities.  Click on the link below for full press release. Eden Housing Association highlights the potential of apprenticeships to schools For more information about apprenticeship roadshow or any community events, contact the Community Development Team on 01768 861400 or email  [email protected] Contact details  For more information about this press release or for pictures contact Tracey Errington on:  07799 640 290 or email [email protected]

Greystoke celebrates launch of new homes during Rural Housing Week  Timed to co-inside with Rural Housing Week, Eden Housing Association and Greystoke residents celebrated the launch of three new village homes on Wednesday 8th July. The bungalows have been designed and built to meet the needs of older people. They include air source heating systems to help keep the cost of living in a rural location as affordable as possible. Eden Housing Association is committed to providing affordable homes in rural areas and already has nineteen bungalows at Castle Gardens in Greystoke. The additional three properties named ‘Petteril Mews’, sit next door to Castle Gardens and were built on land previously siting six very small garages. Owned by the Association, the land was earmarked for redevelopment at a cost of over £410,000. £114,505 grant funding was received from the Homes & Communities Agency. Living in rural locations can often be thought of as idyllic but, it can often come at a disproportionate cost. The high cost of utilities in off-gas supply areas, running a car where no regular public transport exists can lead to large weekly outgoings, not easy when disposable incomes are low. These new two bedroomed bungalows in…

New play equipment officially swung into action on Wednesday 27th May – a day of celebration in Penrith when the Milton Street Play area was officially opened. A group of Penrith residents came together with Eden Housing Association (EHA) and Inspira to make a difference to the Milton Street Play area in the town. They set up the ‘Fun on the Field’ committee which raised £44,000 to improve the play equipment and area for youngsters. The eight new pieces of equipment have been installed and the school holiday created the perfect opportunity to mark the official launch.  See below link for full press release. Fun on the field swings into action for opening of play area For more information about this project contact Jenny Webb, Eden Housing Association’s Community Development Officer on 01768 861400 or email [email protected] Contact details  For more information about this press release or for pictures contact Tracey Errington on:  07799 640 290 or email [email protected]

 Back row – EHA’s Eddie Allen with resident Malcolm Caruthers front: EHA Assistant Director of Housing and Support Carolyn Greenhalgh with Lynn Barnes from Vista Veg The first of the 2015 training events run by Eden Housing Association (EHA) took place under plastic earlier this month. Held in the newly established community poly-tunnel on Greystoke Road, Penrith the EHA ‘Grow Your Own’ training was combined with an open day designed to introduce the community to the new poly-tunnel and the idea of growing fruit and vegetables together. To read full press release – Growing appeal for community poly-tunnel project For more information about this project, or to get involved, please contact Sarah Bowman, Eden Housing Association’s Community Development Officer on 01768 861400 or email [email protected]  Contact details  For more information about this press release or for pictures contact Tracey Errington on:  07799 640 290 or email [email protected]

            Community defibrillator fitted in Appleby Appleby’s third community defibrillator – the first on an out of town housing scheme, has just been installed thanks to the Eden Lifeline Project and strong local partnerships. The life-saving equipment has been fitted at the entrance of Rampkin House, the towns extra care housing scheme run by Eden Housing Association. This latest achievement is a fine example of rural communities and organisations working together to make a life changing difference in areas where residents often have limited access to essential services. Appleby community celebrates new defib machine at Rampkin House – final

Contractors have officially handed over the Mill Gardens extra care development to Eden Housing Association and tenants are looking forward to moving in through April. Contractors hand over new Extra Care scheme to Eden Housing Association