Congratulations to everyone who has received results! We know that some young people may feel worried about what the future holds for them, particularly during a pandemic. But as many of us at Cairn Housing Group know, there is #NoWrongPath!
You can find out more about what careers suit your skills, interests, experience and personality here. And you can find out about apprenticeships here.

 We are seeking to recruit new Board Members who have a real desire and interest in helping our organisation achieve its aims and objectives and contribute towards providing an excellent service to our tenants and the local community.
 
Ancho is a housing association with 850 properties for social rent and provides factoring services to 200 owner occupiers with the majority in North Ayrshire.  It has an annual turnover of £3.1m and is a registered social landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator.  Ancho is part of the Cairn Housing Group, following the establishment of the constitutional partnership with Cairn Housing Association in November 2018, the Group provides homes and services in communities across Scotland.
Our Mission is to provide quality, safe, affordable homes and services, in our communities and with our partners, throughout Scotland. Our Values are Customer First, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, One Team.
 
Ancho’s Board has responsibility for good governance and direction of the service, supported by the local Ancho staff team and the Executive Team at Cairn. We are looking for interested parties who can commit to attending up to 9 meetings per year (currently Thursday evenings online via Teams).  As part of our succession and development approach we encourage and support Board members’ personal development through induction, mentoring, training, seminars and conferences or study visits and involvement in working groups across the Cairn Housing Group.  You will receive a Laptop, email account and IT support to facilitate attendance at virtual meetings.  As a voluntary position you will not be paid but travel to attend meetings and other expenses are reimbursed in line with the Group Entitlements, Payments and Benefits Policy
 
We are committed to improving equality and diversity on our Board and welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under-represented groups, and we would be keen to hear from you if you have experience in the following areas:-
 
·         Ancho Tenants
·         Law / Charity Law
 
If you wish to discuss this matter informally, or for further details and an Application Pack please contact: Carolyn Owens, Governance Services Manager, on Tel: 0800 990 3405, email carolyn.owens@cairnha.com or write to us at  Cairn Housing Group, 22 Hopetoun Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4GH.
 
Closing date for applications is Monday 2 August 2021. Interviews will take place w/c 9 August 2021.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Not only do indoor plants enhance the overall appearance of a space, but they’ve been shown to boost mood, increase creativity, and reduce stress. Don’t think you’re green fingered? Read on to find plants that are impossible to kill.

Indoor plants don’t just look good – they can make us feel good, too. Studies have shown that indoor plants:

• Boost your mood, productivity, concentration and creativity
• Reduce your stress, fatigue, sore throats and colds
• Help clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity & producing oxygen
• Add life to a sterile space, give privacy and reduce noise levels
• Are therapeutic to care for

Here are some of the easiest to look after…

​Spider Plants
These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Situate in bright light away from direct sunlight and they will flourish. Let the top third of the soil dry out before watering again and make sure the plant doesn’t sit in water as this will lead to root rot.

Sansevieria (Snake Plants / Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
If you’re a forgetful gardener then fear not, these plants thrive on neglect and are well-equipped for long periods of drought – they can go weeks without watering. Only water once the soil has completely dried out. They are happy in most levels of light from full sunlight to a dim north-facing room.

ZZ Plants
These plants thrive off neglect and dry soil, just like the Sansevieria. They are also very slow growing so won’t need frequent repotting. They are great statement plants for shady corners. If you truly can’t keep anything alive, this is the plant for you. Only water when the soil is completely dried out.

Pothos
These plants are incredibly fast growing so great if you want to create a statement in a short period of time. They will tolerate shadier spots as well as bright, indirect light.

Succulents and cacti
These types of plants are slow-growing and will withstand tremendous abuse. They do best with bright light (think the sunniest windowsill you have) and little water. Try to replicate the desert conditions these plants naturally grow in and you won’t go far wrong.

There may be times when you find pests in your home. We understand it’s not pleasant. It’s really important that we work together to try and make sure your home is free of infestations. Even the cleanest homes can become host to unwelcome visitors, no matter how careful you are.
We have put together some advice and information on a range of common pests and used the Pied Piper as a resource aid.

Whose responsibility is it?

Dealing with a pest infestation is usually your responsibility as a tenant.
As a landlord, it is our responsibility to deal with any infestation where pests have gained access through a defect in the fabric of the building, or if the infestation is within a communal area, where the tenant is unable to take appropriate steps to treat the issue themselves.
If it is your responsibility, but the infestation is so severe that you cannot reasonably be expected to manage the issue yourself, we may assist you and pass on the cost for treatment to you as a rechargeable repair. We will always advise you if this is the case before arranging treatment.

What can you do?

It is important to take preventative action to discourage pests in your home. Ensure your home, including common areas, are kept clean and tidy. To deter pests, it is essential that you:

• Avoid feeding birds around your home
• Clean all surfaces thoroughly to remove crumbs
• Make sure waste bins are covered, emptied and cleaned regularly
• Make sure gaps behind kitchen appliances, such as cookers and fridges, are cleaned regularly
• Do not store food on the floor and keep all food stored in sealed containers
• Make sure any minor leaks in your home are reported and dealt with promptly to ensure that there is no potential water source
• Keep your home free from clutter
• Wash and dry your bed sheets on the hottest temperature you can
• If you buy second-hand furniture or clothing, inspect them carefully before bringing them into your home
• Block up any small gaps that a pest could access. Replace any damaged or poorly fitting finishings and neatly seal any gaps with an expanding foam or a silicone sealant
• If you are a cat or dog owner, regularly treat your pet with a suitable flea treatment. You can ask your vet for more information about this
• Ensure that any pet food is also properly stored in sealed containers and off the ground and that any leftover food is cleared up straight away

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats can cause damage to your home and furnishings by chewing through electrical wires, increasing the risk of fire and electrocution. They are most active at night which makes it easier to spot signs of a problem rather than the rodent itself.

If the issue is inside your home we will send out a pest control contractor to investigate and treat. There may be a recharge for this if the infestation is caused by poor hygiene. If the issue is outside you may be able to keep mice under control using traps or poison which can be bought in most DIY stores. You can contact your local council to find out if they provide a service to remove rats and mice.

Bees and Wasps

Bees are not pests. Honeybees must not be killed as they are useful pollinators and are protected by law. However, they may be re-homed with a local beekeeper.

First, check if what you have are bees or wasps. This may sound rather obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make. Wasps and honeybees are about the same size, but wasps have black and bright yellow stripes. Honeybees are brown and less vibrantly coloured than wasps. Bumblebees are furry. You can find out more about how to tell the difference here. If you are experiencing serious issues with wasps in your home, we will send out our pest control contractor. If the problem is in a shed or outbuilding it will be your responsibility to arrange for treatment.

We will not get rid of bees. If you think you have a honeybee swarm, please contact the Scottish Beekeepers Association which provides help and advice. You can find your local beekeeping association on their website.

Ants

Treat them using an ant spray or powder which you can purchase in most DIY stores. Treat the nest if you can find it. You may be able to locate it by following the trail of ants. If you can’t reach the nest, treat all entry points to your home (doors, windows and drains). The ants should carry the insecticide back to their nest. Carefully follow the instructions provided with the treatment and be especially careful if there are children and dogs in your home.
Further guidance can be found here.

Birds

Most UK birds are protected so it is illegal to remove their eggs and nests or disturb them once they have begun nesting. Although they can be noisy, they seldom cause any damage and their nesting period is fairly short. We advise you to take a note of where the birds have nested and then call us to remove it once they have left the nest.

Squirrels

Scotland’s native red squirrels are specially protected since their numbers having fallen drastically, mainly due to the rise of the grey squirrel.

Grey squirrels don’t receive any protection and are considered a pest. If you have grey squirrels in your loft space, we can send out a pest control contractor to investigate and treat. For more information or to report a squirrel sighting visit here.

Fleas

Fleas from pet cats and dogs don’t spread disease but flea bites can be itchy and uncomfortable for you and your pets.

To deal with fleas, treat your pets, bedding, furniture and carpets with flea sprays or powders. If you are unsure of which type to use, you may wish to speak to a vet for advice. To prevent fleas, you can treat your dogs and cats regularly. Again, speak to your vet for advice.

Bedbugs / Dust Mites

Bedbugs are visible to the naked eye and are around the size of a watermelon seed. They generally don’t live inside the mattress, but on the seams of mattresses, bed slats, frames, bedside cabinets and even the pleats of curtains. The only way these should be tackled by yourself is with a steamer. In most cases, however, a professional treatment will be required. Using DIY chemicals will not be effective and you could end up dispersing them and turning it into a far bigger problem.

Dust mites live in mattresses and bedding. They can make your symptoms worse if you suffer from eczema, asthma or any other breathing problems. Dust mites prefer warm, humid environments. To keep them under control, wash your bedding regularly at 60°C and try to keep your bedroom cool and well ventilated. 

Some animals and birds may be protected, such as bats. They should not be removed or killed without you first getting specialist advice on what is the best course of action to take.
Looking after your health and safety

Please try preventative methods first before considering the use of pest control. If you do need to use a product, please consider the following:

• Read the instructions fully before use and only use products for their intended purpose
• Only use domestic products aimed at use in the home
• Don’t use outdoor products inside
• Only use the recommended amount of a product
• Be sure to wear any personal protective equipment (for example, protective gloves) recommended in the instructions, and wash your hands thoroughly after use. Avoid any contact with skin, eyes and clothing
• Keep your children and pets well away from areas where you are using pest control products
• Properly dispose of pest control products in accordance with the instructions
• Deal with any spillages immediately and in accordance with the product instructions
• Keep all products tightly closed, safely and securely stored and well out of the way of children, pets and wildlife
• If you become ill after using the product, follow the instructions on the packet and obtain medical advice immediately. For a pet, call your vet. For wildlife, call the relevant animal charity

Happy #PRIDE month! Ancho are proud to support our LGBTQ+ community this month and beyond. You are loved, seen and heard. Click the image to access our round-up of resources.

Reading
Want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community? Here’s a roundup of some of the best books from the last few years.

Documentaries
Books not your thing? If you prefer a documentary we’ve got you covered too. This list of documentaries is a good place to start!
​
Pronouns
Do you know what a pronoun is and why they matter so much? Click here to find out more about them, including what to do if you make a mistake.

Ancho’s Board members have chosen to volunteer because they want the lives of Ancho’s tenants to be the best they can be. We’re searching for likeminded tenants to join them in shaping the future of the organisation.

Board members come from all walks of life. Diversity is so important; it allows us to utilise the countless skills and experiences that different people acquire over time. And the experience of an Ancho tenant is incredibly valuable to us. After all, no one knows our services better than you.

​As part of our governing body, you’ll make strategic business decisions about the management of Ancho, including key policy and budget decisions. If you’d like to become a member of our Board, please get in touch. Training, support and mentoring is available to all Board members

In our last email newsletter, sent in February, we asked you what you thought about the service you receive when you get in touch with the Ancho team. The survey received 33 responses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill it in.

Well done to Neil Turner from Irvine who is the winner of our £50 voucher.

When you phone Ancho, what qualities are most important to you?

The top three responses for tenants were:

• the friendliness and professionalism of staff
• that our staff can give you helpful and accurate information
• that our staff fully understands why you have called

How satisfied are you with how quickly we answer your calls?

Unsatisfied 23%
Satisfied 77%

What other feedback do you have?

• Happy
• Doing great
• No feedback other than wanting to move of this building sooner rather than later
• The past few times I’ve phoned it’s been a lady called Lynn. Each time she’s been very friendly and always helpful with the queries that I’ve been calling about
• For Ancho employees to realise we are all under pressure and not to be so judgemental regarding rent payments before listing or realising the way we have always paid
• Since Ancho have merged it is a better service I sometimes find it hard to catch the name of the person I am speaking to as they speak so quickly.
• The colleagues I speak to on the phone always are very friendly and always sort out any issues
• Sometimes unclear as to whether responder has the right information
• Still repairs needing done!
• Always helpful and kind Never any issues. Always there when needed. Brilliant housing association

​It was great to get some positive feedback about our team. Our Board are looking at your feedback when they set new targets for how quickly we answer calls or digital enquiries. We’ll have more to update you on in the next email bulletin.

We have just posted out our Ancho newsletter for Spring 2021! The newsletter will be arriving through your letterbox in the next couple of days. 

As part of the partnership with Cairn Housing Association, Ancho tenants have an affordable rent guarantee which means rents will be raised at Consumer Price Index (CPI) only. This year that meant a 0.5% increase.

We wrote to all tenants in December to ask your views on the proposed 0.5% rent increase for 2021/22.
 
A total of 4 responses were received. This represents 0.6% of all letters issued. Of those that responded, two tenants were positive towards the proposed increase, and two held negative views towards the proposals.

Our Board met at the beginning of February to discuss the results of the consultation and, after considering all of the responses, have agreed to approve the proposed 0.5% rent increase. This will be applied from 1 April 2021.